A. Lange & Söhne Homage to Emil Lange - 231.031 - Full set
Pink Gold | Black dial
Origin
Ferdinand Adolph Lange, son of a gunsmith, founded A. Lange & Söhne in 1845 in Glashütte, establishing a fine watchmaking culture in the small German village and challenging the status of its Swiss contenders ever since. Although the history of the brand has not been without endeavour: 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 the legendary watchmaker’s spirit did not pass on: a mere 40 years later – when Germany celebrated the fall of the Berlin wall – great-grandson Walter Lange re-established the brand as one of the greatest haute horlogerie names, known for the world’s finest complicated pocket watches (including Grande Sonnerie watches, tourbillons and Grande Complications).
In 1995, Walter Lange released the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815-collection in honour of the founder’s birthday almost two centuries earlier – yet it was already in the making for over a year, initially in the shadow of the famed Tourbillon Pour le Mérite.
In the virtue of the legendary founder, the collection (of which the first-generation was in production until 2007) breathes tradition infused with timeless modernity. Having a striking classical appearance, the Lange 1815 stood out by character amongst the early models of the new A. Lange & Söhne era, such as the idiosyncratic Arkade, Saxonia and the legendary Lange 1.
No other A. Lange & Söhne collection references in an equal manner to its heritage, hinting to the extraordinary pocket watches made by F.A. Lange, yet of ‘the 1815’ the Moonphase Emil Lange here at hand stands out in its patrimony. Launched in 1999, limited to 150 pieces in platinum (231.035) and 250 in pink gold (231.031), it was a direct homage to Emil Lange’s 150th birth year.
Known as the second born of the brand’s founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, Emil joined the Glashütte watchmaking company in 1871 along with his brother Richard. Together they elevated the brand to the world’s stage, hitting a 30,000-pocket watch production.
Today the first-generation A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Moonphase is a true collector’s item, idiosyncratic yet timeless, spirited by its past.
The Watch
This rare A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 Emil Lange Moonphase reference 231.031 is infused by artisanal perfection, measuring a traditional 35,9 mm (8 mm in thickness). Though the piece at hand is not the average A. Lange & Söhne timepiece, it hints to its heritage beyond its measurements while combining technical complications and a cheeky modern aesthetic.
The pink gold case has a distinctively ‘Glashütte’ three-step construction rounded bezel, with a polished case band and back and soldered thin lugs: simple yet defining. But is the Emil Lange Moonphase dial making this 1815-model catching attention, with details unseen in any other A. Lange & Söhne watch.
The dial, crafted from solid silver, counterparts the collection with its railway minute track, three subtle dots on each 15-minute markers and classic alpha-style hour and minute hands. But its vintage aesthetic meets quirky craft with astrological details, such as the seven gold appliques projecting the Big Dipper of the Ursa Major constellation with the encircling round appliques serving as the other asteroids.
The 3, 6 and 9 are metaphorically presented as stars. The lowered small seconds sub-dial between 3 and 4, offering a unique railway-track scale and counter weighted needle style second hand, create a harmonious design with the ravishing solid-gold moonphase disc. The lowered sub-dials may be recognized in the 1815 Up/Down model of 1997.
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 pink gold Lange pin buckle and signed movement.
Unequivocally matching the brand’s DNA, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 Emil Lange Moonphase is one of its most distinctive inventions.
The Movement
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 Moonphase 231.031 houses the mechanical L943.1 manual movement – based on the L941.1 caliber from the 1815 Time Only collection – eminent for its outstanding functionality and avant-garde precision, beating at a traditional frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (3Hz), providing a 45-hour power reserve.
The hand-wound movement has a 1,058-year accurate moonphase indication. It is developed, produced and assembled in-house with flame-blued screws, gold chatons and red rubies adorning the warm German silver signature three-quarter plate, featuring an exquisitely hand-engraving on the balance cock – matched in contrasting beauty by the Glashütte stripes and the artisanal chamfers.
Condition
This discontinued and rare pink gold A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Moonphase, homage to Emil Lange, 231.031 timepiece is in unworn condition and has perfect mechanical functioning. It comes as a full set, being a limited edition of 250 pieces. The case back is individually numbered from 1 - 250 and the serial numbers are numbered between 124001–124250).
The watch was fully serviced by Lange & Söhne in 2020 and comes with complementing Lange service papers.
If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment.
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| Reference | 231.031 |
|---|---|
| Movement | Manual Wound |
| Caliber |
Calibre L943.1
|
| Dial | Black |
| Size (Case) | 35,9 mm |
| Material (Case) | Pink gold |
| Bracelet | Black |
| Glass | Sapphire |
| Condition | Very good |
| Year | 1999 |
| Papers | Yes |
| Box | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years |