The Richard Lange family
Connoisseurs and perfectionists are never satisfied with anything less than the best.
Together high expectations have to be fulfilled. Connoisseurs and perfectionists have to be pleased. Quite a challenge!
- RL (introduced in 2006; available in YG, RG and PT)
- RL Referenzuhr (introduced in 2010; available in RG / 75 pieces and PT / 50 pieces )
- RL Pour le Mérite (introduced in 2009; available in RG / 200 pieces and PT / 50 pieces -)
The case diameter of all three watches is 40.5mm, but the height is different (10.5mm, 11.2mm and 10.7mm).
- RL - Calibre L041.2 with Lange hairspring and 199 parts
- RL Referenzuhr - Calibre L033.1 without Lange hairspring and 276 parts
- RL Pour le Mèrite - Calibre L044.1 with Lange hairspring and 279 parts (without the 636 parts of the chain)
All three current family members share the same roots, the painstaking execution of all components, the finishing touches andRichard Lange was introduced first. However, from the name of the calibres you can tell that it was not the first one developed. The development of the RL Referenzuhr have the same case diameter. Apart of this, there are lots of differences - the complexity of the movements, the dials, the prices and so on. The “simple” (Calibre L033.1) already started in 2003, one year before its brothers, but it was the last one introduced. Did it take 7 years to develop the movement or did they hold it back for another reason? To be honest, I don´t know.
When it was unveiled in 2010, it was not love at the first sight. To me the dial seemed unbalanced and there was no sweep second hand. The style was somehow too technical for my taste and I was not immediately impressed by the Zero Restart function, to be honest. It took me a while until I could appreciate the technical details and it was the “look” of the movement which finally convinced me. It is still growing.
Once you get used to the asymmetric layout, it looks nice on the wrist, doesn´t it?
It is a very exclusive precision instrument, with lots of room for romance. A feast for the eyes!
But (yes, there is a but), not everything on that watch is “perfect”: the price and the somehow technical look of the movement. I know both points are VERY subjective. Don´t get me wrong, the buyer gets a lot of gorgeous details (some mentioned already above) for the money. Unfortunately, most of the watch aficionados can´t afford it. Even when they safe up for a long time, it will be sold out.
The whole chain is 16 centimetre long. Can you imagine, only the chain has 636 parts and they are tiny – just so tiny.
… and three more pictures of the version in red gold …
- RL – for the purist
- RL Referenzuhr – for the techie
- RL Pour le Mérite – for the purist & techie (with deep pockets)
- All three – a watch collector with focus on the topic precision (and deep pockets)
- Tradition doesn´t preserve the ashes of days done by. Tradition passes on the fire
- The most essential requirement for the precision of a watch is the harmonious interplay of all its components
- The more complex time becomes, the easier it should be to handle
- There is no perfection of the whole without perfecting each part
- Beauty does not just lie in the eye of the beholder. It is always a matter of perspective, too
WOW Oliver
Now, somehow the normal RL in PT seems familiar ;-)
Cheers,
Dirk
Very interesting post, Oliver.
The only one which doesn't speak to me is the referenz uhr... Its unbalanced dial still leaves me cold, as when I saw it in Geneva, at the beginning of this year.
To me, it is a kind of small " 31 days " which is far frm being my favourite Lange watch.
Now, the " Simple " RL, and the elusive RL PLM sing very loud to my ears.
Give me the black dial you photoshopped, and I make the plunge.
Thanks for this very interesting reading and comparison post, my friend.
Best.
Nicolas.
I'm with you on this regarding the ReferenzUhr mon ami.
I don't even get it, till today!
A bientot
Stephen
Excellent post Oliver.
I'm sure that this collection hasn't unveiled all its potential and that more surprises will come... maybe with additional complications ?
I would also like to see another Lange with a big second hand.
At the end, I think that my fav RL is the "classic" RL in Platinum. I really love its dial and its sobriety.
My only regret with this watch is the huge price gap between the Platinum and the Gold versions. Please, please, is it possible to imagine a WG version of this watch (Xmas wish...) ?
Congrats for your post Oliver.
Fr.Xavier
The classic Richard Lange is very very subtle and sublime!
I love it too!
A bientot
Stephen
Superb write-up Oliver
As I've said many times before, the Richard Lange Pour Le Merite is my favorite timepeice from the entire A. Lange & Soehne collection.
Thank you for the comprehensive report that categorizes the Richard Lange family.
A few then for you my brother
Do accept my sincerest apologies for having to always use the same photos over and over again, I have not been capturing my RL PLM on the film as of late.
But please, enjoy your favourite watch, as I do mine.
Have a great weekend brother!
Stephen
Elegance at its finest.
Thank you for the beautiful photos of the beautiful watch.
And thank you for the good weekend wishes!
Many thanks Oliver...
I prefer the "simple" RL but I am easily pleased by the simple things in life.
WG with black dial? My first impression is WOW! But my love for blued hands may be stronger.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Richard.
I would personally prefer a black dialed (enamel) platinum piece again!
And a high five mate on the blued steel hands love!
Have a g'day in Oz!
Stephen
Oh my... Oliver, great write-up!
Thank you again for your write up. Very informative and educational.
Best,
Ken
Ein vielen Danke mein Perfekt Freund!
Guten morgan!
How pleasurable it is to awake on this sunny saturday morning here in Japan to such a perfect article! It is rare indeed to see such a well-written piece on my absolute most favourite family at A Lange & Sohne!
Some facts that you have pointed out are interesting ( e.g. the earlier start to the development of the ReferenzUhr, yet it's later release) Very much appreciated.
While i would love to be the owner of all 3 wondrous masterpieces, one has to be honest to oneself, and for me the ReferenzUhr still has not gotten to my heart yet, not would it ever i think. There is a huge and fundamental part to this precision chronometer that I disagree. But oh well, we all have our opinions.
As such, I have to be contented with only 2 out of 3 in the family. But these 2 are virtually my most zero-mistake, zero-regret watch decisions that I have ever made. If i had extra funds i would purchase more of the same piece, ( e.g. the pink gold RL PLM, probably the only time i would make this exception e.g. non-platinum for a Lange) and if i could travel back in time to relive the euphoria when purchasing the watch I would do it all over again. And again, And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.
My first and original Richard Lange in Platinum with "Stephen" Blue alligator strap with Platinum wirings stitching. Still my daily observatory watch. And winner over the Journe and Voutilainen.
My Uber Perfekt Richard Lange " Pour le Merite " in Platinum with it's 3 times factory-returned-finally-very-almost-nearly perfect 3 parts enamel dial.Just look at it shimmer in the light
A movement that excites me like no other, and can tickle the deepest recesses of me and fuel my passion for the next 7,777,777 years.
And the statement that me and my family has trusted for generations. " Made in Germany", or as i personally would prefer to say it " Hergestellt in Deutschland". Perfekt.
I particularly like your written conclusion to the article, on the type of the puristS who would purchase these watch. I agree to them, and more!
Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication to this topic of ultimate precision, and the timepieces that were crafted in the ore mountains to substantiate this claim, and to pave the way into the future with pure classicism. Above the rest.
On a final note, it would be of high interest to me, and others as well, as to what Lange can further develop to in this family that is often understated, but has deep impact to those able to grace them.
Und ein gutes Wochenende zu Ihnen.
Tschuss
Stefan
wow on the reply!
only a matter of weeks perhaps days now till we find out what's coming!=)
Love~
Hear, Hear!!! ...Three Cheers for Oliver!...Hip-Hip! Hooray!!!
Zwei Daumen nach oben!
Best,
--
Richard.
I'm joining you! Hip hip hooray for Oliver!
Have a wondeful weekend yourself Richard!
Stephen
I love the RL line but it has one problem
It's way too big for me. At 37mm it would have been the ultimate model. At 41mm, sorry, but too much.
what a beauty....
superbbb detailed post to his most fav family of a lange & sohne
Cheers,
Adeline
great read Oliver! However only
The original RL remains the only Lange on my List after the Datograph.
Cheers
Mech.
Mech you should give them a try!
Especially the PLM! I'm curious though, what do you mean by dial cutoff? Are you referring that the dials of the PLM and ReferenzUhr are not one-piece, but have the levels to them, and that is the no no for you?
Thanks for sharing with me your opinion!
Stephen
Don't get me wrong Stephen, everything about
When I said cutoff I'm referring to the sub-dials cutting into the marker/indexes. I'm just anal about these small little imperfection.
The original RL is a PERFECT watch on my list, dial design included and a sweet centre sweeping second hand, sublime!
Mech.
I get you now Mech!
We all have the anal things in life!
No worries , because i have my own that others regard me as insane for even having them!
Cheers
Stephen
Thanks Stephen for your understanding,
Cheers!
This message has been edited by Mech on 2010-12-06 05:40:35
And that is a stupendous version that i would hunt till the ends of the earth!
May our wishes and dreams come true!
Tschuss
Stephen