While its distinctive design is deeply rooted in the tradition of Saxon watchmaking artistry, it emanates an individual elegance with its compact case dimensions and refined colour combinations. Two special editions in 750 pink and white gold extend the model range, each one limited to 300 watches.
The new 1815 UP/DOWN focuses entirely on its eponymous function. Typical of many Lange watches, the display has a long-standing tradition in Saxon precision watchmaking. The AB (DOWN) marker represents the unwound movement, whereas AUF (UP) indicates the fully wound movement which provides a maximum power reserve of 72 hours.
While the power-reserve indicator is frequently paired with additional functions in other timepieces, it has the starring role in the 1815 UP/DOWN. Opposite the subsidiary seconds dial, an auxiliary dial positioned at 8 o՚clock informs the wearer how long the watch will continue to run. From the mechanical point of view, the special facet of the display in the 1815 UP/DOWN is that it is not a module added to an existing calibre. Instead, it is directly integrated in the movement with a specially designed, space-saving planetary gear system.
Hence, it reflects the pursuit of perfection championed by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the founder of Saxon precision watchmaking, whose birth year makes up the first part of the watch name. It was his vision to build pocket watches that harmoniously combine precision, functionality and elegance.
Classic pocket watch design – contemporary colour combination
The railway-track minute scale, the easily legible Arabic numerals and the recessed central dial segment evoke memories of historic Lange pocket watches. In the two new pink- and white-gold versions, these design elements are showcased on a blue dial, endowing the timepiece with a contemporary face and thus creating a captivating contrast with the argenté-coloured auxiliary dials of the UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator and the subsidiary seconds dial with its blued hands. The lancet-shaped hour and minute hands match the respective case colour. The slender, subtly tiered bezel frames the dial that was clearly designed with great attention to detail.
The compact case diameter of 37.5 millimetres and a height of a mere 8.7 millimetres enable well-balanced proportions, resulting in the characteristic elegance of the watch. The stylish appearance is rounded off with a blue alligator leather strap in the white-gold version while the pink-gold model is worn on a reddish-brown strap.
Traditional watchmaking artistry melded with artisanal perfection
A glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the mechanical beauty of the manually wound L051.2 manufacture calibre. The characteristic elements reminiscent of historic pocket watches include the traditional three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver, the visibly integrated winding wheels embellished with solarisation as well as the seven gold chatons secured by blued screws. Beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, a classic screw balance, an indexless oscillation system and a Lange balance spring crafted in-house assure high rate accuracy.
The new model versions of the 1815 UP/DOWN will be presented at this year’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.
