A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) Watch Review
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) has just been unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2025. It’s the latest iteration of the much-loved, classically styled model first released in 1995, incorporating a few subtle changes along with a ‘newly developed movement’, the hand-wound calibre L152.1. Angus Davies begins by looking back at some historical events, including the birth of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, before appraising the brand’s latest expression of fine watchmaking.
Saxony – the importance of dates
Birthdays, wedding anniversaries, national holidays and religious festivals are just some of the dates marked on the kitchen calendar. Some dates are more significant than others. For example, the Battle of Dresden took place in August 1813 on the outskirts of the city. It was the last occasion Napoleon was victorious on what is now German soil. Indeed, just two months later, in October 1813, Napoleon was defeated near Leipzig. In 1815, following the Congress of Vienna, Saxony transferred a significant portion of its territory and population to Prussia, while the remaining land and population joined with other states to form the German Confederation (Bund).
Image – Ferdinand Adolph Lange
At the same time the map of Europe was being redrawn, Dresden welcomed a new arrival; Ferdinand Adolph Lange. In 1845, at just 30 years of age, Lange established a business in Glashütte. Incentivised by the Saxon Ministry of the Interior, he opened the first Manufactory in the town and recruited 15 apprentices from the area. Lange was instrumental in transforming a once impoverished town into a watchmaking enclave.
Sadly, even after the formation of the German Confederation, Saxony witnessed further battles and experienced more political upheaval. In 1866, Austria, Bavaria, Hanover, Saxony and a few other German states joined forces and fought Prussia in the ‘Seven Weeks’ War’. On 8 May 1945, the final day of World War II, Lange’s main production building was bombed in an air raid. Three years later, in 1948, A. Lange & Söhne was expropriated by the communist regime.
Image – Walter Lange
A. Lange & Söhne – a fondness for dates
At this juncture, while some historians will be feverishly fact-checking the aforementioned paragraphs, other readers may question my obsession with dates. However, dates are very important to A. Lange & Söhne. Just two months after the reunification of Germany (3 October 1990), the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, Walter Lange (1924-2017) registered ‘Lange Uhren GmbH’ with Dresden district court (7 December 1990). On 24 October 1994, A. Lange & Söhne launched its inaugural collection, comprising four models. Interestingly, three of them featured a large date display, including the now iconic Lange 1.
Image – A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 – the first three generations (1995, 2009 and 2015)
Referencing the founder’s year of birth, the first iteration of the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 was unveiled in 1995 and, surprisingly, there wasn’t a date display in sight. The case measured 35.9 mm in diameter and was initially offered in a choice of platinum or yellow gold, with a pink gold variant arriving later. This model featured a hand-wound movement, the caliber L941.1.
In 2009, the second generation 1815 was unveiled. It was larger, measuring 40 mm, and was again offered in a choice of noble metals. The watch featured an upgraded movement, the caliber L051.1, a movement that has remained in service ever since.
The third generation of the model was launched at SIHH 2014. I remember attending the brand’s presentation and wondering how it was different from its antecedent of 2009. It later transpired that the case was a ‘smidgen’ smaller at 38.5 mm; however, in the world of exalted watchmaking, ‘smidgens’ matter.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) – reassuringly familiar
Within the confines of the Manufactory, there is a team of talented individuals working on new models. Some references are conspicuously fresh, attracting many column inches in the watch press. On the other hand, with some ‘novelties’ the differences are so subtle that even when compared with their forebears, only their mother can tell them apart. This is not a bad thing. On the contrary, it respects those clients who have invested in a classically styled watch, hoping its eye-appeal will endure. Lange makes seemingly tiny improvements to existing models that deliver advancement without rendering previous models obsolete.
At this year’s Watches & Wonders, the German marque has unveiled the new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm). Yes, its dial is now executed in blue, it’s a little smaller, measuring 34 mm in diameter, and a ‘smidgen’ thinner (6.4 mm), but otherwise, so far, so 1815.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) – dial
Formerly blued steel, the lancine-style hour and minute hands make a return appearance; however, they are now executed in gold, matching the chosen case material. Each hour is marked with white Arabic numerals, while a small seconds indication, incorporating snailed detail, resides at the base of the dial.
Like the previous version (38.5) mm, the dial is formed of 925 silver; however, it is now dressed in a regal shade of blue. This new hue is the most noticeable difference with the 1815 (34 mm) variant. Appraising the dial at close quarters reveals a wonderful array of depths, with the central area sitting below the hour track. A crisp chemin de fer fringes the dial, aiding readability and contributing to the model’s prepossessing appearance.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) – case
As mentioned earlier, the dimensions of the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) have been reduced. On reading this, some may question its significance; however, to reduce the diameter of a watch by 4.5 mm and its thickness by 2.4 mm is no small achievement. It’s not simply a matter of chucking the case in the washing machine and putting it on a hot cycle. No, the proportions of the watch must be viewed in the round with due consideration given to the width of the bezel, the lugs, ergonomics, dial legibility and visual appearance.
The bezel is subtly stepped, a detail that inevitably heightens cost but imbues the new case with a harmonious mien. The lugs arc sharply downwards, enticing the strap to encircle the wrist. Lange presents the bezel and lugs in highly polished form, while the remaining surfaces are brushed. This latter finish is particularly noticeable on the caseband where it confers a tasteful quotient of contrast.
Offered in a choice of 18-carat white gold or 18-carat pink gold, both options are matched with a coordinating alligator strap and prong buckle.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) – calibre L152.1
While many watch obsessives will spot the new dial hue and note the model’s stated diameter, one of the biggest differences with the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) is its new movement. Once again, this isn’t a case of simply shaving a few millimetres off the mainplate and three-quarter plate and then squeezing the movement into a smaller housing. Beyond its dimensions, due consideration has to be given to precision, reliability and aesthetics.
The ‘newly developed manufacture calibre L152.1′ is the brand’s ’75th calibre since the re-establishment of the manufacture’. With a cursory glance, it may look identical to the calibre L051.1, but a closer look reveals several small differences. In particular, the jewels have been moved, a tell-tale sign that the constructeurs have made some significant changes to the gear train. In fact, Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development, states the new calibre L152.1 is equipped with a new gear train. However, the changes don’t end there.
Image – A. Lange & Söhne calibre L152.1
The new movement features a new balance spring and large screw balance. Lange states these deliver ‘supreme precision across the entire power reserve’. And, speaking of the power-reserve, it has increased to 72 hours, which is a significant improvement over the calibre L051.1 (55 hours).
Image – A. Lange & Söhne calibre L051.1
Despite said mechanical newness, Lange has gained a reputation for only embracing change when it confers progress. Quite simply, the brand doesn’t alter its products unnecessarily. For example, consider the calibre L152.1, it continues to incorporate the brand’s traditional approach to finishing. The mainplate is adorned with perlage, the three-quarter plate is decorated with Glashütte ribbing and thermally blued screws abound. Other delights include, gold chatons, a hand-engraved balance cock, gleaming screws and mirror-polishing on the swan neck and escape wheel cap. Über-refined, the calibre L152.1 upholds the brand’s reputation for excellence. Thankfully, A. Lange & Söhne has equipped this watch with an exhibition caseback, indulging inquisitive eyes with a mechanical vista par excellence.
Image – A. Lange & Söhne calibre L152.1
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) – closing remarks
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm) is infused with all that is wonderful about the firm based in the Ore Mountains. Indeed, it is the antithesis of ‘conspicuous consumption’. Like its antecedents, this latest Lange creation is imbued with the brand’s customary excellence and remains understated, elegant, simple and functional, despite its smaller dimensions. Indeed, it is a fitting tribute to the company’s founder who was born in the Baroque city of Dresden in 1815; a date that will undoubtedly be familiar to many discerning horophiles.
Further reading
https://www.alange-soehne.com/
Technical specification
- Model: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 (34 mm)
- Reference: 220.028 (18-carat white gold)
- Reference: 220.037 (18-carat pink gold)
- Case: diameter 34.0 mm, height 6.4 mm, sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds with stop seconds
- Movement: Lange manufacture calibre L152.1, hand-wound movement, frequency 21,600 vph (3 Hz), contains 21 jewels, power reserve 72 hours when fully wound, 171 components
- Strap: colour-coordinating alligator strap paired with a prong buckle
- Price: €27,000 (RRP as of 1.4.2025)