A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Platinum - Black dial - 107.035

A. LANGE & SOHNE CABARET 107.035
Platinum | Black dial

Origin

Despite the name A. Lange & Söhne being around since the 1800s, the brand really came into its own during the 1990s when it was re-established by Walter Lange. With the great-grandson of the original founder at the helm, A. Lange & Söhne relaunched in the mid-1990s with four brand new models. During 1997 in Basel, Lange released a new model which was a subtle callback to their historical actions earlier in the 20th century as well as taking direct inspiration from a monumentally inspiring design style, art deco. The Cabaret is regarded as the watchmaker’s first rectangular watch as although the Arkade from 1994 closely resembles a rectangle, it is slightly more rounded. With its prominent defining features including a stepped bezel design, slightly flared lugs, matched with a dial design surprisingly dissimilar to the language the brand outlined in ‘94, the Cabaret served as an indication that A. Lange & Söhne wasn’t afraid to be bold. This fresh aesthetic was a tastefully executed tribute to the art deco era without trying to imitate certain popular rectangular watches from that time.

In 1997 the Cabaret was launched with the reference 107.031 which was encased in 18k pink gold matched with a black dial and complete with a white sub-register and white big date aperture. Since then the range continued to grow with models seen encased in white gold, platinum, and yellow gold. The dials these models featured also were different from more traditional executions such as blue, silver and champagne to more extravagant examples seen with mother of pearl dials. From its enticing and remarkably detailed case construction to its enchanting dial with large double date, the Cabaret is full of intrigue and sophisticated character. The range ran until around 2010 where, despite some special editions being produced as well as more complicated examples, it was slowly phased out. The Cabaret represents an important moment in the re-launch of the German watchmaker 

The Watch

Encased completely in platinum, the A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret 107.035 blends a traditionally inspired ethos with undeniable German precision and modern technology provided by A. Lange & Söhne. Indeed it all begins with the case of the 107.035 as although Lange typically feature rather understated cases, the construction of the Cabaret is all but subtle. Measuring 26mm wide by 36mm in length, the platinum externals of this reference are beautifully balanced with proportions that strike that desirable equilibrium between remaining conservative yet feeling suitably substantial. It's not just the measurements that please though as the rather pronounced step to the case combined with its chunky flared lugs hit home the art deco inspiration of this rectangular beauty. A. Lange & Söhne was really onto something with this case design as it manages to feel completely contemporary and yet equally eternal; as if it's been a staple of the watch world for decades.  

This is an emotion that translates effectively when attention shifts to the dial of this 107.035. Conceiving something that is simplistic, original, and above all else attractive is a lot harder than it looks when it comes to horological design. Being able to avoid emulating watches that pre-date a new design is an art within itself and fortunately for the Cabaret, it's a skill that A. Lange & Söhne possess. Significantly every piece of dial furniture of the Cabaret is a defining aspect of the complete watch, contributing greatly to the character of the model. Surrounding the rectangular dial of this piece is two thin white lines following the entire shape of the dial creating concentric rectangles which frame the watch effortlessly. Housed between the two lines are the raised hour markers. Complete in white gold and featuring Roman numerals for the twelve, three, six, and nine as well as angular diamond shapes for the remaining hours, both sets of markers truly give the watch an almost gothic-like appearance. To emphasise the Saxonian heart of A. Lange & Söhne, a large double date aperture commands the top half of the Cabaret dial which is also surrounded by a white gold border; a beautiful contrast to the harsh and heavy properties of its platinum externals. Towards the bottom of the dial, a sub-register keeps track of the passing seconds with a concentric circle guilloché as its canvas. The hands featured on this piece are yet again finished in white gold and are complete in the brand favourite alpha style for the hours and minutes. The second-hand features a large counterbalance with a diamond-shaped point. 

The dial isn’t just about its features, or how they have been executed, but also how they have been consciously positioned. The sense of logic, balance, and togetherness provided by the Cabaret’s dial is an art in itself.

The Movement

Although the Cabaret may not be quintessential A. Lange & Söhne as we know it today, the movement is nothing but definitive Lange. Powering the 107.035 is the calibre L931. Believed to have been in the works since 1993, the L931 carries all of the hallmarks of a A. Lange & Söhne movement including the highly decorated hand-engraved balance cock, blue screws, curved anglage, and ¾ bridge complete in German silver. Capable of 42 hours of autonomy, this Lange calibre is visible through the sapphire crystal display caseback of the 107.035.

How It Wears

For those who may not be familiar with how rectangular watches wear on the wrist, the length (or lug to lug measurement) of the watch is arguably more important than the width of the case. As alluded to earlier, the Cabaret is beautifully poised proportionally suiting a wide array of wrist sizes. Commonly, contemporary rectangular watches measure either the low thirty millimetres in length or forty millimetres plus. With a length of 36mm, the Cabaret splits the difference exquisitely allowing the case externals such as the stepped design to contribute hugely to wrist presence.

The outstanding attitude of the Cabaret translates extremely effectively in this platinum reference with the mix of confident styling and precision German watchmaking resulting in a versatile distinctive new timepiece in your collection.

Condition

The A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Darth 107.035 is offered in as new, almost unworn condition. Presented as a complete, full set, this 107.035 also includes its original A. Lange & Söhne Platinum Pin buckle as well as a Mr Watchley leather 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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