Released in 1994 shortly after their resurgence, the Lange 1 is widely considered as one of the most recognisable watches to come out of A. Lange & Söhne's hallowed halls. Known for its archetypal Lange design, the Lange 1 combines dressy aesthetics with an unusual asymmetrical dial arrangement to create what has since become a true icon as a stalwart of the brand. Created during Lange's re-establishment in the '90s, the Lange 1 was among the first batch of novelties released to mark the Saxon brand's return to watchmaking, following the cessation of their operations in 1948. The purpose of the Lange 1 was to surprise watch experts, garner unanimous approval and address the question of what a modern A. Lange & Söhne watch would look like if the company had never ceased to exist all those years ago.
Beginning with its construction, this first-generation Lange 1 101.027 that I have here features a beautifully crafted 38.5mm x 9.8mm case in 18-carat white gold, and it retains the classic dress watch aesthetic that A. Lange & Söhne has been known for its entire existence. Circular with rounded edges and elegant flared lugs, the white gold case is a perfect canvas for the 101.027’s beautiful deep blue dial.
Standing out against that stunning blue dial, the Lange 1's asymmetrical layout is all the more captivating with its off-centred outsized date indication—inspired by the Five-Minute Clock in the Semper Opera House and adding a large area of contrast to the otherwise slightly darker tone of the dial. To top it off, the dial also hosts a set of faceted hands with applied Roman numerals. Furthermore, a pusher at 10:00 allows the user to easily jump the date, adding further usability to the watch. With an asymmetrically positioned hour and minute sub-dial, seconds sub-dial at 5:00, and a power-reserve indicator between 2:00 and 4:00 (here: AB means empty, and AUF means full), the Lange 1 has become a staple within the brand's portfolio of iconic timepieces with a surprising level of utility for a dress watch.
One of the best things about owning a timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne is the opportunity to admire the movement from behind. Powering this complexity lies A. Lange & Söhne's manual-winding Cal. L901.0 movement. Methodically beating away at 21,600 bph, this movement provides an impressive 72 hours of power reserve and is proudly displayed behind the Lange 1's exhibition caseback. With its emphatic finishing throughout featuring anglage and exceptional hand-finished chamfers, a stunning ¾ plate, charming German silver architecture, and beautifully engraved balance cock—as is A. Lange & Söhne's signature, the Cal. L901.0 is a fitting tribute to the incredible watch it powers.
With the current trend of neo-vintage watches coming back into vogue, it is no surprise that the first-generation, 38.5mm Lange 1s occupy a place in that pantheon. Produced only between 1997 and 2002, the Lange 1 101.027, with its captivating rich blue dial, remains one of the most aesthetically compelling variants to date.
