A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Platinum 1st generation - 206.025 - Full set

Platinum | Silver 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 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 model references in an equal manner to its heritage, hinting to the extraordinary pocket watches made by F.A. Lange and his sons, making ‘the 1815’ the signature collection according to Lange connoisseurs. The early, first-generation models are today highly sought after.

The Watch

This rare first-generation A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 reference 206.025 with a platinum case is one of the first classics produced in the nineties (as indicated by the low serial and movement number). Instilling artisanal perfection, this 35,9 mm watch (7,5 mm in thickness) combines technical complications and a clean modern aesthetic, hinting to its heritage beyond its measurements (today’s third generation measures 38,5 mm as opposed to the second generation’s 40 mm).

The platinum case has a three-step construction, rounded bezel, case band and back with intersperse finishing, accentuating its characteristic structure: simple yet defining. While the case top is polished, the band is delightfully brushed, offering a staggering contrast with its mirror polished and notched lugs.

This is only further enhanced by the black oxidized silver dial with sterling silvered small seconds sub-dial at 6 (each offering a unique railway-track scale, of which is said that the 5-minute marker dots are inspired by Saxony porcelains’ floral designs), blued alpha-style hour and minute hands and counter weighted needle style second hand, creating a harmonious design and displaying perfect legibility. The dial is by the same token embellished with thick printed black Arabic numeral hour markers – a hallmark for the Lange 1815-series.

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 platinum A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle and signed movement.

These days, the third generation 1815-model is only available in white or pink gold.

The Movement

The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 206.025 houses the mechanical L941.1 manual movement, celebrated 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.

This hand-wound movement (developed, produced and assembled in-house) with flame-blued screws, gold chatons and red rubies adorning the warm German silver signature three-quarter plate, features a hacking seconds mechanism, an exquisitely hand-engraving on the balance cock, screwed balance wheel and escape wheel cap, beautifully seen through the sapphire open case-back – as are the Glashütte stripes, the artisanal bevels and black polish finish.

Condition

This discontinued and rare platinum A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1815 first generation 206.025 timepiece is in good condition with light hints of use and has perfect mechanical functioning. It is one of the first models ever produced as Lange started their serial numbers in 1994 with 1 1 0 0 0 0 and the 1815-timepiece at hand signs off with 1 1 2 X X X.

It comes as a full set, including box and papers and original purchase bill from the first owner, signed by the then famous München-based ‘Hofuhrenlieferant’ (purveyor to the Royal Court) Andreas Huber (sold to Bucherer).

The original sale date on the bill reflects January 1997, although the warranty papers are signed with 1996 (suggesting the sales person miswrote the year as the sale took place in early January). Sales person ‘Ashley’ could well be the son who runs "Ashley’s" today.

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

Reference	206.025
Movement	Manual Wound
Caliber	Calibre  L941.1
Dial	Silver
Size (Case)	35,9 mm
Material (Case)	Platinum
Bracelet	Taupe
Glass	Sapphire
Condition	Very good
Year	1996
Papers	Yes
Box	Yes
Warranty	2 years