A. Lange & Söhne have just unveiled a new extension of the 1815 watch family. The prestigious Saxony watchmaker here have presented a new version of the 1815 Chronograph with the stopwatch function. The watch combines a sumptuous white-gold case and a black dial with a pulsimeter scale.
As one of the most important and sought after mechanical functions in watches, the chronograph function represents an extra ability to measure time. The chronograph can be viewed from the front and back of the watch, with many levers and springs of the chronograph on display with the exhibition case back. A. Lange & Söhne has been crafting models with chronograph functions since 1999 – fitted with sapphire-crystal case backs like all other Lange watches.
The 1815 Chronograph was originally added to the 1815 family in 2004. The 1815 Chronograph is a clear example of the classic design employed by A. Lange & Söhne, whilst also displaying clear ingenuity with advanced technology. The traditional style elements are reminiscent of the pocket-watch era, and feature the classic railwaytrack minute scale and the symmetrical arranged subsidiary dials – the subsidiary seconds dial on the left, and the 30-minute counter on the right. These subsidiary dials represent a cohesive balanced proportion to the watch.
In 2010, the 1815 Chronograph was upgraded with a new movement. This new movement allowed for 60-hours power reserve and features a manufactory-made free-sprung balance spring. Its carefully calibrated with the large, cam-poised balances means that greater accuracy is ensured. The movement beats at a frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz), the watch can measure times with an accuracy of one fifth of a second.
The Calibre L951.5 movement also powers the new 1815 Chronograph in the 39.5mm 18K white gold case. The rhodiumed hands ensure perfect legibility against the backdrop of a stunning black and solid-silver dial. Heart rates can be determined with the pulsimeter scale on the outer ring of the dial. It is graduated from 40 to 200 beats. When the time for 30 beats is measured, the peripheral scale indicates the heart rate per minute. The personality of the newest member of the 1815 collection, characterised by the contrast of darkness and light, is finished with a black alligator leather strap and a solid white-gold Lange prong buckle.
A sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the sublime architecture and lavish finissage of the chronograph movement and provides a wonderful glimpse of the complex switching sequences. Among others, the movement shows the column wheel that controls the chronograph functions, the levers of the flyback mechanism, and the snail of the precise jumping minute-counter. The fascinating Lange escapement is also available to view. The stunning hallmarks of the Lange style include the whiplash spring of the precision beat-adjustment system on the hand-engraved balance cock.
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