A. Lange & Söhne’s smallest-yet 1815 is a masterclass in restraint
Buffy Acacia- At 34mm, this is the smallest A. Lange & Söhne 1815 ever released.
- The calibre L152.1 is pure Lange in German silver, displaying the three-quarter plate and hand-engraved balance cock.
- With a case of 18k white or rose gold, the blue dial is made from 925 sterling silver.
A. Lange & Söhne is readily considered at the pinnacle of watchmaking from experts and enthusiasts alike, far exceeding its somewhat humble roots in the haven of Glashütte. It didn’t gain that reputation from playing it safe or keeping things simple, but rather by combining advanced complications with a distinct classical style. The newest addition to the 1815 collection is somewhat of a challenge to the expectations of the brand, by seeing what Lange is capable of within the constraints of a time-only watch in a modest, 34mm package.
Although the modern iteration of A. Lange & Söhne came about in the ‘90s with icons like the Lange 1, the brand never forgets its namesake. The 1815 is named after the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who was trained in the courts of Saxony and whose watches were worn by great emperors of 19th-century Europe. But those pocket watches weren’t always laden with complications, as the movement architecture was impressive enough. It’s the same spirit that the new time-only references of the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 carries – confident in its execution, with no need for bells or whistles. The case is available in white gold or pink gold, with a sensible diameter of 34mm and a height of just 6.4mm. It’s not the kind of ultra-thin that wears like a dinner plate, and it’s certainly slender enough to feel exquisite. The finishing is quite subtle, with a moderately wide, polished bezel and brushed case sides enclosed in polished bands.
The dial is pure Lange in all of its Teutonic glory, executing a minimalist vision with enough attention to detail to exude character. The sharp alpha hands are typical of the brand’s Saxon style, as are the curved flourishes on the Arabic numerals. Even the minute track is tastefully decorated with little motifs at the quarters. Despite the watch’s thinness, the dial manages to play with depth across three planes. There’s the outer sector for the hour markers, the inner for the hands and brand logo, then a sunburst subdial for the small seconds. Beneath the blue, the dial also happens to be made from 925 sterling silver.
Turning the watch over reveals Lange’s proudest element. Sure, its cases and dials are beautiful, but the movements are what have defined the company. The calibre L152.1 perfectly showcases three distinct attributes that are crucial to the DNA of the German watchmaker, and Glashütte in general. It’s crafted from German silver, which is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc that has a pleasing warmth to it. The three-quarter plate has become synonymous with Glashütte movements and fine watchmaking, but was actually introduced by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in 1864. Finally, there’s the balance cock which is finely engraved with floral motifs, entirely freehanded by a master of their craft. It’s a manually wound movement with 72 hours of power reserve, and a beat rate of 21,600 vibrations per second.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 34mm price and availability
The new 34mm A. Lange & Söhne 1815 is available now. Price: €27,000
| Brand | A. Lange & Söhne |
| Model | 1815 |
| Reference | 220.028 (white gold) 220.037 (pink gold) |
| Case Dimensions | 34mm (W) x 6.4mm (T) |
| Case material | 18k white or pink gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | 925 sterling silver |
| Bracelet | Hand-stitched alligator leather, case-matching pin buckle |
| Movement | L152.1, in-house, manual winding |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | €27,000 |