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Here are Our Thoughts On The New A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum Watch

Considered a hot piece of horological ingenuity, the new Lange 1 Time Zone is undoubtedly one of the leaders in best worldtimer watches.
Introduced in 2005, the Saxon giant has lit a timekeeping flame under this new timepiece signalling a return to former glories for the brand.
With its signature outsize date and uncompromising visuals, this super sleek traveller’s timepiece comes complete with a new 950-platinum case, solid silver dial and brand new movement.
Featuring a snappy GMT function on the dial to determine night from day, the new Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum offers excellent functionality with a “stealth” like appearance.

Lange 1 - The Back Story

When we think of modern icons, we might consider Andrew Tate, Ed Sheeran or perhaps Harry Styles. But there’s only one direction we are going in…luxury watches.

Source: Fifth Wrist

One of the horological saviours after the so-called Quartz Crisis has to go to the Lange 1. Like a timekeeping phoenix from the flames it cannot be underestimated how significant this watch is to A. Lange & Söhne. Put it like this. It is what the Oyster Perpetual or the Daytona has done for Rolex.

Risen from the ashes in 1994, it is considered a watchmaking great at the forefront of German craftsmanship. All thanks to Günter Blümlein, former head of LMH. After reviving both IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, his vision was for a “Made in Germany” ethos which he executed alongside Walter Lange. From 1990, the foundations were consecrated which would catapult A. Lange & Söhne into the highest echelons of horology.

This came to fruition on the 24th of October 1994 when Günter Blümlein, Walter Lange and Hartmut Knothe launched the initial A. Lange & Söhne lineup at the Dresden Royal Palace. A debonair and daring timepiece brimming with complications, the original Lange 1 and its characteristics can be seen in the new Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum.

A technical masterpiece with traditional German movements and finishing such as hand-engraved balance cocks, it has been as faithful as your pet labrador. This truly is a man’s best friend, evoking style, refinement and simplicity.

Uncompromising in both form and function, it incorporates an outsize date, paying tribute to the digital clock located above the main stage at the Opera House in Dresden. Symmetry and balance play key roles in the makeup of this timepiece while nothing has been spared when it comes to the sizing and location of each individual element. A clean collection spanning 12 different models the Lange 1 collection includes;

Lange 1
Little Lange 1
Lange 1 Tourbillon
Lange 1 Moon Phase
Grand Lange 1
Grand Lange 1 Luna Mundi
Lange 1 Time Zone
Little Lange 1 Moon Phase
Lange 1 Daymatic
Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar
Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase
Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar

When Did The Lange 1 Time Zone Launch?

Originally unveiled in 2005, the Lange 1 Time Zone was not revamped for fifteen years until 2020, complete with a new movement, and improving performance.

Source: Fifth Wrist

Available in three forms, namely pink gold, white gold and yellow gold with the latter featuring only 100 pieces, the dial was as unique as a snowflake. But this didn’t receive a frosty reception…far from it. Equipped with not just the home time, it also had a second time zone via the cities displayed on the city ring corresponding to 24 separate time zones.

What Is A GMT Watch?

Suitable for the jetsetter or extensive traveller, GMT watches give horophiles and enthusiasts the opportunity to check both the local time and original home time in the blink of an eye.

Although numerous GMT watches have an extra central hour hand that points directly to a 24-hour scale surrounding the dial, or day/night function when not having this element, the new Lange 1 Time Zone struts its stuff with a little more horological flair with top-notch legibility on the dial.

Despite the layout not being that groundbreaking you should still look to buy an A. Lange & Söhne. It is incredibly immersive and easy to grasp, even for newbie enthusiasts. Local time zones can be found in the bigger disc situated just off centre complete with Roman numerals. Meanwhile, the second time zone is based in the smaller disc on the dial kitted out with Arabic numerals.

This doesn’t affect however the classic layout of this timepiece that many have come to adore with its oversized date window based at 2 o’ clock. Like fish and chips, these items just go together effortlessly. As for the second time zone, there’s an additional arrow on the smaller sub dial which relates to the host of cities encircling the dial face. This corresponds to the particular time zone, be it New York, London, Berlin or Los Angeles.

source: A. Lange & Söhne

In addition, travellers can glance in order to determine whether it is night or day. How does A. Lange & Söhne make this clever distinction possible for both time-zones? By the minuscule blue city ring indicators.

How deft of them. Setting the time-zone one location at a time is a simple process thanks to the corrector button which is located at 8 o’clock. Just align the golden arrow in the smaller sub dial to position it as your specific destination and Bob’s your uncle, you’ve got the time-zone nailed down to a tee.

The visuals are nonetheless not ruined despite the reference cities on the outer section of the dial. Everything has been carefully thought out to the minutest detail from its time-zones to the iconic outsize date as well as the power reserve indicator which can be clearly seen at all times.

As the infamous Carlsberg ads put it mildly, If A. Lange & Söhne did watches, they would probably be the best watches in the world.

Personality Of The Lange 1 Time Zone - Platinum Version

Measuring 41.9mm x 10.9mm, the new Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum version is a solid silver number that is attractive with a whiff of elegance. We like the monochromatic dial that is complimented by rhodium plating that accentuates the similarly plated hands and appliques.

Source: A. Lange & Söhne

This combo is known in collecting circles as “stealth” emanating from this classic look seen on this new novelty, in keeping with a genuine Haute Horologie contender. With a brand spanking new platinum case, a highly revered and costly timekeeping material it emanates as much prestige as the Coronation of King Charles III.

The bigger circle on the dial is the home time zone while the smaller one relates to the second time-zone. As mentioned earlier, the corrector button when pushed has the ability to switch eastwards, one zone at a time.

Made of 67 components it is as complex as the theory of evolution but functions impeccably. Another sublime element of technical skills comes in the form of showcasing Daylight Saving Time (DST).

This is showcased beautifully on the new Lange 1 Time Zone by the arrow that is segmented according to if the chosen location has daylight-saving time. If daylight-saving time is present where the pointer sits the tiny window is daubed in a red accent. This is reflected in the New York image above).

Source: A. Lange & Söhne

In this way, if standard time is recorded annually in that particular city, then nothing changes. As you know when you buy a watch or sell a watch through Chrono Hunter, it is about the finer details from our peerless service to multiple offers and our trusted network of the best luxury retailers.

Well, the new Lange 1 Time Zone is no different concerning the meticulousness, precision and thoroughness. The differentiation between night and day time-zones is nothing short of rigorous with coloured indicators representing both day and night in the middle of each disc. Another nifty trick is if you press down the time-zone correction button, it will cessate the hour hand from working on the time-zone dial. What use is this, I hear you cry?

In essence, holding this down enables the user to set the principal time independently while the date can be adjusted via the date correction pusher located at 10.

Other Specs

Reference number: 136.025

Jewels: 38

Number of components: 448

Case: 950 platinum

Case material: Platinum

Strap: Platinum prong buckle

Limited edition: No

Water resistance: 30 metres

Strap material: Black, alligator leather

Lug to lug distance: 22mm

Don’t Miss A Beat With The Calibre L141.1

Pulsating at the heart of the new Lange 1 Time Zone is the predecessor L141.1 movement, found in the 2020 editions of these watches.

Calibre L141.1, Source: Watchbase

And there is plenty to drool over with its screw balance, oscillating balance spring, screwed gold chatons and three-quarter plate composed of German silver that’s been untreated and has added ribbing.

Whether we throw out the terms hand-etched balance cock or blued screws, the architecture of the movement is extremely admirable. Top notch Lange decoration that’s been put together twice can be viewed and gasped at via the caseback made from sapphire crystal.

Now including a single mainspring barrel which does not interfere with the inner workings or functionality, the new Lange 1 Time Zone beats away at a 21,600Vph or 3Hz and enjoys a weekend-proof 72 hour power reserve.

How Much Does A Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum Cost?

Available in the brand’s boutique stores, you can only buy an A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum upon request. However, there is a model in pink gold available (ref. 136.032) which is priced around £61,000 at the time of writing.

What’s Our View?

Time for the final verdict. But first, a quick word from our timekeeping sponsors - A. Lange & Söhne;

“The Lange 1 Time Zone is an expressive manifestation of our manufactory’s efforts to challenge conventions and break new ground in precision watchmaking through innovative advancements and constructions, Only in proceeding in this way, do we succeed in developing things from the ground up and building watches that offer unique functions and inimitable designs. Progress and tradition go hand in hand to accommodate our quest for perfection.” proclaims their CEO Wilhelm Schmid.

Yet it’s as if they have literally stepped back in time to 1994 when the rebranding was high on the horological agenda. When The Spice Girls were dominating the pop charts and Pulp Fiction was released, we have all gone a bit zigazig ah for the new Lange 1 Time Zone.

First rate ingenuity, outstanding technical prowess, excellent GMT functionality and a family of watches that now include tourbillons, perpetual calendars and moon phases sees this a welcome addition to any serious collectors drawer.

What We Like

- A rock solid watch from a very sought after brand.

- First rate time zone complication for telling the time thanks to its local and second time zone indicators.

- Solid silver monochromatic dial.

- Powered by the brand’s own L141.1 movement, ensuring the same 72 hour power reserve as its 2005 predecessor.

- A sleek and sophisticated travel watch for the debonair gent or extensive traveller.

- Immersive presentation of the dual time zones and case making it a horophile fan’s favourite such as the highly respected Lange 1 “Stealth.”

Conclusion

Is it a dress timepiece? Quite possibly. Is it a worldtimer? Potentially speaking, it might work for some enthusiasts. Yet, A. Lange & Söhne offer far more than chronograph watches which is the first thing that springs to mind such as the Datograph.

In fact with the recent release of the new 1815 Rattrapante chronograph, this has cemented the brand as one of the finest watchmakers in this category. Full of vigour with the finest German engineering this is not a case of Form und Technik like the IWC Ingenieur (which again is a must look at timepiece!)

Timeless, superb legibility and a terrific time-zone display ensures this remains just as hot as it did in 1994. I tell you what I want, what I really really want, so tell me what you want what you really, really want…I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really really wanna flex this number to all and sundry.

Talk about having the whole world in your hands.

Want to buy an A. Lange & Söhne the smart way with a quick turnaround? Looking to add an A. Lange & Söhne to your collection or would like to sell an A. Lange & Söhne quickly? Contact ChronoHunter here to see how we can assist in your horological pursuit. Receive multiple offers from our most reputable retailers and accept the one which is right for you. Download our dedicated app today or simply enter the details via our simple online form. Whether purchase or sell, experience peerless service, unparalleled brand knowledge and top prices paid when you buy a watch or sell a watch.

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