A. Lange & Söhne

foversta
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Part 2: the Grande Complication

It is not so easy to speak about the Grande Complication and to give my own feelings. I could see the watch in its cabinet, I saw it working including the Foudroyante but I didn't wear it nor handle it. Pictures were not allowed. The watch is obviously not achieved and I don't know what is exactly missing. I understand the comments of some of you who think that Lange shouldn't have unveiled a watch which is not ready. But I think that the time was the right one.

First of all, we are speaking about a superlative watch which requires 1 year to be assembled. Only 6 will be produced.
Secondly, if the production starts now, the first watch will be delivered in 2014... which is perfect to celebate the 20th anniversary of the first collection.
And thirdly, the Grande Complication has a key role in Lange communication. In that sense, the sooner, the better.

Of course, the inspiration of the pocket watch 42500 is obvious. If you remember well, the watch was displayed at the Lange booth at the 2010 SIHH and at that time, we knew that a big surprise would come.

The Grande Complication needed 7 years of development but we don't find this kind of information using the movement reference: it doesn't follow the usual Lange nomenclature (L.1902): 1902 is the year when the 42500 was sold to a resident of Vienna for 5.600 marks.

You will need to spend a bit more to purchase its 2013 version because we are very close to the 2.000.000 EUR. Huge figures? Maybe... but at this level, figures have a different meaning.

The most tricky part for Lange will be, despite this price, to select the happy 6 owners. A lot of care and psychology will be required to explain the choices to the non-selected people!

One interesting point is to see that the dial doesn't feature the big date system. It is also the case of the 1815 Rattrapante PC. A new trend? I see it as a tribute to the classic pocket watch which leads to a new way to organize the dial lay-out. Moreover the big date system requires room and in very complicated watches, any gain of room for maneuver is welcome.

The case is bulky (50mm with a height of 20,3mm) and I can imagine the weight of the watch. The lugs have a special shape in order to make the watch wearable: they seem to "dive". I also understand some comments about these dimensions. The result would have been even more beautiful with a more contained size. But we also have to take into account the way the German watchmakers structure the movements.

Anyway, I hope to be able one day to see it completed, to put it on my wrist and to enjoy it at least a few seconds to experience the feelings to have the most complicated Lange wristwatch on my wrist. Sure that it would be an unforgettable moment!