For 25 years, the Datograph has been A. Lange & Sohne's flagship chronograph, a testament to the brand's relentless pursuit of mechanical perfection and aesthetic refinement. With the introduction of the Datograph Handwerkskunst, Lange elevates this iconic timepiece to new heights, showcasing a breathtaking fusion of technical prowess and artisanal virtuosity.
To fully appreciate the significance of the Datograph Handwerkskunst, one must first delve into the rich tapestry of A. Lange & Söhne's history. Founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in the Saxon town of Glashütte, the company quickly established itself as a purveyor of exceptional pocket watches, renowned for their precision and intricate craftsmanship. However, the ravages of World War II and subsequent nationalization under East Germany's communist regime brought the brand to a standstill.
Courtesy of A. Lange & Sohne
It wasn't until 1990, following Germany's reunification, that Walter Lange, Ferdinand Adolph Lange's great-grandson, revived the family legacy. With unwavering determination and an unyielding commitment to upholding the brand's heritage,
A. Lange & Söhne embarked on a remarkable journey of rebirth. In 1994, they unveiled their first collection of wristwatches, signaling a triumphant return to the world stage.
Among the timepieces that graced that inaugural collection was the groundbreaking Datograph. A chronograph of unparalleled complexity and sophistication, it immediately captured the hearts and minds of watch enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. The Datograph's allure lay not only in its technical brilliance but also in its harmonious design, a perfect marriage of form and function.
At the heart of the Datograph beats the manually wound caliber L951.1, a masterpiece of micro-engineering comprising over 300 meticulously crafted components. Its column-wheel architecture, a hallmark of high-end chronographs, ensures precise control and seamless operation of the chronograph functions. The flyback mechanism allows for instantaneous resetting and restarting of the chronograph with a single push, a feature prized by racing enthusiasts and pilots.
But the Datograph's appeal extends far beyond its mechanical intricacies. Its dial, a study in legibility and balance, features two recessed subdials for the chronograph's 30-minute and 12-hour counters, along with A. Lange & Söhne's signature outsize date display. The tachymeter scale, encircling the dial's periphery, adds a touch of sporty elegance, hinting at the chronograph's practical applications.
In 2011, A. Lange & Söhne introduced the "Handwerkskunst" designation, reserved for a select few limited-edition timepieces that showcase the pinnacle of the brand's decorative arts. These watches are a testament to the extraordinary skill and dedication of Lange's artisans, who pour countless hours into embellishing every surface with intricate engravings, enameling, and other artisanal techniques.
Courtesy of A. Lange & Sohne
The Datograph Handwerkskunst, unveiled to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Datograph, is a resplendent embodiment of this tradition. Housed in a 41mm yellow gold case, it exudes a warmth and radiance that perfectly complements the intricate details adorning its dial and movement.
The dial itself is a masterpiece of artisanal virtuosity. Crafted from solid gold and finished in a shimmering grey hue, it serves as the canvas for a mesmerizing tapestry of decorative elements. The black-rhodiumed main dial and the rhodiumed, light-grey totalizers are embellished with an ornate tremblage engraving, a technique that creates a three-dimensional texture with subtle light reflections. This intricate pattern, executed entirely by hand, requires exceptional skill and patience, as the engraver must navigate the dial's complex topography, carefully avoiding its various functional elements.
The applied Roman numerals and hour markers, also crafted from solid gold, are meticulously chamfered and adorned with straight graining, a technique that involves creating parallel lines on the metal's surface using a specialized tool. Even the hands, crafted from blued steel, are painstakingly finished with circumferential chamfers and straight graining, a testament to Lange's unwavering commitment to perfection.
While the Datograph Handwerkskunst's dial is a feast for the eyes, its true beauty lies within. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the manually wound caliber L951.8 is a symphony of mechanical artistry. Every component, from the bridges and levers to the screws and wheels, is meticulously finished by hand, showcasing a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in modern watchmaking.
One of the most striking features of the movement is the black polishing of the chronograph levers. This labor-intensive technique, reserved for only the most exceptional timepieces, creates a mirror-like surface that absorbs light, rendering the levers virtually invisible from certain angles. The contrast between the polished levers and the granular surface of the German silver bridges, inspired by historic pocket watches, adds a further layer of visual depth and complexity to the movement.
Courtesy of A. Lange & Sohne
But perhaps the most captivating element of all is the hand-engraved balance cock. This tiny component, responsible for securing the balance wheel, is adorned with a delicate vine motif, relief-engraved with extraordinary precision. Floral motifs have a long and storied history at A. Lange & Söhne, dating back to the company's earliest pocket watches. Their presence on the Datograph Handwerkskunst serves as a poignant reminder of the brand's enduring legacy and its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of artisanal craftsmanship.
At its core, the Datograph Handwerkskunst remains a chronograph, a precision instrument designed to measure elapsed time. However, Lange's watchmakers have imbued this timepiece with a range of additional complications that elevate it far beyond the realm of mere functionality.
The most prominent of these is the outsize date display, a hallmark of A. Lange & Söhne watches. Positioned at 12 o'clock, this large, double-digit date display offers exceptional legibility, even at a quick glance. The mechanism behind this complication is remarkably complex, requiring two separate date discs to display the tens and units digits. Lange's engineers have ensured that the date changeover is instantaneous, occurring precisely at midnight with a satisfying click.
Complementing the outsize date is the chronograph function, controlled by two pushers on the right side of the case. The central chronograph seconds hand, along with the 30-minute and 12-hour counters at 3 and 9 o'clock respectively, allow for precise measurement of elapsed time intervals. The flyback function, activated by the pusher at 4 o'clock, enables the user to reset and restart the chronograph with a single press, a feature that proves invaluable in timing consecutive events.
Finally, the tachymeter scale, engraved on the dial's periphery, allows for the calculation of speed based on a measured distance. This feature, a nod to the chronograph's historical association with motorsports, adds a touch of practicality to the watch's otherwise elegant design.
Courtesy of A. Lange & Sohne
While the Datograph Handwerkskunst's complications are undeniably impressive, it is the exceptional level of hand-finishing that truly sets this timepiece apart. Every surface, every edge, every screw is meticulously polished, chamfered, and decorated by Lange's skilled artisans.
The movement's bridges, crafted from untreated German silver, are adorned with a granular finish that creates a subtle, shimmering effect. The edges of the bridges are painstakingly beveled and polished, creating a sharp contrast with the matte finish of the main surfaces. Even the screws, heat-blued to a vibrant hue, are mirror-polished to perfection.
The chronograph levers, as mentioned earlier, are subject to an even more demanding finishing technique: black polishing. This process, which involves carefully polishing the levers with a special compound until they absorb virtually all light, results in a deep, velvety black surface that appears almost invisible from certain angles. The contrast between the black polished levers and the gleaming steel components of the movement is nothing short of mesmerizing.
The Datograph Handwerkskunst's case, measuring 41mm in diameter and 13.1mm in thickness, is crafted from 18-carat yellow gold. Its proportions are carefully calibrated to ensure both comfort on the wrist and optimal legibility of the dial. The bezel, polished to a mirror finish, frames the dial with understated elegance, while the fluted crown and pushers offer a tactile delight.
The sapphire crystal caseback, secured by six screws, provides an unobstructed view of the movement's intricate workings. The caseback's periphery is engraved with the watch's limited edition number, a reminder of its exclusivity and rarity.
Courtesy of A. Lange & Sohne
Completing the Datograph Handwerkskunst's ensemble is a hand-stitched alligator leather strap in a rich dark brown hue. The strap's supple texture and subtle sheen perfectly complement the warmth of the yellow gold case. The strap is secured by a deployant buckle, also crafted from 18-carat yellow gold, which ensures a secure and comfortable fit on the wrist.
As a testament to its exclusivity and the extraordinary level of craftsmanship involved in its creation, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Handwerkskunst is limited to a production of just 25 pieces worldwide. It is available exclusively through A. Lange & Söhne boutiques, with pricing available upon request. While the price tag is undoubtedly substantial, it reflects the immense value of this horological masterpiece.