As if Lange did not already offer enough split-seconds chronograph variations — not happy resting on its laurels — they’ve introduced yet another.
The 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold is the latest high-tech chronograph with old school craftsmanship and finishing from one of the world’s foremost chronograph makers, Glashütte-based A. Lange & Söhne. Whether it’s the 1815 Flyback, the Datograph Flyback, the Double Split Flyback, or the Triple-Split — Lange produces some of the most immaculately finished chronographs on the planet.
Presented in a 41.2 mm diameter 18K honey-colored gold case with a black dial in solid silver with gilt markings and gold-plated hands — the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold is the company’s sixth split-seconds chronograph and its first watch to offer the combination of a chronograph and rattrapante. This new split-seconds chronograph does not offer a flyback function and is a single split, not a double or triple — but less is sometimes more and it’s to use and read than the more complicated models.
A rattrapante (split-seconds chronograph) features two chronograph seconds hands which make it possible to time one event and then to time a second event (or laps) simultaneously without stopping the timing of the first event.
The chronograph seconds hand (the lower hand within the stack) is made of pink-gold-plated steel. Superimposed above it is the split-seconds chronograph hand, made of rhodium-plated steel. Both hands start together when the pusher at two o’clock is actuated. The rattrapante sweep-seconds hand can be stopped independently of the chronograph sweep-seconds hand and then resynchronized with it, using the extra pusher at 10 o’clock (not found on standard chronographs). If actuated during an ongoing measurement, the rattrapante sweep-seconds hand stops and displays the lap time while the chronograph sweep-seconds hand keeps running. A second actuation of the pusher causes the rattrapante sweep-seconds hand to catch up and then synchronize with the chronograph sweep seconds hand. This lap-time measurement procedure can be repeated as many times as needed.
To bring the new rattrapante chronograph to fruition watchmakers at Lange created the new manually wound in-house caliber L101.2. As with the company’s abovementioned split-second offerings, this too requires two column-wheels. And like with the rattrapante clamp that blocks the rattrapante hand in the lap-time display mode, it’s all visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
Consisting of 365 total components, 4 gold chatons, and 36 jewels, when fully wound this 3Hz movement can run for up to 58-hours and is regulated by a screwed balance system and lever escapement.
From screwed gold chatons to the hand-engraved balance cock to the chamfered and polished components and the intricately decorated levers, springs, jumpers — every surface is finished to perfection.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold “Homage to F. A. Lange” is limited to 100 pieces. (Ref. 425.050) Retail is $134,100.
