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A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down: The luxury chronograph celebrates its 25th anniversary with a royal blue edition

German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne celebrates the 25th anniversary of its iconic Datograph Up/Down with a new version in white gold and blue dial. This masterpiece of haute horlogerie, originally launched in 1999, continues to fascinate enthusiasts around the world with its technical sophistication and refined design. Discover how this horological icon revolutionized the world of luxury chronographs and why it remains a must-have in 2024.

A. Lange & Söhne's legacy of excellence

Thirty years ago, A. Lange & Söhne rose from the ashes in Glashütte, Germany. The brand presented four exceptional watches, each equipped with a manufacture movement:

  • The Lange 1
  • The Arkade
  • Saxonia
  • The Whirlwind for Merit
  • Five years later, in 1999, the German watchmaker unveiled the Datograph, a chronograph that would mark a turning point in the history of mechanical watchmaking.

    The Datograph: a watchmaking revolution

    The Datograph gave new impetus to precision watchmaking, being one of the first chronograph movements developed from scratch since the quartz crisis. Its innovative features included:

  • A classic column wheel mechanism
  • A precise jumping minute counter
  • A flyback function
  • A big date, a first on a mechanical chronograph
  • These technical innovations, combined with the exceptional finish typical of A. Lange & Söhne, quickly made the Datograph a benchmark in the world of fine watchmaking.

    The evolution towards the Datograph Up/Down

    In 2012, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the Datograph Up/Down, an improved version of the original model. Key changes included:

  • Adding a power reserve indicator
  • An extended power reserve of 60 hours
  • These improvements have enhanced the Datograph's appeal to collectors and fine watch enthusiasts.

    The new 25th anniversary edition: a royal blue design

    To celebrate the quarter century of the Datograph Up/Down, A. Lange & Söhne presents a new version at Watches and Wonders 2024. The features of this anniversary edition are:

  • A white gold case measuring 41 mm in diameter and 13.1 mm thick
  • A deep blue dial
  • Rhodium-plated auxiliary counters contrasting with the blue background
  • Luminescent hands and indexes
  • A tachymeter scale on the flange
  • This new combination joins the existing platinum/black and rose gold/black versions, offering more choice to lovers of fine watchmaking.

    A harmonious and symbolic layout

    The design of the Datograph Up/Down is the result of precise geometric calculations:

  • The large date at 12 o'clock marks the apex of an equilateral triangle
  • The auxiliary counters at 9 o'clock (small seconds) and 3 o'clock (minute counter) form the base of the triangle
  • This balanced layout contributes to the Datograph's unique and recognizable aesthetic.

    The L951.6 caliber: a masterpiece of watchmaking mechanics

    At the heart of the Datograph Up/Down beats the L951.6 caliber, a hand-wound movement that embodies the technical excellence of A. Lange & Söhne:

  • 451 components
  • Assembled and finished by hand twice
  • Bridges in untreated nickel silver
  • Hand engraved balance cock
  • Four screwed gold chatons
  • The column-wheel chronograph mechanism, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, offers measurement accuracy to a fifth of a second.

    A technical challenge brilliantly met

    Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, underlines the importance of the Datograph in the history of the brand:

    “The design and manufacture of high-end chronographs remains one of the greatest challenges in precision watchmaking. Twenty-five years ago, our engineers created a masterpiece with the Datograph, combining sophisticated functions with a balanced dial configuration. This unique combination of technical prowess and expressive design has made the Datograph an emblem of our philosophy of continuous innovation.”

    The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down remains, 25 years after its initial launch, an essential reference in the world of luxury chronographs. Its new edition in white gold and blue dial is a testament to the brand’s ability to reinvent its classics while remaining true to its heritage of excellence. For collectors and lovers of fine watchmaking, this piece represents an investment in a technical and aesthetic masterpiece destined to transcend the ages.

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