A. Lange & Söhne made a big splash at SIHH this year with the release of a monster Grand Complication (some would call it a “Grand, Grand Complication” due to not only its level of complexity – 7 complications with an untold number of components, but also a 50mm by 20mm case, and a 1.92 million euro price tag) and a split-seconds perpetual calendar (which we showed you in great detail here) but to me, and probably to you, the most interesting offering from Lange from a consumer perspective was the new A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Up/Down. In fact, I might even say that this new release (based on a watch previously available with the same name), could be up there as the one of the few quintessential “entry-level” Langes in production. Of course, entry level for this great Glashutte manufacture is hardly what we’d call “approachable” by most, but everything is relative and we’ll get to cost later in this article. First, let’s watch a little video explanation by Anthonie de Hass, from Lange:
A. Lange & Söhne made a big splash at SIHH this year with the release of a monster Grand Complication (some would call it a “Grand, Grand Complication” due to not only its level of complexity – 7 complications with an untold number of components, but also a 50mm by 20mm case, and a 1.92 million euro price tag) and a split-seconds perpetual calendar (which we showed you in great detail here) but to me, and probably to you, the most interesting offering from Lange from a consumer perspective was the new 1815 Up/Down. In fact, I might even say that this new release (based on a watch previously available with the same name), could be up there as one of the few quintessential “entry-level” Langes in production. Of course, entry level for this great Glashutte manufacture is hardly what we’d call “approachable” by most, but everything is relative and we’ll get to cost later in this article. First, let’s have a little explanation by Anthonie de Hass, from Lange:
The 1815 Up/Down looks a lot like one of my personal favorite from ALS, the 1815 chronograph – a watch that I got to spend a week with back in December and one you’ll see written up here in the coming months. But, despite the two registers placed in the exact same location you’d see on the 1815 chronograph, the Up/Down isn’t a chronograph. In fact, it’s a simple watch, with running seconds at 4 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 8 o’clock, thus the “Up/Down” nomeclature. But, I mentioned above, this isn’t the first 1815 Up/Down Lange has released, though it must be viewed as an entirely new watch.
I say this because the movement inside the new 1815 Up/Down is entirely new when compared to that which resided in the original Up/Down. Caliber L051.2 features a top-mounted wheel train on the reverse of the movement and two additional screwed gold chatons that refer to the enlarged mainspring barrel. This allows for a full 72 hour power reserve, a reserve that necessitates an Up/Down indicator on the dial side. The original Up/Down had a power reserve of only 45 hours, so this is a marked improvement, and the 1815 “classic” has a reserve of 55 hours, despite sharing a similar movement (Caliber LO51.1). The manually wound calibre consists of 245 parts, and while it retains the famous 3/4 plate architecture, Lange is now in the habit of exposing the click, ratchet, and crown wheel on the plate itself. If you don’t follow, take a look at the rear of the new 1815 above, and then look at this picture of the rear of the original 1815. Notice the difference? Essentially we lose a bit of the purity of the beautiful German silver 3/4 plate, but in return we get to see more moving parts. I don’t think anyone will mind.
Available in yellow gold, white, and rose, the new 1815 Up/Down is sized at 39mm. This is 3mm larger than the original 1815 Up/Down but 1mm smaller than the standard Lange 1815 (without the “Up/Down”). 39mm is, to me, the absolute perfect size for this watch and it remains one of my favorite sizes for most pieces, regardless of the make.
On the wrist, the new 1815 looks and feels absolutely fantastic. With the two registers, there is enough going on with this dial to treat it as something more than a classic dress watch, and that’s a great thing. At just 8.7mm thick, the 1815 can fit easily under absolutely any cuff easily. The increased power reserve, larger case size, and cleaner dial are all absolutely welcomed changes from the original 1815 Up/Down and I think this watch will have a lot of appeal to both collectors and perhaps even more importantly, first time Lange buyers. It is not the least expensive Lange, but I think it it is, along with the Richard Lange, perhaps the most interesting watch they make under $30,000. That is to say, I really like this watch.
And about the price. The new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down will sell for $27,400 in both rose and yellow gold, and $28,600 in white gold. Expect to see these in stores in the coming months, and I encourage you all to take a look at this one in the metal, because it’s really something very nice.