Lange 1 | 101.027 | blue dial | White Gold
The Lange 1* is, in every way, deserving of being called a modern icon. One of the first watches made following the re-establishment of A. Lange & Söhne, it's simple yet distinctive design has commanded the respect of collectors. This early, white-gold Lange 1 ref. 101.027, featuring a striking dark blue dial, was produced for a handful of years at the turn of the century.
When A. Lange & Söhne was resurrected by Walter Lange (great grandson of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange) and Günter Blümlein (who had previously overseen the resurgence of IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre), they did so with four lines – Arkade, Saxonia, Tourbillon Pour le Mérite and the Lange 1. While each bore a distinct design language, the Lange 1 has come to be viewed as the quintessential A. Lange & Söhne and the purest expression of Glashütte watchmaking.
This reference 101.027, produced exclusively between 1997 and 2002, sets itself apart from other Lange 1’s thanks to its distinctive dark blue dial. The two subsidiary dials, with the indication for the hours, minutes and seconds, have a slightly darker, even finish. The rest of the dial features a vertical, satin-brushed finish, providing a subtle contrast with the lightly recessed subdials. The cult status of this early Lange 1 with blue dial is such that, in 2017, A. Lange & Söhne released a collection of watches with blue dials, directly inspired by this watch. Being an earlier piece from the German watchmaker, it is housed in a classically-sized 38.5mm case, similar to the original Lange 1.
The decentralised arrangement of the displays on the dial is characteristic, with the centers of the displays designed to form the corners of an isosceles triangle. The masterful use of empty space, with none of the displays overlapping, creates an overall sense of balance and refinement. In keeping with this classic styling, the watch features a crisp dark blue dial and faceted white gold hands. Exhibiting an aesthetic that is undeniably Lange, an oversized ‘outside’ aperture is displayed at the top right corner of the dial, inspired from the Five-Minute Clock at Semper Opera House in Dresden. At 3 o’clock, the power reserve is indicated in German, a reminder of the manufacturer’s origins.
Much attention is given to A. Lange & Söhne’s more technically-complicated watches, like the Datograph or Zeitwerk, but looking at this Lange 1, it is evident that their uncomplicated approach to form and design is equally noteworthy. More frequently produced with a white dial, this blue variant of the Lange 1 remains as elusive, as it is attractive.
The aesthetics of the movement are just as impressive as the mechanics, with chamfering and interior angles superbly hand-finished. Moreover, it features an artistic flourish, a balance-cock engraved by one of Lange’s master engravers. In fact, each individual watchmaker's unique engraving style can be identified as a result. The bridges and plates are made from German silver, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, with a warm silver tone that will develop a subtle patina over time. The use of this metal, along with the hand-engraved balance cock is a signature of A. Lange & Söhne.
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 houses a manual-winding calibre L901.0, with a 72-hour power reserve. The movement is comprised of 398 components, of which 54 are jewels and five screwed gold chatons – the latter of which are a mark of Lange’s traditionally German movement. The watch has a lever escapement and the balance beats at 21,600 A/h.
Closer look
| Brand: | A. Lange & Söhne |
| Model: | Lange 1 ref. 101.027 |
| Movement: | manual-winding calibre L901.0 |
| Functions: | hours, minutes, sub-seconds, date, power reserve indicator |
| Features: | blue dial, display back |
| Case material: | white gold |
| Case diameter: | 38.5mm |
| Case thickness: |
10mm |
| Lug-to-lug: |
47mm |
| Crystal: | sapphire front & back |
| Strap: | saffiano strap from our own collection, A. Lange & Söhne white gold pin buckle |
| Lug width: | 20 x 16mm |
| Year: | c. 2000 |
| Accompanying materials: | Original box, service book, Proof of Origin certificate (dated 2021) |
Condition
This A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 101.027 is in very good overall condition. Light superficial marks are found throughout, though only on the very surface of the material, more specifically on the upper right lug. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections. The hallmarks and engravings found on both the case and buckle are crisp and well defined.
The watch was fully serviced by A. Lange & Söhne, Germany, in 2021. The brand's own servicing warranty expired 16/08/2023.
Warranty
The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
Original: $40,247.97
-70%$40,247.97
$12,074.39
Description
The Lange 1* is, in every way, deserving of being called a modern icon. One of the first watches made following the re-establishment of A. Lange & Söhne, it's simple yet distinctive design has commanded the respect of collectors. This early, white-gold Lange 1 ref. 101.027, featuring a striking dark blue dial, was produced for a handful of years at the turn of the century.
When A. Lange & Söhne was resurrected by Walter Lange (great grandson of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange) and Günter Blümlein (who had previously overseen the resurgence of IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre), they did so with four lines – Arkade, Saxonia, Tourbillon Pour le Mérite and the Lange 1. While each bore a distinct design language, the Lange 1 has come to be viewed as the quintessential A. Lange & Söhne and the purest expression of Glashütte watchmaking.
This reference 101.027, produced exclusively between 1997 and 2002, sets itself apart from other Lange 1’s thanks to its distinctive dark blue dial. The two subsidiary dials, with the indication for the hours, minutes and seconds, have a slightly darker, even finish. The rest of the dial features a vertical, satin-brushed finish, providing a subtle contrast with the lightly recessed subdials. The cult status of this early Lange 1 with blue dial is such that, in 2017, A. Lange & Söhne released a collection of watches with blue dials, directly inspired by this watch. Being an earlier piece from the German watchmaker, it is housed in a classically-sized 38.5mm case, similar to the original Lange 1.
The decentralised arrangement of the displays on the dial is characteristic, with the centers of the displays designed to form the corners of an isosceles triangle. The masterful use of empty space, with none of the displays overlapping, creates an overall sense of balance and refinement. In keeping with this classic styling, the watch features a crisp dark blue dial and faceted white gold hands. Exhibiting an aesthetic that is undeniably Lange, an oversized ‘outside’ aperture is displayed at the top right corner of the dial, inspired from the Five-Minute Clock at Semper Opera House in Dresden. At 3 o’clock, the power reserve is indicated in German, a reminder of the manufacturer’s origins.
Much attention is given to A. Lange & Söhne’s more technically-complicated watches, like the Datograph or Zeitwerk, but looking at this Lange 1, it is evident that their uncomplicated approach to form and design is equally noteworthy. More frequently produced with a white dial, this blue variant of the Lange 1 remains as elusive, as it is attractive.
The aesthetics of the movement are just as impressive as the mechanics, with chamfering and interior angles superbly hand-finished. Moreover, it features an artistic flourish, a balance-cock engraved by one of Lange’s master engravers. In fact, each individual watchmaker's unique engraving style can be identified as a result. The bridges and plates are made from German silver, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, with a warm silver tone that will develop a subtle patina over time. The use of this metal, along with the hand-engraved balance cock is a signature of A. Lange & Söhne.
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 houses a manual-winding calibre L901.0, with a 72-hour power reserve. The movement is comprised of 398 components, of which 54 are jewels and five screwed gold chatons – the latter of which are a mark of Lange’s traditionally German movement. The watch has a lever escapement and the balance beats at 21,600 A/h.
Closer look
| Brand: | A. Lange & Söhne |
| Model: | Lange 1 ref. 101.027 |
| Movement: | manual-winding calibre L901.0 |
| Functions: | hours, minutes, sub-seconds, date, power reserve indicator |
| Features: | blue dial, display back |
| Case material: | white gold |
| Case diameter: | 38.5mm |
| Case thickness: |
10mm |
| Lug-to-lug: |
47mm |
| Crystal: | sapphire front & back |
| Strap: | saffiano strap from our own collection, A. Lange & Söhne white gold pin buckle |
| Lug width: | 20 x 16mm |
| Year: | c. 2000 |
| Accompanying materials: | Original box, service book, Proof of Origin certificate (dated 2021) |
Condition
This A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 101.027 is in very good overall condition. Light superficial marks are found throughout, though only on the very surface of the material, more specifically on the upper right lug. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections. The hallmarks and engravings found on both the case and buckle are crisp and well defined.
The watch was fully serviced by A. Lange & Söhne, Germany, in 2021. The brand's own servicing warranty expired 16/08/2023.
Warranty
The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
