A. Lange & Söhne 1815 UP/DOWN 221.025 - Platinum - Full set

The Watch

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down reference 221.025 represents one of the foundational expressions of the modern Lange revival, and remains a quietly significant reference in the manufacturer’s post-1994 lineage. Introduced in the late 1990s and presented here in platinum, it pays tribute to one of the brand’s earliest technical additions, a power reserve indicator. Initially designed for pocket watches, was intended to signal whether the movement was wound or depleted, and it laid the groundwork for this watch’s defining asymmetry.

Measured at 35.9mm across and just under 8mm thick, the platinum case is perfectly proportioned for dress wear while retaining Lange’s signature sense of weight and substance. Its three-part architecture is nuanced, with a polished bezel and caseback framing a satin-brushed midsection, a contrast that continues onto the sharply executed, notched lugs. There’s a quiet richness to the way these surfaces interact with light, making this reference feel purposeful without pretence. The exterior contains definite Lange hallmarks. It's a sight dominated by skilful construction, creating a charming yet simplistic presence.

With the dial, Lange's disciplined approach is entirely on display. The silver surface creates a subtle depth, encircled by a crisp railway minute track and punctuated by the distinctive tri-dot markers at each quarter hour, a nod to Saxon porcelain motifs of the region. Framing the dial are bold Arabic numerals printed in rich black, a core design element of the 1815 family, offering exceptional legibility without compromise. Both sub-dials are recessed, contributing a gentle play of light and depth, with each carrying distinctive scales: power reserve on the left, running seconds on the right. The piece features blued alpha-style hands, which are both fine and functional. The contrast between the black numerals and the argenté backdrop is grounded in tradition yet contemporary in execution. This is where Lange excels: delivering technical information that feels understated and balanced.

The Movement

Visible through the sapphire caseback is the calibre L942.1, a hand-wound movement developed entirely in-house and beating at a stately 21,600 vph. Its three-quarter plate architecture, rendered in German silver, houses 27 jewels including gold chatons secured by flame-blued screws, and is finished to Lange’s exacting standards. Glashütte ribbing, chamfered edges, and a finely hand-engraved balance cock bring warmth and life to the movement, while a hacking seconds mechanism adds practical precision. The watch offers 45 hours of autonomy. 

How It Wears

A. Lange & Söhne watches feel almost unexplainable once fitted to the wrist, and although this 221.025 hides its significance with its platinum case, that is indeed its greatest asset. The prominent lug design continues to be noteworthy once fitted to the wrist, ensuring its case width on paper translates to a conspicuous wearer. The addition of a power reserve indicator on a watch can often feel like an afterthought. A fantastically practical addition, but one that normally disrupts the flow of a dial; not with this 1815. 

Condition

This A. Lange & Söhne 1815 UP/DOWN 221.025 is offered as a full set dating from 2007 and remains in excellent condition with normal signs of wear. The piece is fitted to a Mr Watchley Anthracite Grained leather watch strap.

Origin 

The often tricky second album. With triumphs like the Lange 1 and Saxonia debuting at A. Lange & Söhne's re-launch twelve months prior, a worthy follow-up that could maintain momentum with conviction was essential. Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein knew that authenticity was necessary, and so the custodians responsible for Lange's success took it back to day one.

The year was 1815, and a certain Mr Ferdinand Adolph Lange was born in Dresden, Germany. When he reached 30, he founded a watch company called A. Lange & Cie, which later became A. Lange & Söhne. At the time, he focused on building best-in-show pocket watches, often highly complex and ornately finished pieces with defining visual characteristics: charming King Louis XIV hands, striking numerals, and black typeface. Fast forward some 147 years, and in 1995, modern-day Lange announces the 1815, a watch created with the spirit of its early pocket watches in mind, bearing the name of its founder's birth year. Since then, the 1815 has flourished within the brand's lineup, cementing itself as one of the A. Lange & Söhne cornerstone models. The series has expertly adopted a plethora of complications and design nuances while preserving the core tenets outlined in the 19th century. First released as a time-only reference before a chronograph in 2004, a tourbillon in 2014 (although it's thought the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite of 1994 was an 1815 in disguise), and an annual calendar in 2017. It's become one of the unassuming greats, pure Lange. 

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. We are based in Ghent, Belgium

No stock kept on site