ThisLange 1 Ref. 101.035 "Darth",features the striking combination of a platinum case, black dial and white-on-black date discs, for a distinctive monochromatic appearance which has deservedly given it a cult status among collectors.

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 "Darth" Lange 1

For many, theLange 1is the quintessentialA. Lange & Shnewatch, and by extension the purest form of German design in watchmaking.Believed tohave been produced exclusively between 1999 and 2006,the reference 101.035 has been nicknamed the "Darth" by collectors, on account of its platinum case, black dial and white-on-black date discs. It achieves a distinctive monochromatic appearance which has deservedly attained a cult status among collectors.

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 blackdial and faceted hands.The oversized date disc, a signature designfrom the brand,is displayed at the top right corner of the dial, inspired from the at Semper Opera Housein Dresden. At 3 oclock, the power reserve is indicated in German, a reminder of the manufactures origins.

The two subsidiary dials, with the indication for the hours, minutes and seconds, have a slightly lighter tone andiridescent finish.The rest of the dial features adark, mattefinish, providing a subtle contrast with the lightly recessed subdials. To complete the monochromatic appearance, this Lange 1 features unusualwhite-on-black date discs.Being an earlier piece from the German watchmaker, it is housed in a classically sized 38.5mm platinum case, similar tothe original Lange 1.

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, it is said that 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 calibre L901.0, 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.

The Set

ThisA. Lange & Shne Lange 1ref. 101.035comes on our grey grained leatherstrap, as well as itsoriginal blackalligator strap and corresponding platinumtangbuckle. It is also accompanied by its original leather box, leather document folder, instruction manual and International Guarantee.

Closer look

This A. Lange & Shne Lange 1 ref. 101.035is in very goodcondition overall, with superficial marks throughout consistent with wear over time. The marksare most visible on the bezel (at 12 and 3 o'clock specifically) and on both sides of the lugs, consistent with the areas most exposed when the watch is worn. Recently tested, the timekeeping and all thefunctions functions are working well.The watch is guaranteed for authenticity and comes with a two-year warranty fromA Collected Man.