Twenty-five years ago, A. Lange & Söhne launched its first timepiece after returning to precision watchmaking – the AUTOGRAPH Chronograph with Panorama Date. Today, this classic has been updated with a new model highlighting A’s superb craftsmanship and unique aesthetics. Lange & Söhne, with its exquisite details, is carefully decorated by the brand’s artisans. The DATOGRAPH Chronograph with Panorama Date “HANDWERKSKUNST” is a limited edition with rare and exquisite dial and movement decorations.
The new DATOGRAPH Chronograph with Panorama Date “HANDWERKSKUNST” is made of 18K gold and is equipped with a black rhodium-plated dial decorated with Tremblage.
Since its launch in 1999, the AUTOGRAPH Chronograph with Panorama Date has always been regarded as a benchmark for this type of timepiece. In April 2024, to mark its 25th anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne will present two new creations for this mechanical masterpiece: the DATOGRAPH Chronograph Power Reserve Indicator in 18K white gold with a blue dial and the DATOGRAPH Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon “Lumen” in 18K honey gold.
Rare and extraordinary details
A. Lange & Söhne presents the limited edition DATOGRAPH Chronograph
“HANDWERKSKUNST” watch to add to the already exciting 25th anniversary. The distinctive decorative elements add a refined touch to the classic dial of this timepiece. Since 2011, A. Lange & Söhne has launched limited editions of unique watches named “HANDWERKSKUNST,” with beautifully decorated dials and movements. With their patience, experience, keen eyes, steady hands, and unremitting pursuit of details, A. Lange & Söhne decorators and engravers have taken the brand’s famous decoration process to a new level. Replica watch.
Dial shaky carving: superb craftsmanship in a small space.
The black rhodium-plated main dial and light grey integral dial of the AUTOGRAPH large calendar chronograph “HANDWERKSKUNST” watch are exquisitely shaky carved, presenting a delicate three-dimensional effect of light and shadow. The engraver uses a special line chisel to carve an excellent grain surface during this process. The brand’s artisans have to create a uniform texture on a tiny plane and retain some dial elements, such as the curved Lange logo, minute and second-hand scales, and tachymeter scales. These elements echo the slightly lowered sub-dial and large calendar window and are clear and eye-catching against the relief contour, forming a sharp contrast with the dark background. The brand’s artisans first chamfer the edges of the inlaid scales and Roman numerals, satin-finish the surface, and then carefully install them on the dial individually. The hands of this “HANDWERKSKUNST” watch are also meticulously circular chamfered and satin-finished.
Close-up of the AUTOGRAPH Panorama Date Chronograph “HANDWERKSKUNST” watch.
The black flat polished chronograph lever shows the pinnacle of Lange’s finishing art.
The exquisite craftsmanship is also reflected in the details of the Lange watch factory’s L951.8 movement. For example, the polishing craftsman applies black polish to the surface of the chronograph lever. This extraordinarily time-consuming and rare process ensures that the incident light is refracted in only one direction. The lever surface has a mirror-like effect from certain angles, while it appears bright black at other angles. Inspired by the pocket swiss replica watches of the past, the German silver 3/4 plywood has a grainy surface that complements the dial’s trembling process. The mechanical beauty of the manual-winding movement can be seen through the sapphire crystal glass bottom cover.
Details of the Lange watch factory’s L951.8 movement.
Hand-engraved balance cock with a vine pattern
The hand-engraved pattern of the balance cock is unique. This small and exquisite movement component is decorated with a hand-crafted vine pattern, which makes the AUTOGRAPH Panorama Date Chronograph “HANDWERKSKUNST” watch stand out. Unlike traditional Lange engraving, the vine pattern is embossed: it is based on a slightly raised metal plane, not chiseled. The engraver needs extraordinary patience to chisel away all materials except the pattern carefully. Plant patterns are a traditional design element with a long history at Lange. As early as the brand was founded in the 19th century, the first precision pocket watch was decorated with plant patterns. Therefore, this movement can be regarded as an outstanding example of Lange in chronograph watches’ mechanical and technical aesthetics.
The DATOGRAPH Panorama Date Chronograph “HANDWERKSKUNST” watch is the eighth work named “HANDWERKSKUNST” and is equipped with an 18K gold case with a diameter of 41.0 mm and a thickness of 13.1 mm. Due to its exquisite craftsmanship, this masterpiece is limited to 25 pieces worldwide and is exclusively sold in Lange boutiques. At the end of August 2024, it will debut at the 2024 Shanghai “Watches and Wonders” high-end watch exhibition. It will be grandly exhibited at the Concours of Elegance antique car show held at the same time at Hampton Court Palace in the suburbs of London.
Lange’s ingenious craftsmanship has reached a new peak in the AUTOGRAPH large calendar chronograph “HANDWERKSKUNST” watch. Whether through the dial or the sapphire crystal glass bottom cover, the charming details are in full view, witnessing the extraordinary attainments of the engraving and decoration artisans. These decorative elements and finishing details are all carefully crafted by hand, showing the beauty that any machine cannot replace.”