A Closer Look: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar

In the realm of haute horlogerie, German brand A. Lange & Söhne stands as an embodiment of precision, craftsmanship, and innovation. The renowned brand is regularly pushing boundaries and introducing complications that are the epitome of harmonious design and technology. Now, the brand does it again with a new Lange 1 Time Zone in platinum and an all-new 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar.

A Closer Look At A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar

This masterpiece harmoniously melds three remarkable complications – the split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, and moon-phase display – into an exquisite timekeeping instrument. The Caliber L101.1 that powers this watch ingeniously adjusts for leap years, day changes, and month transitions. The perpetual calendar, a “long-term memory,” is programmed with such accuracy that it would take just over 122 years for the moon phase indication to deviate by a single day.  The calendar is accurate to the year 2100, when the leap year that should occur will be skipped.

The rattrapante, or split-seconds chronograph, is a horological marvel that demands the highest level of engineering finesse. Beyond the conventional chronograph functions, the rattrapante can measure intermediate times, comparative times, and even minimum and maximum values within a single minute.

The movement beats at an impressive six semi-oscillations per second, ensuring precision to one-sixth of a second.  The manually wound manufacture movement consists of 631 individual parts, with the perpetual calendar mechanism comprised of 211 of those components. Thanks to a transparent sapphire crystal, the movement — with gold chatons, blued screws and hand-engraved balance cock – can be viewed.

The 41.9mm 18-karat white gold case boasts a pink-gold dial with peripheral minute scale that further enhances the beauty of the timepiece.  It boasts four subsidiary dials for a harmonious appeal. It is created in a limited edition of just  100 pieces.

“With three classic complications, the manufacture caliber L101.1 is one of our most complex movements.  Each one in itself already constitutes a technical feat; when combined, they represent a far greater challenge. For our designers and our watchmakers in equal measure, since the tweaking and tuning process of all mechanisms requires an exceptionally high degree of dexterity and technical expertise,” explains Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne.

Impressions of the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar

We know if A. Lange & Sohne is creating a new grand complication, it is going to be special from both the design standpoint and the technological aspect. The watch, with tis copper-hued gold dial is a study of balance, harmony and readability. The blued hands, the blue moonphase disk and the dark accents and numerals all come together for a cohesive, vintage-inspired but modern classic appeal. There is nothing not to like about this watch. Except maybe the fact that there will be only 100 pieces ever made.

The  Lange 1 Time Zone in platinum

While the first Lange 1 Time Zone made its debut in 2005, it has undergone a series of evolutions. The second generation, unveiled in 2020, was equipped with the then-new Caliber L141.1 with the added daylight saving time indication. The newest version is created in platinum with a rhodium-colored dial. Not limited in terms of numbers, but limited in terms of production, the watch displays the time at home and in another time zone at one glance. The various displays offer day/ night/ and daylight-saving time indication for the second time zone.   It also offers time indication in the world’s 24 zones.