SIHH 2004 – Novelties

The Lange team’s fortunes changed in 2004 with the introduction of the fabulous Double Split Chronograph – a world premiere. Work on this magnificent movement began in 2000, and thus the caliber named, according to Lange nomenclature as the L001.1 – the Double Split.

Double Split Chronograph

The watch features a rattrapante function but with a twist. The split second lap time can be measured up to 30mins. Regular rattrapante chronographs feature the split lap time measurements of up to 60s, before the main chrono hand catches up with the main rattrapante hand, but when it does so on the Lange Double Split, the jumping minute totalizer also splits, allowing the second lap time to be tracked for up to 30mins difference to the first lap time.

Further, the engagement of the rattrapante mechanism in many traditional split seconds watches are often accompanied by a loss of amplitude, due to additional drag of the stopped first lap time hand held in place by the heart cam mechanism, slipping around the arbour of the main chrono hand. The Lange Double Split features a disengagement mechanism, developed specifically for this, and allows the rattrapante time to be held still while being disengaged from the main chrono hand, and thus adding no additional drag to the movement, resulting in no loss of amplitude. This is a novel concept, and a patent has been filed.

The watch is housed in a massive platinum case, 43mm in diameter, and 16.5mm in thickness to accommodate the three level movement (level 1- base movement, level 2- main chronograph mechanism, level 3- split mechanism). This watch weighs in at 220g, which one initially would suspect to be very heavy, only to be confirmed by handling the watch. But on putting the substantial watch on one’s wrist, it feels comfortable, because of the focused mass of the watch, and it sits comfortably on my wrists. As expected, all the buttons work very well, and the feel of the chrono pushers is similar to that of the Datograph – which is to say, very smooth, and positive feel. The rattrapante button at 10 o’clock is easy to operate, and the stopping and catching of the rattrapante hand is both precise and lag free.

The movement is labeled below for ease of identification, and for discussion.

A review of this magnificent watch will be done in due time, with wearing impressions and a technical discussion on the movement. For the time being, suffice it to say that the movement is finished in the usual immaculate Lange manner, and additionally features the largest balance wheel ever in a modern Lange watch. The balance wheel, developed in cooperation with sister company – Jaeger LeCoultre, features eccentric poising weights, a la gyromax, allowing the balance to beat freely at 21,600 bph. A special whiplash beat adjuster is also incorporated, and the balance spring features an overcoil, and is entirely made inhouse in Glashutte.

The watch retains the feature of a flyback capability, and the designers have chosen so that only the main chrono seconds hand flies back to reset, while allowing the user to retain the initially “memorized” first lap time shown by the rattrapante hand (and its corresponding minute totalizer).

The L001.1 is adjusted to 5 positions, with plate and bridges made of untreated cross laminated German silver, has a total of 465 parts, 40 jewels, and has the traditional hand engraved balance cock.

When pictures of the watch appeared in the various internet forums just before the SIHH fair, many nettizens had critized the dial design. Much of the criticism were centered around the fact that the Double Chronograph did not feature the Lange tradition of a large double date, whiles even more were unhappy that the power reserve indicator was a garish red. Yet others were unhappy about the railway track around the dial – which were marked in 360 divisions, allowing the chrono to measure up to 1/6s, as is possible due to the higher beat of the balance wheel of 21,600 bph.

A date was not incorporated, though this was a simple matter of adding the existing date plate to the movement, as it would increase the height of the movement by some 1.5mm, and to retain the aestetics of the movement, proportion would dictate an even larger diameter to the already borderline large watch. The case now stands at 43mm diameter, and 16.5mm height, adding the traditional Lange double date may make the case 45mm and 18mm height.

In a discussion at the SIHH booth, with the members of the LOG, a decision was taken to commission a further two styles of dials to evaluate how it would look, and possibly tweak the final product before it hits the stores in November this year –

1. with a third helper dial in white, with a railway track running from 2 to 10, divided into 8 sections, and a small blued steed hand indicating the power reserve. This will make the watch look like a tricompax.

2. with the power reserve dial in black, but with fine white markings running from 2 to 10 showing the power reserve in 8 sections, and a small white hand .

Also discussed were the adjustment of the lug size to 22mm, a possible elimination of the railway track around the outer edge of the dial, and moving of the “A. Lange & Sohne” trademark from the center of the dial just below the PR indicator, to a position which arcs across the edge of the dial, above the 12.

Keep tuned for developments.

New members of the 1815 family

New additions to the 1815 family were also introduced this year. The family, recognized by the familiar dial layout, with Arabic numerals, railway track, were joined by an automatic movement (1815 Automatic – basically a Langematic with a 1815 dial), and a gorgeous chronograph twin – in white gold and rose gold shown below:

The movement is a stripped down Datograph – with the date mechanism removed, and the result is handsome.

Cabaret Moonphase

Also new this year is a refresh of the Cabaret, which now also features a moonphase. The challenge of putting in a moonphase in a rectangular movement was challenging indeed, and as can be seen on the movement picture below, space on the plates were so cramped, that the moon disk had to overlap the date disk. The moon is a typical 1 day in 32 month accuracy, but adds a depth of beauty to this oft unloved watch. The movement, now carrying a caliber number of L931.5, has 268 parts, with no change in the case dimensions which remain at 36.3 x 27.5 mm.

April 24, 2004