In the illustrious world of haute horlogerie, A. Lange & Söhne stands as a paragon of German craftsmanship and innovation. The brand’s relentless pursuit of precision and elegance is epitomized in the latest creation from their revered workshops – the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen. Unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2024, this timepiece is a tribute to 25 years of the Datograph legacy, merging the brand’s exclusive Honeygold® alloy with the captivating allure of the Lumen series. Limited to just 50 pieces, this watch is not merely a testament to mechanical excellence but an exploration into the boundaries of watchmaking aesthetics.
Honeygold Grandeur
The case of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen is crafted from A. Lange & Söhne’s proprietary Honeygold®, an alloy known for its warm hue and exceptional hardness. Measuring 41.5 mm in diameter and 14.6 mm in height, the case exudes a stately presence on the wrist while maintaining a refined elegance. Honeygold® is a fitting choice for such a distinguished timepiece, offering not only visual appeal but also superior resistance to wear and scratches. The polished finish plays beautifully with the light, and the sculpted lugs seamlessly integrate with the honeygold masterpiece.
The corpulent rectangular right pushers are responsible for the start/stop and flyback function of the present chronograph. The feedback is very well set and offers a nice actuating feel. The left pusher and the recessed buttons are used for the instantaneous date changes and calendar set. Of course, the traditional crown bears the A. Lange & Söhne name embossed.
The caseback, made of sapphire crystal, allows an unobstructed view of the intricately finished movement, inviting connoisseurs to marvel at the masterful craftsmanship that lies within. While water resistance is a mere 30 meters, let’s be honest, this isn’t a poolside companion; it’s a statement piece for discerning collectors.
A Luminous Revelation
The dial of this A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is a spectacle in its own right, blending traditional design elements with modern luminescent technology. Instead of a traditional dial, a sapphire crystal disc forms the base, showcasing the complex movement beneath – just as we have witnessed before on the Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen and the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down Lumen.
The semi-transparent sapphire crystal dial is coated to reveal the underlying mechanics of the watch while providing a canvas for the luminous displays that come alive in the dark. The Lange outsize date, a hallmark of the German watchmaker, is prominently displayed beneath 12 o’clock, flanked by two subsidiary dials forming an equilateral triangle — a design that ensures clarity and balance despite the watch’s complexity and another hallmark of Lange.
The dial’s architecture houses a flyback chronograph, a perpetual calendar with instantaneously switching displays, and a moon-phase indicator accurate to 122.6 years — all framed within a luminous tachymeter scale that enhances its functionality. At night, the luminous compounds applied to the hands, indices, and even the date numerals, transform the watch into a glowing masterpiece, offering legibility in even the darkest environments.
While some hardcore fans of the Datograph might point out the lack of a power reserve indicator, the sheer technical prowess on display here is undeniable. I don’t miss it…
L952.4 – A Technical Tour de Force
At the heart of this horological marvel lies the manufacture calibre L952.4, a manually wound movement comprising 684 meticulously crafted parts. This calibre represents the pinnacle of A. Lange & Söhne’s technical prowess, featuring a column-wheel chronograph, a one-minute tourbillon with a stop-seconds mechanism, and a perpetual calendar. The movement operates at a frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz), enabling precise timekeeping to one-fifth of a second. A power reserve of 50 hours ensures that the watch remains a reliable companion even when not worn daily.
The finishing of the movement is nothing short of exemplary. Visible through the sapphire caseback, the German silver plates with meticulously bevelled edges, hand-engraved balance cock, hand thermally-blued screws, and gold chatons create a visual feast for the eyes. Each component is finished to the highest standards, reflecting the brand’s dedication to perfection.
A Timepiece for the Discerning Collector with a generous wallet
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen is more than just a watch; it is a celebration of the art of watchmaking. From its innovative use of materials to the masterful execution of its complications, this timepiece is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Datograph series. Limited to 50 pieces, it is a rare blend of technical innovation, aesthetic beauty, and artisanal craftsmanship – a true collector’s piece that stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of high horology. Whether admired in the light of day or in the dark of night, the Honeygold Lumen leaves an indelible impression, embodying the very essence of A. Lange & Söhne’s pursuit of perfection.
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen isn’t for the faint of heart – or wallet. The “Lumen” treatment adds a touch of playfulness to A. Lange & Söhne‘s signature style, while the Honeygold case and intricate movement reaffirm their position at the pinnacle of haute horlogerie. So, is the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen a perfect watch? For some, the lack of a power reserve indicator and the slightly derivative nature of the movement might be sticking points. But for those seeking a statement piece that pushes boundaries and showcases the absolute best that watchmaking has to offer, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen is a luminous beacon in a sea of timepieces.
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A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen Technical Specifications
Ref. 740.055FE
Functions
- Time indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds
- Tourbillon with stop seconds
- Flyback chronograph with precisely jumping minute counter
- Tachymeter scale
- Perpetual calendar with outsize date, day of week, month, leap year
- Day/night indicator
- Moon-phase display
Movement
- Lange manufacture calibre L952.4, manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver
- Diameter: 32.6 millimetres; height: 9.0 millimetres
- No. of movement parts: 684
- No. of jewels: 57, one of which a diamond endstone
- No. of screwed gold chatons: 5
- Escapement: Lever escapement
- Oscillation system: Shock-resistant balance with eccentric poising weights; superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house, frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour
- Power reserve: 50 hours when fully wound
- Operating elements: Crown for winding the watch and setting the time; two chronograph buttons, rapid-correction button for all calendar indications, one corrector each for the moon phase, the day of week and one for month and leap year
Case
- 18-carat HONEYGOLD®
- Diameter: 41.5 millimetres; height: 14.6 millimetres
- Crystal and transparent caseback: sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Dial
- Sapphire crystal-coated
- Hands: Hour and minute hands in 18-carat HONEYGOLD®, luminous
- Day-of-the-week and month hands: 18-carat HONEYGOLD®
- Minute counter and subsidiary seconds hands: 18-carat gold, black-rhodiumed
- Chrono seconds hand: steel, luminous
Strap
- Hand-stitched alligator leather, dark-brown
- Buckle: deployant buckle in 18-carat HONEYGOLD® and 18-carat white gold
About A. Lange & Söhne
Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the foundations for Saxony’s precision watchmaking industry when he established his manufacture in 1845. His precious pocket watches remain highly coveted among collectors all over the world. The company was expropriated after the Second World War, and the name A. Lange & Söhne nearly vanished. But in 1990, Walter Lange, Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s great-grandson, had the courage to relaunch the brand. Today, Lange crafts only a few thousand wristwatches per year, predominantly in gold or platinum. They are equipped exclusively with movements made in-house that are elaborately finished and twice assembled by hand. With 72 manufacture calibres developed since 1990, A. Lange & Söhne has secured a top-tier position in the world of watchmaking. Its greatest successes include the LANGE 1, the first regularly produced wristwatch with an outsize date, and the ZEITWERK, with its precisely jumping numerals. Exceptional complications such as the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER, the TRIPLE SPLIT, and the most complicated model to date, the GRAND COMPLICATION presented in 2013 in a limited edition of six pieces, represent what the manufacture always strives for: to drive the traditional art of watchmaking to ever-new heights. Launched in 2019, the sporty yet elegant ODYSSEUS marked the start of a new chapter for A. Lange & Söhne.