Two A. Lange & Sohne classical complications now upgraded in precious gold and platinum

A. Lange & Sohne may have launched only one new model at this year’s Watches & Wonders — which we’ve covered extensively here and here — but its 2023 calendar is far from over. You may consider the boutique-only Odysseus Chronograph a warm-up lap for more fabulous launches ahead as we progress through the year, and that time has indeed come. This summer, feast your eyes on two new classical complications by A. Lange & Sohne in gold as well as platinum, both crafted expressly for Lange connoisseurs. If you’re one of them, then we’ll start with two words to trigger you right now: Salmon dial.

Of course it is known that the German manufacture prefers to describe them as pink gold dials (we just couldn’t resist) but the more important message to take home today is that A. Lange & Sohne has just lifted the curtains off its third and latest timepiece offering a pink gold dial. The 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar now forms a hallowed trio of production series salmon-dialed timepieces by A. Lange & Sohne, joining the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar of 2021 and the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon of 2019. Until the next one comes along, these are the only versions on the market — not counting that piece unique 1815 Chronograph made last year for the winner of the Concourse d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

So if you missed out on the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar and the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, then maybe it’s time to finally get yourself on the allocation list for the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. Because there is only going to be 100 of these beauties for a worldwide audience. This is also the only one by far with the A. Lange & Sohne rattrapante chronograph function. As a Lange aficionado, you must be aware of the manufacture’s impeccable mastery of the split second complication, having cut its teeth creating such legendary timekeepers as the Double Split in 2004, the Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour Le Merite” in 2017 and the incredible Triple Split in 2018.

It goes without saying that there aren’t many watch manufactures today that have the ability to make their own split second chronograph, and far fewer who can combine it with a perpetual calendar. Essentially this is the type of grand complication you’ll only get from the top manufactures in haute horlogerie, as you can see by looking at the A. Lange & Sohne Caliber L101.1 and all 631 components that form its magnificent construct, which is even more mind-blowing when you realize everything has been assembled not once but twice — as is the custom for every A. Lange & Sohne timepiece.

What else do you need to know about the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar? Basically this newcomer is the only one in white gold, as both existing variations are offered in either platinum or pink gold.

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar

Movement: Lange manufacture caliber L101.1, manually wound, decorated and assembled by hand, adjusted to five positions, plates and bridges made of untreated German silver, hand-engraved balance cock
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; stop seconds; rattrapante chronograph with minute counter; perpetual calendar with date, day, month, moon phase and leap year; power reserve indicator
Case: 41.9mm, white gold
Dial: Pink gold
Strap: Dark brown hand-stitched alligator leather with white gold deployant buckle
Price: Upon request