Our friends from Saxony, A. Lange & Söhne have decided to expand its range of dial and metals for its Datograph chronograph collection several months ago. Two new highly attractive models, one a Datograph Up/Down in 18K pink gold with black dial and the other, an 18K white gold Datograph Perpetual with grey dial are now available. The Datograph Perpetual —available in 18K pink gold and silver dial up until now— is now also available in 18K white gold with a grey dial making it even more appealing to watch connoisseurs. The argenté-colored subsidiary dials and deep-blue moon disc on the new model of the Datograph Perpetual stand out particularly clearly thanks to the dial’s subtle grey background. Since 2006, the name has represented a combination of a flyback chronograph and a perpetual calendar, which will not require correction until 2100. If this does ever become necessary, however, the calendar indicators can be advanced either individually or synchronously. Its chronograph can measure times to an accuracy of one-fifth of a second.
The Dial
The new A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual ref. 410.038 is fitted with a stunning silver gray dial with rhodium subdials. The dial is somewhat busy due to the fact that the chronograph registers overlap with the perpetual calendar indicators. The subdial at 8 o'clock features the day of the week, a day/night indicator and running seconds, while the subdial at 4 o'clock features month indicator, 30-minute precisely jumping chrono register and leap year indicator. The moon phase indicator with its blue disc and mirror polished moon brings a very nice contrasting accent to the dial. A tachymeter scale surrounds the stepped dial with a white font. Three blued hands and rhodium plated white gold markers complete the elegant design of the dial.
The Case, Pushers, Crown & Strap
In good old A. Lange & Söhne fashion, the case measuring 41 mm in diameter and 13.5 mm in thickness —in white gold as ref. 410.038 or in 18K rose gold as ref. 410.032—, features a mirror polished finish on the bezel and horns and alternating satin brushed and highly polished areas on the caseband.
The traditional date adjustment pusher is located at 10 o'clock and in order to prevent the indications from being inadvertently changed, this pusher can only be pressed when the crown is pulled out. The watch features rectangular rounded pushers for the flyback chronograph and asigned A. Lange & Söhne winding crown. Three conveniently located correctors —one located between the crown and the reset/flyback pusher to adjust the month, while the other two are on the left side caseband— allow for easy adjustment of the perpetual calendar.
The Datograph Perpetual is equipped with a black alligator strap with matching Lange pin buckle. The strap is very supple and nicely finished.
The Movement
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual is powered by the Lange in-house manual wound calibre L952.1 with German silver bridges and mainplate. All 556 parts composing this manufacture calibre are lavishly finished. The sharply polished reentrant angles of many calibre components are an indication of the amount of work involved: this delicate, time-consuming process can only be executed by hand. The 8- teeth column wheel coordinates all the switching operations of the chronograph mechanism. Rockers and levers of various shapes engage with this wheel. The considerable length of the levers is due to the special dial arrangement. They bypass the oversize date mechanism and bridge the distance to the subsidiary dials located below the center line. The calibre is fully visible via the display case back and is a real treat for the eyes, just like on all other Lange timepieces.
Lange’s proprietary balance with six precisely adjustable poising weights assures superior rate accuracy. It is powered by a balance spring crafted in-house at Lange. Each spring is scrupulously matched to the characteristic of the respective movement to assure optimized rate values at its frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour. The bridge where the swan-neck regulator sits on—one of the staples of Saxonian watchmaking— is exquisitely finished and accentuated by the blued screw on it.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the watch wears true to its size and extremely comfortably granted that you have a wrist size anywhere between 6.5 and 7.25" in circumference. If you are a Lange lover or just a mere watchlifestyler that appreciates the best of the best horological creations, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual, is a must have in any collection. While we've been huge fans of this watch since its release almost ten years ago, we feel that this new metal/dial combination in 18K white gold and gray dial, just made it even better.
Sticker Price $137,800 USD. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.
