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A. Lange & Söhne's iconic chronograph gets a good dose of cool and a technical twist.
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph needs little introduction. Presented in 1999 and updated in 2012, it is one of the most iconic chronographs on the market. The Dato features a flyback chronograph with a precisely jumping minutes counter, two sub-dials recognizable because of their unusual positioning, a quick-set oversized date and a power reserve indicator. Overall, the architecture and the finishing of its movement are a feast for the eyes. Any new model in the series always brings curiosity and excitement among A. Lange & Söhne fans (including team MONOCHROME…) So, when we learnt that the Datograph Up/Down was getting the “Lumen” treatment, it naturally caught our attention.
The “Lumen” touch
A. Lange & Söhne watches are distinctively German, instantly recognizable for their functional and minimal design. Everything looks balanced, structured and crafted in the respect of a long-lasting watchmaking tradition. The Lumen series reinterprets this classic style with a technical, modern twist. With the Lumen series, parts of the dial are made of dark tinted semi-transparent sapphire. This treatment filters out most of the visible light but lets the luminous pigments get charged with light energy. That causes all the displays to glow in the light contrasting against the black background.
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Lumen is the fourth watch of the Glashütte-based brand to receive a Lumen treatment:
- 2010 – Zeitwerk Lumen, platinum – limited edition of 100 watches
- 2013 – Grand Lange 1 Lumen, platinum – limited edition of 200 watches
- 2016 – Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen – platinum, limited edition of 200 watches
- 2018 – Datograph Lumen Up/Down, platinum – limited edition of 200 watches
The new Datograph Lumen Up/Down
Most of the indications on the Datograph Lumen Up/Down have received this glowing treatment. The hour and minute hands are filled with luminous material and the chronograph sweep-seconds hand is coated with the same compound. The chronograph counters, the minute scale and tachymeter are luminescent too. Last but not least, the outsize date glows and is legible in the dark as well! The sapphire glass that covers the dial, with a light-permeable coating, allows the numerals to be charged with enough photonic energy to then emit it in the dark.
Just like for the previous Lumen editions, the case has been forged from the noblest of all metals: platinum. The lugs and bezel are finely polished and the mid-case is straight brushed. 41mm in diameter, it features the crown and chronograph pushers on the right-hand side. The pusher on the left-hand side is for adjusting the outsize date. Each press advances the date one day. Overall, the case is the same as the regular Datograph Up/Down.
Turning the watch over, the exhibition caseback offers a breathtaking view of the hand-wound column-wheel calibre L951.7. The architecture, the depth, the impressive finishing of the 454-part movement are simply superb. The bridges and plates are crafted from untreated German silver: the flat surfaces are adorned with Glashütte striping and the balance cock is engraved by hand. Four gold chatons are each held in place by three heat blued screws. The balance is free-sprung and features 6 eccentric poising weights. Running at 18,000 vibrations per hour, the beat can be adjusted thanks to a swan-neck.
Interestingly, the movement is slightly higher (8.1mm vs. 7.9mm) than the regular Datograph version and it has more parts (454 vs. 451) because of the adaptations necessary to make the movement noctilucent.
A limited edition of 200 pieces, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Lumen Up/Down is worn on an alligator strap with a platinum pin buckle. Price is set at EUR 95,000 (compared to EUR 82,500 for the regular Datograph). For more information, please visit www.alange-soehne.com.
A new A. Lange & Söhne boutique in the heart of Dresden
In September 2007, the world’s first-ever A. Lange & Söhne boutique opened in Dresden, right next to the Frauenkirche church in Quartier F. On 24 October 2018, the new Lange Boutique will open in the newly built Palais City One on Neumarkt, with a retail space of 176 square metres and a brand-new design concept.
Today, A. Lange & Söhne has 20 of its own boutiques and around 210 sales points at retailers offering the current collection worldwide. The first with a new design for the brand, the new boutique is taking up a prominent position in Dresden’s city centre. It will be something of a showcase for the manufactory – which is located in Glashütte, 30 km from Dresden.
