Swiss 7750 Valjoux A. Lange & Söhne Introduces the 1815 ‘Homage to Walter Lange’ with Hacking Dead Seconds Japanese Movement Replica

The dial side has many other treats for the onlooker, namely those connected into the perpetual calendar as well as the rattrapante chronograph. The former consists of 206 parts, almost a third of the 684 total component count of the L133.1 caliber. Lange’s moon phase is “accurate to 122.6 years” — mind you, which “precision” means that it takes that much time to get the moon phase display to be off with a comprehensive moment. This form of arbitrary way is how the precision of moon phase displays in watches is generally determined, not that anybody really cares about actual practicality beyond its own aesthetic and technology element.The rattrapante chronograph on the other hand is among the most technically impressive and challenging complications out there. Some watchmakers I asked told me they find it even more challenging to perform than the usual sonnerie or minute repeater, and definitely a much bigger pain in the throat than a perpetual calendar (unless it’s instantaneous and/or further complicated). Both laser sharp chronograph seconds palms break a hair’s width above one another in their reset position, with all the blue being the rattrapante hand, operated by the pusher at the 10 o’clock position of the case.
It is filigree and yet rocky in a way few motions with ~700 elements are. Each of the components seem to have substantial volume to them, nearly begging the question why so many other moves we see incorporate fragile-looking little springs and cams in their own design. The Tourbograph looks like a beautifully decorated machine which dwarfs other movements.Hidden deep within the bowels of the L133.1 is a fusée and string transmission system, designed to ensure a more even delivery of torque as the mainspring unwinds within its short, 36-hour power book — 36 hours is really short, but a shorter than ordinary power book isn’t exactly unusual one of such outrageously complex movements. The chain itself is 636 parts, but Lange counts it as you (yes, one) component in the 684 component count of this movement itself.On the wrist, the 43mm-wide and whopping 16.6mm-thick platinum case is a hefty, heavy beast. It wears fine, but the burden of this case and the ~1,400 elements inside it can make for a very hefty watch. Weapons grade, I think is the word. Few watches make me feel crappy, but that one failed in its own odd way — as it, in all fairness, is a fragile thing.
Our showroom feature a wide assortment of A Lange and Sohne timepieces. We’re a family owned and operated jewelry store that’s been in business since 1928. Our flagship jewelry shop along Chicago’s world renowned Magnificent Mile is located at the corner of Oak St and Michigan Ave, just across from the Drake hotel.Feel free to reach out and also schedule an appointment with our A. Lange & Sohne Watch specialists. We all know this is a significant purchase, and as always, we would be glad to dedicate an appointment to ensure you select the ideal A. Lange & Sohne timepiece. Marshall Pierce & Company is dedicated to your luxury watch and fine jewelry buying experience, and pride ourselves on being Chicago’s most trusted and experienced A. Lange & Sohne dealer.

Having passed away at the grand old age of 93 just earlier this year, Walter Lange was the last living link to the pre-war, family-owned firm of A. Lange & Söhne. Though he was not the driving force behind the modern day firm, Mr Lange was nevertheless revered as the spiritual father of the brand, being a direct descendent of namesake founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange.

Now his life is being swiftly remembered by a limited edition wristwatch, the 1815 ‘Homage to Walter Lange’. Its distinguishing complication are twin seconds hands, a feature originally found on 19th century Lange pocket watches, having been invented in 1867 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange himself.

The first seconds hand on the sub-dial at six o’clock is conventional, sweeping along as an ordinary seconds hand would. The central seconds hand is novel in being a deadbeat seconds that can be stopped and started via the pusher at two o’clock. Pulling the crown to set the time stops the subsidiary seconds.

That means the central seconds ticks along in one second steps, thanks to an additional, indirect wheel train that relies on a flirt and star to produce the jumping motion. A sprung lever, otherwise known as the flirt, presses against one tip of the six-pointed star wheel, being released by the star wheel once every second. The flirt then spins a full circle before being stopped by the next tip of the star wheel. Last year’s Richard Lange Jumping Seconds also featured a deadbeat seconds operating on a similar principle, though made more complex with a constant force mechanism and zero-reset seconds.

Though the complication is a first for a Lange wristwatch, the dial is similar to other 1815 models, being silver with large Arabic numerals, while the case is 40.5mm in diameter and 10.7mm high.

No images of the movement are available at this time, the calibre is quintessential Lange, featuring a three-quarter plate, blued steel screws and so on. Hand-wound and having a 60-hour power reserve, it’s made up of 253 parts.

The movement has been christened L1924, a departure from the usual calibre naming norms of Lange. While calibres are usually named after the year they begin development – the L951.1 was started in 1995 for instance – the L1924 is named after Mr Lange’s birth year.

Other numerical refers to Mr Lange’s life abound in the ‘Homage to Walter Lange’. The model reference starts with “297” as he was born on July 29, while the edition size of each metal is a nod to a crucial date in his life.

Walter Lange (centre) at the launch of the modern Lange brand in 1994, flanked by Gunter Blumlein (left), and Hartmut Knothe

The 145-piece white gold version is based on the 145 years that elapsed between the original founding of the company in 1845 and the reestablishment of the firm after the Berlin Wall fell. Ninety watches in pink gold are being made, since Mr Lange registered the new Lange company in 1990. And it’s been 27 years since that registration and the launch of this watch, explaining the 27 pieces in yellow gold.

And singular stainless steel

More notably, one more 1815 ‘Homage to Walter Lange’ will be produced – in stainless steel. Fitted with a black fired enamel dial, this will be one of the handful of steel Lange wristwatches ever made (totally perhaps two dozen or so).

The one-off steel piece (ref. 297.078) will be sold later in 2018 at an auction, with all proceeds going to charity.

Price and availability 

The 1815 ‘Homage to Walter Lange’ is limited to 27 pieces in yellow gold (ref. 297.021), 145 pieces in white gold  (ref. 297.026), and 90 pieces in pink gold  (ref. 297.032). It costs the same in all metals, priced at €47,000 including 19% German tax.