A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase Gold Flux dial - 182.086

Origin

The story of A. Lange & Söhne is a well-documented tale, with one-quarter of the inaugural releases standing as the watchmaker's totemic innovation. From the word go, the Lange 1 garnered favourable attention from connoisseurs and industry figures. This was not only due to its unorthodox dial that abides by the mathematics of the golden ratio or its Dresden Semper Opera House-inspired double date aperture, but crucially its meticulous construction and build quality. Nevertheless, despite the Lange name being present in horology since 1845, the Lange 1 was born during A. Lange & Söhne's very first foray into watchmaking in the modern era. Walter Lange, alongside the driving force behind the resurgence of Jaeger-LeCoultre & IWC, Günter Blümlein, revived the name in the mid-1990s with colossal success. With its 38.5mm size wonderfully sitting on a broad spectrum of wrist proportions, the Lange 1 became the watchmaker's prized possession, with a slightly smaller model, the Little Lange 1 (or 'Kleine'), following suit.

Carrying a 36mm case size, it is believed that the Little Lange 1 came to fruition due to various requests from Japanese watch collectors seeking a more conservatively sized expression of the whimsical Lange 1. Introduced in 1998, the Little Lange 1 was originally a seldom-seen collection, only offered through Lange boutiques until 2006 and was conceived as a men's watch. However, it later returned to the range with an aesthetic heavily directed towards the female market. 

The Watch

Debuting in 2021, the Little Lange 1 Ref. 182.086 was the first time the German watchmaker fitted the Lange 1 with their 'gold flux' dial. Produced from aventurine glass which contains a unique detailing echoing the appearance of a starry night sky, both visually and mechanically, this special Lange 1 encompasses the mystical wonder of celestial curiosity. Measuring 36.8mm in width, the unisex appeal of the Little Lange 1 remains, as its signature notched lugs command this mid-sized timepiece's exterior. Balance is a re-occurring theme, and its exhibited throughout its skillfully constructed and finished 18k white gold case. Its central caseband is polished rather than the more typical brushing, a finish matched for its lugs and bezel.

However, its aventurine glass dial accomplishes this reference's whimsicality and charming allure. A technique developed on the island of Murano in Venice, Italy, 'Avventurina' (Aventurine in English) is perhaps the most popular glassmaking process of Murano-originated methods. Documentation covering its production dates from the 17th century and mentions how adding various metal oxides, such as copper and iron, to a hot glass mixture causes tiny particles of metals to crystallise as the glass mixture cools off. The result is a sparkling effect, regarded as one of Murano's most ambitious, long, and delicate glassmaking techniques. When needed to be produced on a small precise scale for the silver-based dial of this Lange, the process is tedious and requires real artisanal skill. With the 182.086, the addition of five-pointed stars for the hour markers of the hours and minute dial housed on the left leans into the starry-esque appearance of the dial base. As alluded to earlier, this Little Lange pushes the otherworldly charm to more significant levels with the inclusion of the moonphase complication occupying the top third of the subsidiary seconds. The unmistakable geometric orientation of this piece is a defining characteristic, and yet, despite the elaborate adornment, the date display remains commanding and legendary. Stylistically taking inspiration from the Five-Minute Clock at Semper Opera House in Dresden, on the Lange 1, the date aperture is confidently positioned and framed where the traditional one o'clock hour marker would sit. Furthermore, on the right-hand side of the dial is its neat vertical power reserve indicator labelled 'AUF' to 'AB', completing the quadrant of white gold hands throughout this piece. 

The Movement

Powering this Little Lange 1 Ref. 182.086 is the in-house calibre L121.2 movement. This hand-wound movement boasts 72 hours of running autonomy, beating at 21,600 vph, carrying all the finishing hallmarks of a Lange movement. Characterised by its ¾ German silver plate, gold chatons, cornflower-blue steel screws, 44 jewels, and a highly decorated, hand-engraved balance cock with a swan neck regulator. Its lustrous finish is the only appropriate match for its technical prowess.

How It Wears

Excluding its external construction, it's tough to compare this to a conventional reference from the Lange range, as it represents a complicated break from the status quo. The unique depth of this gold flux dial combined with the moon phase complication elevates the typically unassuming Lange 1 to new heights on the wrist, with the daring, sparkling properties remaining unmissable. Easily suited to smaller wrists and larger alike, this Lange 1 proudly amplifies the typically hidden complexities of the model series with utter distinction. A noteworthy trait of this Little Lange 1 is that the calibre is the same size as the full-sized moon phase counterparts meaning the dial's smaller size makes the furniture and detailing feel more tightly packed on the wrist.

Condition

This 2022 A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Ref. 182.086 Moon Phase is in excellent condition and complete as a full set. This includes its box, papers, original dark blue leather strap featuring sparkling pigments to echo the dial and solid white-gold buckle. Additionally, this watch is sold with a Mr Watchley Grained Cream strap.

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

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* Every watch is delivered in a Mr WATCHLEY Membrane Protection Box for a safe transportation in addition to its original set *