A. Lange & Söhne 1815, 233.032, Rose Gold

A.Lange & Söhne have unquestionably established themselves as one of the world's leading watch brands - challenging Swiss dominance and raising the bar for both aesthetic and movement design of fine wristwatches. With German tenacity and precision, they create pieces that are elegant statements on the wrist, with hand-finished movements of the highest calibre. This example, in rose-gold, the Ref. 1815 - inspired by founder Ferdinand A. Lange (and named after his birth year), offers a traditional take on Lange’s heritage watchmaking style.

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It was in early 1990, that Walter Lange, possessing the vision to once again craft exceptional timepieces, formulated a plan to revive the family business in Glashütte after the collapse of the Berlin Wall. In 2001, the Saxon manufactory was able to re-locate back to its original, historic building in Glashütte, which housed A. Lange & Söhne from 1845 until its partial destruction by Allied bombing in 1945.

Exhibiting an aesthetic that is undeniably Lange, it features a railway-track minute scale around the outer edge of the dial. Symmetrical to this at 6 o'clock, a subsidiary dial displays the running seconds. In keeping with this classic styling, the dial further features large Arabic numerals and faceted blued-steel hands. The dial is also tiered, with the centre-portion slightly counter-sunk and the seconds sub-dial fractionally more so, adding subtle depth to the overall appearance. Much attention is given to A. Lange & Söhne’s more technically-complicated watches, like the Datograph or Zeitwerk, but their uncomplicated approach to form and design is equally noteworthy.

The aesthetics of the movement are just as impressive as the mechanics, with chamfering and interior angles superbly hand-finished. Moreover, it features an artistic flourish, a balance-cock engraved by one of Lange’s master engravers. In fact, each individual watchmaker's unique engraving style can be identified as a result. The bridges and plates are made from German silver, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, with a warm silver tone that will develop a subtle patina over time. The use of this metal, along with the hand-engraved balance cock is a signature of A. Lange & Söhne.

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Ref. 233.032 houses a manual-winding calibre L051.1, with a 55-hour power reserve. The movement is comprised of 188 components, of which 23 are jewels and five screwed gold chatons – the latter of which are a mark of Lange's traditionally German movements. The watch has a lever escapement and the balance beats at 21,600 A/h.

This A. Lange & Söhne 1815 comes as a full-set, with its original black alligator strap; our nude Istanbul nubuck leather strap; corresponding rose-gold tang buckle, its accompanying box, Wempe guarantee card and paperwork.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Brand:	A. Lange & Söhne
Model:	1815 (ref. 233.032)
Movement:	mechanical manual-winding Cal. L051.1
Functions:	time-only: hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	display back
Case:	40 mm 18-carat rose gold
Crystal:	sapphire front and back
Strap:	Istanbul strap and black Lange & Söhne alligator strap with tang buckle
Lug:	20mm
Year:	2009
Box & papers:	full-set: box and papers

A. Lange & Söhne 1815, 233.032, Rose Gold

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Specifications

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