Released in 1994 shortly after their resurgence, the Lange 1 is widely considered one of the most recognizable 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 and a stalwart of the brand. Created during A. Lange & Söhne'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 never ceased to exist all those years ago.
Beginning with its construction, this A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Ref. 101.039 that I have here features a beautifully crafted 38.5mm white gold case that stands 9.8mm tall and retains the classic dress watch aesthetic that Lange has been known for its entire existence. Circular with rounded edges and elegant flared lugs, the white gold case is the perfect pairing to the Ref. 101.039’s serene silver dial.
Standing out against that beautiful dial, the Lange 1's asymmetrical layout is all the more captivating with its off-centre outsize date indication—inspired by the Five-Minute Clock in the Semper Opera House. Notably, the date can be conveniently adjusted using a dedicated pusher at 10:00 on the case. The aesthetics of the dial is also further enhanced by the use of beautiful faceted hands and applied Roman numerals. With its asymmetrical hour and minute sub-dials, a small seconds sub-dial at 5:00, as well as a power reserve indicator positioned between 2:00 and 4:00 (with AB indicating empty and AUF full), the Lange 1 has established itself as a key piece in the brand's iconic collection, offering remarkable functionality for a dress watch.
Given the name and title of the listing, what makes this piece particularly unique is its "error dial". If you look closely, you'll notice that the 'VI' marker at 6:00 is not inverted and instead the correct way up. Standard 101.039’s had the ‘VI’ marker upside down. It should be noted that imperfections like this are quite a rare occurrence in high-end watchmaking and while it might seem like something insignificant, mistakes like these excite collectors.
While with this example it is all about the anomaly on the front side, I’ve mentioned it before in many of our previous A. Lange & Söhne listings and I'll say it again: one of the best things about owning an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece is the opportunity to admire the movement from behind. Powering this complexity lies A. Lange & Söhne's manual-wind Cal. L901.0 movement. Methodically beating away at 21,600 BPH, this movement provides an impressive 72 hours of power reserve on a full wind and is proudly displayed behind the Lange 1's exhibition caseback. With its emphatic finishing throughout, stunning ¾ plate, charming German silver architecture, and beautifully engraved balance cock—A. Lange & Söhne's signature, the Cal. L901.0 is a fitting tribute to the incredible watch it powers.
Overall, while any Lange 1 is in its own right special, this 101.039 with its tiny error is for collectors looking for that little bit extra. Certainly, a conversation piece that only the most discerning collector would notice, a German brand known for its meticulous finishing having a slip-up like this is certainly a quirk that I find both amusing and charming.
