What Exactly is an A. Lange Datograph?
A datograph is a chronograph with flyback function and a big date complication. It is far more complex than an ordinary calendar. It has inspiration from the 1800’s and combines the two words of Date and Chronograph to make Datograph. This design has the two chronograph apertures at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. This is unique since most chronos feature the dials at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.
This elegant A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Flyback timepiece comes from the Masterpiece Collection. It is a stunning timepiece packed with features. However, the look is one of absolute elegance. The black dial with pink gold case is complimented beautifully by the alligator band. Even without looking at the features, the balance and stunning qualities make this an exquisite dress watch for anyone.
One of the key features that collectors look for is the Panda style dial. Panda dials have 2 or 3 round dials that are either black on white or white on black. In this case the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Flyback has 2 silvery white dials which could look like Panda eyes peering out at you as you look at the black dial watch face.
The reason the “Panda” is so popular is because it offers both balance with tremendous readability. If the dials were only one color, it would be hard to distinguish between the various functions of the mini circular dials. This timepiece has so much going on – so many features – that the panda coloring really helps lay out in an orderly way the features on the timepiece.
A. Lange & Söhne is often added to the list of top 5 watchmakers in the world. Like Panerai, it has a rich history of watchmaking tradition, but had a significant hiatus between the “early era” and “modern era” when they did not make timepieces.
The company started with Ferdinand Adolph Lange back in the early 1800’s. Ferdinand was mentored by some of the greatest watchmakers in his time and created a school in Glashütte Germany where the home of great German watchmaking began. After his death A. Lange & Söhne continued to flourish under his sons Richard Lange and Emil Lange.
However, the great watchmaker came to an end in World War II when their factory in Germany was bombed and destroyed. The Soviet bloc took control of the Eastern section of Germany where the company had flourished for nearly 100 years at that point.
When the Berlin Wall fell, this gave the opportunity for Ferdinand Lange’s great grandson Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein to reimagine the company and in 1989 they relaunched this time-honored watchmaker.
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Flyback
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Flyback Reference: 405.031 features a 41 mm round case, and a transparent case back. It has a solid black dial with silver inner “Panda” dials. This model was introduced in 2015. The dial is crafted from solid silver and graced solid-gold appliques and hour markers. The hands are made of pink gold and blued steel. The hour and minute hands as well as the hour markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock are luminous.
It is powered by an L951.6 caliber with a power reserve system of 60 hours. It has a power reserve indicator at the 6 o’clock position. At 12 o’clock it has an Outsize Date aperture which is modeled on the clock in the Dresden’s Semper Opera House. The timepiece does not have a bezel and has its tachy scale on the outer edge of the dial.
However, because of the beautiful layout and large dials and date windows, the tachy scale does not overpower the dial. The watch is extremely legible in both daytime and night time. The timepiece goes for around 80,000 in after market venues, but doesn’t list the new price on the website.
There is also a platinum case option with an open-worked back showing its beautiful craftsmanship. This is a reference Reference: 405.035, which also shows a black dial but has a black leather strap instead of brown.
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