Change certainly has it’s merits. It gives us hope, restores faith and forces us to see shit we never saw before. This is the case, not only with the new president Barrack Obama, who gave one hell of a speech to the Nation after graciously being sworn in as 44TH President Of The United States, but in life in general. This also applies to fine timepieces. A Lange & Sohne being the finest watch in the world has adapted to change quite well in the last 10 years. There is always that inner struggle which conflicts a manufacturer to combine tradition,innovation and changing with the times. This year at SIHH, they made a change for the better. The 1815 series, which is they’re entry level price point has undergone many changes over the years. The 1815 has gone through different sizes, movements and dials. This new introduction for SIHH 2009 is by far the best. Keeping in line heritage and tradition while understanding the consumers needs of today.
So they’re answer is quite simple. They have introduced 4 different models in the 1815 collection available in 18K yellow gold, 18K rose gold, 18K white gold and of course the pinnacle in Platinum which is limited to 500 pieces for the world. When first released these watches were literally made to look like ladies watches at 36 mm. That was a different time, Today they have come full circle and are now finally available in a 40 mm size which is the way it should be. Lets be honest 40mm in a sports watch was considered large 5 years ago, and today 40 mm in a sports watch is considered almost Pansyish! A bigger more refined 40 mm dress watch provides elegance, sophistication and weariblity at the end of the day.
The 1815 is an important watch for A Lange & Sohne because it marks the historic year that the company began. The dials on all the 1815 models are argente made out of pure silver and have steel blue hands while the platinum version has a rhodium dial with gold rhodium plated hands to differentiate it from the white gold version. This stellar comeback for the 1815 keeps in mind the traditional values set by it’s founder Ferdinand Adolf Lange who’s motto was basically less is more. Even a new manual wind movement was created for this watch keeping the passion and spirit of fine German artistry at the helm of watchmaking.
The newly designed calibre L051.1 is comprised of 188 individual hand finished parts to perfection, and sits very comfortable withing the 40 mm case as it’s only 30.6 mm in diameter. This three handed beauty which includes hours and minutes and a sub seconds hand at the 6 o’clock position is complimented by black arabic numerals and an outer black railroad track for minutes. To see one in person is a visual wet dream and to own one will make you realize why time has fianlly come home.
pic courtesy of http://www.alange&sohne.com
JOHNNY FLYBACK 