A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 - Blue dial - 101.027 - Full set

 A. LANGE & SOHNE LANGE 1 – 101.027
White Gold | Blue dial

Origin

It is a daring task to challenge the Swiss when it comes to fine watchmaking and mechanical perfection, but if there’s one brand able to take on the contest it is the German watchmaker that turned Glashütte into a fine watchmaking destination, A. Lange & Söhne. Founded by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in 1845, the brand combines Saxon precision with aesthetic impeccability, resulting in hand-crafted timepieces of the highest standards.

The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 embodies this legendary and bold spirit, introduced not long after great-grandson Walter Lange revived the avant-garde family brand from Glashütte together with his friend Günter Blümlein.

Years earlier, the company’s main manufacture was destroyed during a bombing on the last night of war in 1945. A few years later, in 1948, the brand disappeared during the occupation by the Soviet Union. But Walter Lange proved the legendary watchmaker’s spirit did not pass on and the platinum Lange 1, first introduced in 1994, became the epitome of its renaissance with its modest yet idiosyncratic and recognizable design, giving it an instant cult status among collectors.

From the rebirth of A. Lange & Söhne one watch in particular stands out: the Lange 1 model, a true modern design icon carrying the brand’s distinctive outside date. This highly valued model has been a collector’s item ever since, winning over forty awards.

The first generation 38,5 mm timepiece here at hand, manufactured between 1997 and 2002, is highly sought after by collectors because of its stunning blue dial.

The Watch

This A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 101.027 watch was created around the turn of the century, before blue dials became en vogue in the horology world. Even today blue dials are very rare for A. Lange & Söhne – lacking nearly completely in their collection.

Today, the contemporary Blue series forms the exception: four timepieces crafted with a blue dial (the Lange 1, the Lange 1 Daymatic, the Saxonia and the Saxonia Automatic), launched in 2017 unequivocally inspired by the original piece here at hand. Its distinctive satin-brushed blue dial is handcrafted from solid silver and embellished with solid gold appliques and hour markers with faceted hands made of white gold.

Characterized by its unique decentralized and asymmetrical dial design in a classic 18k white gold 38,5mm case, it features a hours and minutes sub-dial with appliqué Roman numerals and a smaller second sub-dial at 5 o’clock. The sub-dials are somewhat recessed, offering a delicate perception of depth and are being set off in an even dark blue finish, subtly contrasting the main dial.

The oversized double window date display with quick-change feature at the top right corner of the dial, reflects a panorama date and hints to the brand’s heritage as inspired from the Five-Minute Clock (1841) at Dresden’s Semper Opera House. 

The refined hand-finishing of the German watchmaker is reflected in the branded crown, signed case and dial – the eminent arc brand signature referring to its cradle underneath: Glashütte i/SA (‘in Saxony’) – and white gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle.

The Movement

The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1, Ref. 101.027 houses the L901.0 double spring caliber historically based on the gear train from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s caliber 822. This hand-wound movement consists of 398 components, including 54 jewels and 5 signature-style screwed gold chatons, with a 72-hour power reserve, a lever escapement, beating at 21,600 A/h.

The extraordinary myriad of hand-finishing on the watch can be observed through the open sapphire caseback, with outstanding chamfering, interior angles and an engraved balance cock from the hand of one of Lange’s master engravers. Plates and bridges characteristically are made of German silver, giving the movement a warm silver tone. 

Condition

This discontinued and rare A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1, Ref. 101.027 timepiece with serial number 1 1 X X X X (serial numbers started at 11000 in 1994) is in outstanding condition and has perfect mechanical functioning. It comes as a full collectors set, including original box, papers, manual and service papers from the brand itself.

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

Reference	101.027
Movement	Manual Wound
Caliber	Calibre  L901.0
Dial	Blue
Size (Case)	38,5 mm
Material (Case)	White gold
Bracelet	Grained grey
Glass	Sapphire
Condition	mint
Year	2001
Papers	Yes
Box	Yes
Warranty	2 years