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The Saxony watchmaker may have turned heads with its Grand Complication this year, but don’t overlook its simpler watches – especially the 1815 Up/Down.
A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Up/Down in white gold
If you’re putting together a list of the top timepieces of 2013, we bet our bottom dollar that A. Lange & Sohne's Grand Complication will feature among your top five. And rightly so, because this particular watch is truly one of the most gobsmacking pieces of horological art we’ve ever seen.
But while you’re drawing up that list, don’t neglect to consider the more understated watches from the Glashutte-based manufacture – especially its 1815 Up/Down.
Compared to the gamut of other more complicated tickers we’ve come across this year, the Lange 1815 Up/Down – an updated version of a previously discontinued model of the same name – epitomises sobriety, subtlety and poise.
The watch’s handsome dial (made of solid silver and argenté) only displays the hours, minutes and seconds as well as power reserve, making it refreshingly uncluttered, yet visually mesmerising at the same time.
A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Up/Down in yellow gold (left) and pink gold (right)
Turn the device over and you’ll witness the fine handiwork of the Lange craftsmen at play. Through the watch's open caseback, you’ll be able to admire the in-house calibre L051.2 movement, embellished with hand-decorated and engraved elements, blue-steel screws, gold chatons and red synthetic rubies.
Simply put, if you’re looking to add a handsome, everyday watch to your collection this year, you'd be hard-pressed to find another piece that's as outstanding.
Case: 18-carat yellow gold, white gold or pink gold
Movement: A. Lange & Sohne calibre L051.2 movement
Function: Hours, minutes, seconds, power-reserve indicator
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Price: S$36,400 (yellow gold); S$36,400 (pink gold); S$38,200 (white gold)
