A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1

A decentralized display, an oversized date, and a perfectly crafted movement are the hallmarks of the Lange 1 from A. Lange & Söhne. Since its launch in 1994, this luxury watch has become the best-known model from the traditional Glashütte-based manufacturer.

The design of Lange 1 has changed little over the past three decades. The displays are harmoniously arranged to give the watch a distinctive look. Virtually all versions are made of precious metals like gold or platinum. Classic design features such as Roman numerals and filigree hands emphasize the dress watch character of the Lange 1, making it the ideal wristwatch for festive or formal occasions.

Over the years, Lange 1 has grown into an extensive collection. For example, A. Lange & Söhne offers the watch in three different sizes. The collection also includes watches with additional complications such as a moon phase display, second time zone, perpetual calendar, and/or tourbillon. There are also a number of strictly limited special editions that are very popular with collectors.

Since the introduction of the Lange 1, A. Lange & Söhne has released numerous references of the famous luxury watch. Many collectors will be interested in models from the very first series, available in yellow gold and platinum. Prices for well-maintained pre-owned specimens range from 63,500 to 95,000 USD, depending on the model.

The current red gold version of the Lange 1 (ref. 191.032) costs just under 42,000 USD when new. If you prefer the white gold version (ref. 191.039), the price climbs to around 47,900 USD. Be prepared to shell out around 61,200 USD for the platinum version.

Since 2002 the Lange 1 is available with moon phase display. Here, too, the Saxon manufacturer offers versions in rose gold, white gold, or platinum. Prices for unworn examples range between 49,500 and 53,400 USD.

The Lange 1 collection also offers more complicated models. These include the Lange 1 Time Zone, the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar and the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. You can purchase the former variant on Chrono24 for between approximately 52,300 and 59,000 USD. A Lange 1 with a perpetual calendar, on the other hand, requires an investment of 109,000 to 136,000 USD in mint condition. The flagship of the line with a tourbillon and perpetual calendar changes hands for between roughly 300,500 USD and 337,900 USD.

Grand & Little Lange 1 Prices

Grand and Little Lange 1 models differ from the standard model only in size. The watches are available in red or white gold. Prices range from 37,000 to 48,000 USD for the three-hand versions. Versions with moon phase display demand an investment of between 39,000 and 70,000 USD, depending on the variant.

The characteristic design language of A. Lange & Söhne is exemplified by the Lange 1. The classic round case houses a dial characterized by four elements: First, the time display, positioned off-center at the 9 o'clock position. This is offset by a small seconds at 5 o'clock and a large date at 1. Finally, the up/down power reserve indicator spans between 2 and 4 o'clock. The layout is very harmonious and gives the watches a classic, elegant look.

Dial colors range from silver-white to black and chocolate brown to gray and blue. The Lange 1 cases are made of either rose, white, or yellow gold. Platinum versions are also available.

Inside the watches, finely decorated in-house calibers reliably perform their duties. Current versions have a 72-hour power reserve thanks to a double mainspring barrel. These watches are easily recognized by their sapphire crystal case backs.

In 2019, A. Lange & Söhne celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Lange 1 with three limited editions. Each model features a white gold case, silver dial, and tempered blue hands. A blue alligator leather strap with white stitching completes the look and keeps the timepiece securely on the wrist.

The anniversary models consist of the Lange 1 25th Anniversary limited to 250 pieces, the Lange 1 Moon Phase 25th Anniversary limited to 25 pieces, and the Lange 1 Daymatic 25th Anniversary, also limited to 25 pieces. The watches are technically identical to the regular models and differ from their counterparts only in the material and color combination and the "25th Anniversary" engraving on the case back.

The classic Lange 1 measures 38.5 mm in diameter, which is too small for large-wristed watch enthusiasts. To meet the demand of mostly male fans, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the Grand Lange 1 in the early 2000s. Early examples have a diameter of 41.9 mm and are powered by the Lange 1 caliber L901.0. Using this movement causes the time and small seconds to overlap. The large date also protrudes into the time display.

In 2012, the Grand Lange 1 got its own caliber, the L095.1, and the proportions on the dial were right again. The case shrank to 41 mm in diameter.

Little Lange 1

A. Lange & Söhne has also been offering a Lange 1 for women for several years. It has a slim diameter of 36.8 mm and is called the Little Lange 1. The design is exactly the same as its larger counterparts.

The Little Lange 1 is available in white or rose gold versions. The manufacturer also offers variants with a diamond-set bezel.

Grand & Little Lange 1 Complications

Both versions of the Lange 1 are also available with a moon phase display. The moon phase display is located on the small seconds subdial.

The Grand Lange 1 Lumen stands out in the A. Lange & Söhne collection as the first Lange watch to feature a luminescent oversized date. It also has a semi-transparent dial and luminescent hands and indices. This gives the Lumen a more sporty look than any other watch from the brand.

If you prefer automatic watches, take a look at the Lange 1 Daymatic. Inside the 39.5 mm watch, the in-house caliber L021.1 sets the pace. When fully wound, the movement offer a 50-hour power reserve.

The Daymatic can be recognized by its dial, which has mirrored displays and a retrograde day of the week instead of a power reserve indicator.

The Lange 1 Time Zone is one of the most complicated watches in the Lange 1 collection. The GMT watch can display 24 time zones, two of which are always displayed simultaneously. Time zones can be changed quickly using the pushers. The city ring at the edge of the dial indicates the current time zone. The Lange 1 Time Zone shows the current home time in a smaller subdial, where the small seconds are usually located. The large dial shows the local time. Both displays also have a day/night indicator.

Lange 1 Time Zone With a New Caliber

In late 2020, A. Lange & Söhne launched a Lange 1 Time Zone with the new in-house caliber L141.1. This movement has a 72-hour power reserve, which the manufacturer now achieves with one barrel instead of two. The dial features a redesigned, easier-to-read day/night indicator in the form of a ring. You'll also find a daylight savings indicator in the form of a small applied arrow.

The case of this 41.9 mm watch is available in either rose or yellow gold, the latter version of which is limited to just 100 pieces.

Unlike most calendar complications, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar does not display the months on a subdial, but on a ring at the outer edge of the dial. The time is displayed off-center at 3 o'clock, while the small seconds and moon phase are located at 7. The outsized date is located at the 11 o'clock position on the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar.

You can admire the rotation of the tourbillon through the sapphire crystal case back.

The Lange 1 Tourbillon

If you can dispense with the perpetual calendar and prefer to view the tourbillon from the front, we recommend the Lange 1 Tourbillon. In this watch, the tourbillon is located at the position of the small second, which has been integrated into the large dial between 7 and 8 o'clock. The balance cock is also visible from the front. In more recent versions of the Lange 1 Tourbillon, the patented stop-seconds mechanism (V-shaped spring), can also be seen through the dial cutout.

At the virtual watch fair Watches & Wonders 2021, A. Lange & Söhne presented two new Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar models with a new in-house movement. One version is a rose gold watch with a solid silver dial. The second variant is made of white gold and features a salmon-colored gold dial. A. Lange & Söhne limited the latter timepiece to 150 pieces, which means demand is high.

Both watches are powered by the in-house caliber L021.3. Thanks to its perpetual calendar mechanism, it won't need manual correction until the year 2100. An 18-karat gold rotor and platinum hairspring wind the movement, which has a 50-hour power reserve. As with all A. Lange & Söhne movements, great care has been taken in the decoration of the movement, including the engraved balance cock and the so-called Glashütte finish on the nickel silver plates and bridges.

The dial displays the calendar month, day, leap year, and (oversized) date. These are joined by a moon phase display that doubles as a day/night indicator. Of course, you'll also want to keep an eye on the time, which appears on an off-center display on the right side of the dial.

What is a typical design feature of the Lange 1?

The Lange 1 from A. Lange & Söhne features a decentralized time display, oversized date display, small seconds, and an up/down power reserve indicator.

What band options are available on the Lange 1?

A. Lange & Söhne uses only the finest alligator leather for their Lange 1 straps, which are color-coordinated to match the dial.

What dial colors are available for the Lange 1?

The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 comes with dials in silver-white, black, gray, brown, or blue.