TheLange 1is, in every way, deserving of the description of modern icon. One of the first watches made following the re-establishment ofA. Lange & Shne, its simple yet distinctive design has commanded the respect of collectors. This early, white-goldLange 1 ref.101.027,featuringa striking dark blue dial, wasproduced for a handful of years at the turn of the century.

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 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^thOctober 1994.The brand released four innovative models, all of the with their own distinctive visuallanguage, theArkade,Saxonia,Tourbillon Pour le Mriteand theLange 1.

THE LANGE 1

One of the first watches released byA. Lange & Shnefollowing the resuscitation of the brand, theLange 1has become a modern icon in 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.

In keeping with this classic styling, the watch features a crisp dark bluedial and faceted white goldhands.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.

REFERENCE 101.027

This reference101.027, produced exclusively between 1997 and 2002, sets itself apart from otherLange 1s thanks to its distinctive dark blue dial. The two subsidiary dials, with the indication for the hours, minutes and seconds, have a slightly darker, even finish. The rest of the dial features avertical, satin-brushed finish, providing a subtle contrast with the lightly recessed subdials. The cult status of this earlyLange 1with blue dial is such that, in 2017,A. Lange & Shnereleased acollection of watches with blue dials, directly inspired by this piece.Being an earlier piece from the German watchmaker, it is housed in a classically-sized 38.5mm case, similar tothe originalLange 1.

Much attention is given toA. Lange & Shnesmore technically-complicated watches, like theor, but looking at thisLange 1, it is evident that their uncomplicated approach to form and design is equally noteworthy.More frequently produced with a white dial, this blue variant of theLange 1remains as elusive, as it is attractive.

THE MOVEMENT

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, each individual watchmaker's unique engraving style can be identified as a result. The bridges and plates are made fromGermansilver, 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 ofA. Lange & Shne.

TheA. Lange & Shne Lange 1houses a manual-winding calibreL901.0, with a 72-hour power reserve. 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.

Closer look