ThisLange 1 ref. 101.032 combines a rose gold case with a high contrast,silver dial, a desirable andsatisfying variation ofthe reference.Produced from 1998, itis a classic example of theearly Lange 1 design,thatrepresents an enduring design language which is still appreciated today.

The Rebirth ofA. Lange & Shne

The name Lange has been tied to watchmaking and the Saxony area of Germany for centuries.In the 1800s,Ferdinand Aldoph Lange which is where the A in A. Lange & Shne comes from began his watchmaking journey under the tutelage of master watchmaker, Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes. Passed from father to son, the Lange name flourished, before encountering considerable obstacles during the 20th century.The brand got caughtup in the turmoil caused by World War One, the financial crash of 1929, World War Two and was finally placedunder the rule of the Soviet Union. Thecompany was nationalised for the next 45 years, essentially spelling the end of the A. Lange & Shne name.

Years later, in 1990,the brand was resuscitatedby the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, Walter, and watch industry veteran, Gnter Blmlein.Blmlein, a Nuremberg native who grew up in post-War Germany, had previously overseen the resurgence of IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre.This started the four-year journey that Lange and Blmlein would go on with their small team to bring the company back from the ashes, with the release of their first four models on the 24^thof October, 1994.The brand released four innovative models, all of the with their own distinctive visuallanguage, theArkade,Saxonia,Tourbillon Pour le Mriteand theLange 1.

The Ref. 101.032

One of the first watches released byA. Lange & Shnefollowing the resuscitation of the brand, theLange 1has become ain its own right. The decentralised arrangement of the displays on the dial is characteristic, with the centers of the displays designed to form the corners of an isosceles triangle. The masterful use of empty space, with none of the displays overlapping, creates an overall sense of balance and refinement.

While the piece displays much of the Lange 1s classic styling, it distinguishes itself with a rose gold case andsilver dial.Exhibiting an aesthetic that is undeniablyLange, an oversized outside aperture is displayed at the top right corner of the dial, inspired from theatSemper Opera Housein Dresden. At 3 oclock, the power reserve is indicated in German, a reminder of the manufactures origins.

It is understood that this reference 101.032 was producedfrom 1998 and combines ahigh contrast silver dial with a vintage-styled rose gold case. The hands and applied index markers of the dial are rendered in rose gold as well, with the same metal framing the date aperture.

The two lightly recessed subsidiary dials, with the indication for the hours, minutes and seconds, have an engine-turned concentric circles pattern. These sub-dials are a similarsilver tone to the rest of the dial, which provides some contrast with its satin-brushed finishing.

The Movement

This Ref. 101.032 is powered by the calibre L901.0. based on a Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 822 gear train that Gnter Blmlein brought over. The movement is comprised of 398 components, of which 54 are jewels and five screwed gold chatons the latter of which are a mark ofLanges traditionally Germanmovement. The watch has a lever escapement and the balance beats at 21,600 A/h.

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 ofLangesmaster engravers. In fact, it is said that each individual watchmaker's unique engraving style can be identified as a result.

One of the many things that helped to cement this movement as a German, and not a Swiss one, was the use of untreated German silver. This metal not only gave the movements a unique shine, but over time they can start to develop a much richer hue that is distinct to the brand when viewed through the sapphire caseback, we see that the movement of this Ref. 101.032 is beginning to age very attractively.

The Set

ThisLange 1Ref. 101.032 is accompanied by itsGuarantee Certificate, in addition toa A. Lange & Shne, Lange 1 watch manual. Also included is abespoke taupe saffianostrap, original rose gold tang buckle and a new black alligator strap from the manufacture.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Lange 1Ref. 101.032 will be subject to 20% VAT. Viewings are currently suspended for the time being.

Closer look