German watchmaker, A. Lange & Söhne unveiled four new 30th Anniversary Lange 1 models this week.

Dating back to the early 1990s, and the resurrection of A. Lange & Söhne, the  Lange 1 is the high-end German watchmaker’s most iconic model. Available in a 38.5 mm (Lange 1) or 36.8 mm (Little Lange 1) case, both sizes are available in 18K pink gold with a blue dial or 950 platinum with an onyx dial, resulting in a total of four limited edition references (300 pieces each for the full-size models and 150 pieces each for the small models).

All four Lange 1 30th Anniversary limited editions are powered by in-house caliber L121.1, which features a three-quarter German silver bridge that’s been decorated with Glashutte ribbing (comparable Geneva stripes), blued screws, polished gold chaton jewel sinks, anglage, and balance bridge that’s been hand engraved.

Running at 3Hz, a manually wound twin mainspring barrel delivers steady torque for up to 72 hours to the hour and minute hands in the off-center display on the left of the dial, to the small second hands (with stop second function), the patented outsized date with push-button (on left case flank) instant correction, and to the vertical power reserve indicator on the right side of the dial.

Unlike many companies that claim they make everything in-house, Lange actually does, including the balance spring, which Professional Watches saw firsthand during a tour.

While the design is polarizing, and the resale of the Lange 1 tends to be well under the retail asking price — despite Lange making every attempt to make its timepieces appear unobtainable — you cannot deny the Lange 1 is a classic from arguably the best German watchmaker.

Learn more at Lange.

 

Photos by Lange.