Haute Complication: A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar

Within the collection of A. Lange & Söhne, the Lange 1 holds a unique position. After being introduced 27 years ago, it quickly became almost synonymous with the brand. With its prominent case and asymmetrical dial, it also rapidly achieved the status of an icon. Not surprisingly, as it combines its good looks with a superb movement, both in design, execution, as well as finish. What might come as a surprise is that the Lange 1 was never available with just a perpetual calendar but always combined it with other complications. With the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar, this all changes and brings A. Lange & Söhne this complication in its purest form to its signature collection.

While the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is a rather classic watch in terms of design, it is still unlike most other perpetual calendars. The asymmetrical design of this timepiece plays a crucial part in this. A. Lange & Söhne utilized the space within the almost 42mm large case so perfectly that this Lange 1 offers a lot of information but doesn’t look crowded. The subdial for the hours and minutes, as well as the oversized date, are most prominent. They are flanked by an elegant hand indicating the days, as well as a smaller subdial showing the seconds, with integrated into it, the moon phase with unique day/night indication. The months are printed on a ring that moves outside the dial, and its indicator at six o’clock also doubles as a window for the leap year indication.

The Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is powered by caliber L021.3. This movement is the 67th that A. Lange & Söhne developed, and based on the L021.1 that can be found in the Lange 1 Daymatic. It is a classic A. Lange & Söhne caliber, with its bridges made of untreated German silver, engraved balance cock, and gold chatons secured with blued screws. The Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is available in two different versions: one with a pink gold case and a silver-grey dial, as well as a limited edition of 150 pieces, combining a pink gold dial with a white gold case. In either variation is the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar a breathtaking watch that is a welcome addition, finally bringing one of the most popular complications to this A. Lange & Söhne collection.