A. Lange & Söhne / 1815

FEATURES Portrait of an Iconic Piece

2020.09.19

A. Lange & Söhne

The 1815, released in 1995, was a "basic watch" designed with the average user in mind, not for enthusiasts. However, the 1815 is a very interesting example when considering the future of A. Lange & Söhne and German luxury watchmaking. At first glance, the 1815 seems unchanged from its debut. However, the truth is that it has changed dramatically over the past 20 years.

Masamasa Hirota: Interview and text Masato Yoshie: Photos
[Serialization No. 26 / First published in the July 2015 issue of Chronos Japan]

1815 [Ref.206.032]
The first standard model to feature a transparent back

1815 [Ref. 206.032]
First released in 1995. This is A. Lange & Söhne's first simple three-hand watch. It is equipped with the round Caliber L941 series. Manual winding. 21 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 45 hours. 18 KPG (diameter 35.6 mm). Water resistant to 30 meters. Reference product. A. Lange & Söhne collection.

　Günter Blümlein, who drove the revival of A. Lange & Söhne, seems to have had Patek Philippe in mind when he was reviving the brand. Since he passed away in 2000, I have no way of verifying whether this is true. However, some people involved say that he was trying to come up with a different approach than Patek Philippe.

　This is exemplified by the four models first released in 1994: the Lange 1, the Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite," the Saxonia, and the Arcade. Interestingly, none of these models feature a simple three-hand round movement, something that is essential for any watch manufacturer. Perhaps Blümlein intentionally dropped the "normal watch" model to differentiate itself.

　However, he understood that differentiation alone would not bring great success. In fact, in a 97 interview with Uhren Austria magazine, Blümlein said:

"The sophisticated 'banker's watch' with a small seconds at 6 o'clock has a future."

　The sophisticated banker's watch he described was the "1815," released in 95. It was powered by the round L941.1 movement. Furthermore, the case back was finally changed to a transparent one (the earliest models had a solid back), allowing the watchmaker to view the excellent movement. It was only after this that A. Lange & Söhne began to display its movements.

　Although this three-hand, manual-winding watch did not attract as much attention as the Lange 1 or Datograph, the 1815 would go on to become A. Lange & Söhne's "bread and butter" and grow into a major collection that supported the company's foundation.

(Top left) The dial design was adapted from the 1994 "Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite." The dial is made of 925 silver, modeled after A. Lange & Söhne's earlier models. The slightly roughened finish was quite unusual at the time of its release. (Top right) The hands are made of 18K gold platinum, exclusive to the PG case (18K white gold for the WG case). In contrast, the yellow gold and platinum models feature tempered blue hands. However, perhaps due to insufficient strength of the saddle seat or discoloration of the RG hands, the new 1815 model released in 2009 switched to standard tempered blue. (Center) Case side. The so-called "cylinder case" with its trimmed sides is paired with boxy lugs. This model's case should have been polished after shipment, but even if it hadn't been polished, A. Lange & Söhne's case polishing at the time was somewhat lacking. (Bottom left) The round L941.1 is visible through the case back. Looking at the sketches by designer Reinhard Meiss, the 1815 was originally intended to have a transparent case back. However, the first batch produced in 1995 had a solid case back. Because the rectangular movement was modified, the crown wheel is positioned quite far back in the movement. (Bottom right) The flared lugs are characteristic of A. Lange & Söhne. However, by modern standards, they are quite slim.