Presented as a limited edition of 100 pieces, the new reference 424.025F joins the white gold 2018 original and the pink gold 2021 edition — the two precious metal siblings that have defined the model’s brief but dense history. What changes here is not the architecture, because the Triple Split’s architecture needed no fixing. What changes is the character. In platinum, with a rhodié-coloured main dial and darker grey auxiliary counters, Lange has turned its most technical chronograph into something approaching a dress watch. It is a curious and rather brilliant piece of staging.

Why the Triple Split Still Stands Alone

Every rattrapante chronograph can split seconds. The Triple Split splits seconds, minutes and hours simultaneously — three pairs of blued and rhodiumed hands that run synchronously until the pusher at 10 o’clock freezes the trio. The party trick is that intermediate and comparative times can now be captured for as long as twelve hours, not sixty seconds. Lange’s people at the presentation were quick to point out the marathons, the classic car rallies, the endurance events — use cases that a conventional split-seconds chronograph simply cannot touch. When Anthony de Haas, Director Product Development, called it “a league of its own,” he was not exaggerating, and he has been building chronographs at Lange long enough to know.

The flyback function remains, operated from the crown-side pushers, letting you reset and restart a measurement in a single motion. And there is the 2005-patented disengagement mechanism, which lifts the friction of the stopped rattrapante hands and the advancing minute counters off the seconds arbor, so the balance never starves. It is the kind of invisible engineering that separates a Lange chronograph from a merely complicated one.

The dial is the story this time. In place of the 2018 model’s grey-on-white-gold and the 2021 blue-on-pink-gold compositions, the platinum watch wears a rhodié silver main dial with deeper grey auxiliary counters at 4, 8 and 12 o’clock, plus the UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator at 6. Red accents on the tachymeter scale and the hour and minute counters give the cool monochrome palette a pulse. The applied hour markers are rhodium-plated 18k gold, and the blue steel of the rattrapante hands reads almost black against the silvered ground — restrained in the metal in a way the renders never quite convey.

The L132.1 Calibre, In the Metal

Flip it over and the sapphire caseback reveals one of the most photographed movements in high horology. The L132.1 is assembled from 567 parts, and the finishing is pure Glashütte: bridges of untreated German silver with Glashütte ribbing, straight-grained levers, polished chamfers on the acute internal angles, five screwed gold chatons, and a hand-engraved balance cock. In the metal, the depth of the construction gives the movement a topographical quality — you read it in layers rather than at a glance. This is a movement that rewards the loupe, and it is one of the few worth carrying one for.

On the wrist the 43.2mm platinum case carries its 15.6mm height surprisingly well, though it is unapologetically a large watch. The dark brown alligator strap with the quick-release platinum deployant buckle balances the mass, and the grey-and-brown combination is more versatile than the spec sheet suggests. Water resistance is a modest 3 bar, which is entirely in keeping with the Triple Split’s lineage — this has never been a tool watch, it is a demonstration.

Priced at approximately €210,000, the reference 424.025F is the most expensive expression of the Triple Split yet — but among 100 pieces, the question was never whether they would sell. It was whether Lange would make them. For collectors who missed the 2018 and 2021 editions, this is likely the last, and arguably the most characterful, chapter of the story. For everyone else, it is a reminder that the Triple Split remains the only chronograph in the world that can split twelve hours of measurement.

Specifications

The Triple Split’s journey from 2018 to now is one of Lange’s most deliberate — a manufacture that rebuilt itself from nothing in 1990 does not do casual releases. For a deeper look at chronographs and how they work, our guide to chronograph watches and understanding complications in horology cover the fundamentals this release builds on beautifully.

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In the metal, the first impression is how much of the 1815’s personality survives the reduction. The railway-track minute scale, the recessed centre of the dial, the Arabic numerals and the off-centre sub-dial arrangement all carry over unchanged from the 39mm Up/Down. What is new is the dial itself: a blue surface in 925 silver, with twin argenté sub-dials sitting at 4 and 8 o’clock. On the white-gold reference the combination reads almost achromatic and crisp; on the pink-gold version the blue warms against the rose case. It is the kind of colourwork Lange has been adding selectively to its classics, and here it gives a very traditional time-only layout a contemporary edge.

A Smaller Stage for the AB/AUF Indicator

The 1815 Up/Down takes its name from the one complication it exists to show off. The “AB” (abgelaufen, or down) marker at the bottom of the power-reserve arc represents a fully unwound mainspring, while “AUF” (aufgezogen, or up) indicates a full wind — a display with deep roots in Saxon pocket watchmaking, where knowing how much run time remained was a practical necessity. Unlike many brands that bolt a power-reserve module onto an existing movement, Lange integrated this one directly into the calibre using a space-saving planetary gear system, so the indicator reads the true state of the mainspring rather than a separate train.

The arc at 8 o’clock carries a red segment warning that only six hours of the 72-hour reserve remain. It is a small, humane touch: glance at the dial and you know whether the watch needs winding before you leave the house, no guesswork required. Opposite it, the subsidiary seconds at 4 o’clock uses blued-steel hands, while the central hour and minute hands are lancet-shaped and finished to match the case metal — white gold on the white-gold watch, pink gold on the pink-gold version.

Inside the L051.2

Flip either watch over and the caseback sapphire reveals the manually wound L051.2 manufacture calibre, and this is where Lange’s hand-finishing argument gets made in full. The three-quarter plate is untreated German silver, which slowly takes on a warm patina over years of wear; the winding wheels visible through the plate carry solarisation; and seven gold chatons, each secured by a blued screw, hold the jewels in place. Underneath the hand-engraved balance cock sits a classic screw balance with an indexless regulation system and a Lange balance spring made in-house. It runs at 21,600 vph (3Hz) and offers 72 hours of power reserve from a single barrel, with 245 components in total.

White Gold or Pink Gold: Two Readings of One Watch

The two metals are more than a cosmetic choice. The white-gold 244.028 pairs its blue dial with a blue alligator leather strap, creating a cool, monochrome silhouette that disappears into a cuff and reads as the more discreet of the pair. The pink-gold 244.037, by contrast, is worn on a reddish-brown alligator strap, and the warmth of the case colour gives the blue dial a glow the white-gold version simply cannot match. Both close with matching gold pin buckles, and both stop at a remarkably slim 8.7mm in height with a 45mm lug-to-lug, which is what makes a 37.5mm case wear as elegantly as it does on the wrist.

Lange Returns to 37.5mm

This is not the first time the 1815 Up/Down has been built at this size. Back in 2006, Lange produced a limited run of the same watch in 37.5mm as a tribute to Walter Lange, using a case diameter that was already considered small for a men’s watch at the time. Eighteen years on, the industry has caught up with that instinct — 37mm to 38mm has become the sweet spot for dress pieces, and Lange’s decision to revive the dimension for a regular (if limited) production run feels less like nostalgia and more like a statement of where the category is heading. The compact case also keeps the overall weight down despite the precious-metal construction, which was immediately noticeable when handling both references side by side.

Availability and Pricing

Both new 1815 Up/Down references went on display at the Concours of Elegance, which ran from 4 to 6 September at Hampton Court Palace, and they are now in the hands of Lange’s global boutique network. As with most of the manufacture’s current output, pricing is on request, though the outgoing 39mm models sit in the €40,000 range across Europe; trade press reports put the new blue-dial editions at approximately €45,000. Each reference is strictly limited to 300 numbered pieces, with the edition number engraved on the rim of the caseback.

For a closer look at how the Up/Down display fits into the wider world of mechanical watchmaking, our guide to what power reserve means in a mechanical watch and our essay on caring for manual-wind watches cover the fundamentals. Those weighing a compact dress piece should also read our dress watch vs. diver vs. field watch comparison, and for the broader story of the manufacturer behind these editions, start with the history of A. Lange & Söhne. Full details of both references are available on the official A. Lange & Söhne product page, and the brand’s press release for the 1815 Up/Down documents the full background of the launch.

Specifications

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From its humble beginnings in the mid-19th century to its triumphant revival after decades of turmoil, the story of A. Lange and Sohne is one of resilience and innovation. This article delves deep into the brands origins, pivotal moments, inaugural timepiece, and the diverse array of watches that have defined its place in horology.

The Founding of A Lange and Sohne

The tale of A. Lange and Sohne begins in 1845, a time when Europe was buzzing with the promise of industrialization, yet the art of watchmaking remained a craft of patience and skill. Ferdinand Adolph Lange, a visionary watchmaker from Dresden, saw an opportunity to elevate German horology to rival the Swiss masters.

At just 15 years old, Lange had apprenticed under Johann Friedrich Gutkaes at the Saxon court, honing his skills amid the royal clocks and intricate mechanisms that demanded flawless precision. By his early thirties, he was ready to strike out on his own.

Encouraged by the Saxon Minister of the Interior, who sought to foster local industry and reduce reliance on imported watches, Lange set his sights on Glashutte, a sleepy village in the Ore Mountains. This remote location, with its skilled metalworkers and silversmiths, offered the perfect canvas for his ambitions.

On December 7, 1845, he established A. Lange and Cie, starting with a modest workshop and 15 young apprentices. These boys, drawn from the surrounding valleys, were the seeds of what would become the German Watchmaking School.

Langes approach was revolutionary for its era. He insisted on the three-quarter plate movement, a compact and robust design that minimized friction and maximized reliability. He also championed the use of German silver for plates and bridges, a material that resisted corrosion and allowed for the stunning finishes that would later become a hallmark of the brand.

Within a few years, Glashutte transformed from a mining town into a horological hub. Lange not only trained apprentices but also founded a watchmaking school in 1848, ensuring that knowledge passed down through generations.

By the 1850s, the workshop was producing pocket watches that caught the eye of European aristocracy. These early pieces featured hand-engraved dials and complications like chronographs, showcasing Langes blend of functionality and beauty.

His sons, Emil and Richard, joined the fold, expanding the family enterprise. Ferdinand himself became a symbol of Saxon pride, receiving honors from the king for his contributions. Yet, this golden age was built on more than talent; it was forged in the disciplined ethos of Glashutte, where every screw was hand-polished and every gear adjusted by feel.

The foundations laid by Lange were not just technical. They were cultural. In an era when Swiss watches dominated markets from London to St. Petersburg, Lange proved that German precision could stand tall. His legacy was one of community building, as he collaborated with other Glashutte makers to standardize quality. By the time of his death in 1875, A. Lange and Sohne had produced thousands of timepieces, each a whisper of the industrial revolution tempered by artisanal soul.

Key Milestones in the Brands Journey

The history of A. Lange and Sohne is a tapestry woven with threads of triumph and tragedy, marked by events that tested its very existence. Following Ferdinand Langes passing, his sons carried the torch with fervor. Emil, the elder, focused on innovation, while Richard handled the business side.

The late 19th century saw the brand flourish, with exports surging across Europe. A pivotal moment came in 1900 at the Paris Exposition, where Emil unveiled the brands first tourbillon pocket watch. This gravity-defying complication, which rotated the escapement to counter positional errors, earned international acclaim and solidified A. Lange and Söhne’s reputation for technical prowess.

The early 20th century brought further accolades. In 1902, the workshop crafted the No. 42500 Grand Complication, a one-of-a-kind pocket watch commissioned for Viennese collector Heinrich Schafter. Featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and split-seconds chronograph, it represented the zenith of pre-war horology.

Yet, prosperity was fleeting. The outbreak of World War I disrupted supply chains, and the Great Depression of the 1930s squeezed markets. Still, the family persevered, producing military timepieces that aided the German effort without compromising quality.

Disaster struck in February 1945, as Allied bombings reduced the Glashutte workshops to rubble. Over 80 percent of the facilities were destroyed, along with irreplaceable tools and archives. In the aftermath, the Soviet occupation nationalized the remnants, folding them into the state-run VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe.

Under East German control, the brand name faded, though skilled workers continued crafting watches under new banners like GUB. For nearly half a century, A. Lange and Söhne existed only in memory, its legacy buried under the Iron Curtain.

The turning point arrived in November 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Walter Lange, Ferdinand’s great-grandson and a lifelong watchmaker at the VEB, saw a glimmer of hope. At 55, he sketched plans for revival, partnering with Günter Blümlein, a brilliant engineer from IWC.

In 1990, with German reunification on the horizon, they registered the trademark and rebuilt the manufacture on the original site. This rebirth was no mere resurrection; it was a bold reinvention.

On October 24, 1994, Walter Lange presented the first new watches to the world at the Dresden Opera House, a symbolic nod to Saxon heritage. The launch featured four collections, but the real milestone was the brands commitment to in-house movements.

By 1997, innovations like the zero-reset mechanism debuted, allowing hands to snap precisely to zero when the crown was pulled. The turn of the millennium brought acquisition by the Richemont Group in 2000, infusing resources while preserving independence.

The 21st century has been one of relentless evolution. In 2004, the Zeitwerk introduced a mechanical digital display, blending tradition with modernity. The 2011 Odysseus marked the brands first steel sports watch, broadening its appeal.

By 2024, marking 30 years since relaunch, A. Lange and Söhne boasted 72 proprietary calibers, each hand-assembled with up to 1,000 operations. These milestones underscore a journey not just of survival, but of mastery, where every setback fueled greater ingenuity.

The Debut Watch That Set the Standard

When A. Lange and Söhne reemerged in 1994, the horological world held its breath. After decades in obscurity, the brand needed a statement piece to reclaim its throne. That honor fell to the Lange 1, unveiled as part of the inaugural quartet alongside the Saxonia, Arkade, and Cabaret. Yet, it was the Lange 1 that captured imaginations and defined the renaissance.

Designed by Blümlein and refined by a team of artisans, the Lange 1 broke conventions with its asymmetrical dial. At first glance, the off-center hour and minute hands might seem whimsical, but they stem from profound intent.

Inspired by the Semper Opera Houses clock in Dresden, the layout features a large date window at three oclock, twice the size of traditional apertures, powered by a patented mechanism. A subsidiary seconds dial at six oclock and a power reserve indicator at ten complete the composition, creating a sense of organized chaos that feels both modern and timeless.

What truly sets the Lange 1 apart is its movement, the Caliber L901. Hand-wound and visible through a sapphire caseback, it showcases the brands signature three-quarter plate in German silver, adorned with Glashütte ribbing and perlage. Every bridge is hand-engraved, and the balance cock features a hand-crafted swan-neck regulator. At 38.5mm, the case in honey gold or platinum exudes understated luxury, with lugs that curve ergonomically for comfort.

The Lange 1 was not just a watch; it was a manifesto. It challenged the symmetry of Patek Philippe and the boldness of Audemars Piguet, offering German restraint laced with innovation. Over the years, variations proliferated: the Lange 1 Tourbillon in 2002 added a flying balance, while the 2019 Moon Phase introduced a poetic celestial complication. Today, with nearly 40 iterations, the Lange 1 remains the brands bestseller, a perpetual reminder that true debutants leave indelible marks.

Historically, the very first timepieces from 1845 were pocket watches, simple yet exquisite hunting-case models with fusee and chain mechanisms for constant power. These evolved into keyless-wind designs by the 1860s, but the Lange 1’s 1994 debut as the modern flagship wristwatch cemented its role as the true progenitor of the contemporary era.

Evolution of Collections and Watch Types

A. Lange and Söhnes portfolio has grown from those four 1994 launches into a symphony of collections, each telling a chapter of its story. At its core are wristwatches, though the brand honors its pocket watch roots with limited editions like the 1815 Tourbillon for Lange. The diversity spans from minimalist dress pieces to high-complication marvels, all united by impeccable finishing.

The Lange 1 family, as noted, anchors the lineup with its iconic big date and outsize moon phase variants. Evolving since 1994, it now includes chronographs and perpetual calendars, blending everyday wearability with astronomical precision. Complementing it is the Saxonia collection, launched in 1994 as the thinnest in the debut lineup at under 8mm. These ultra-slim automatics and moon phase models epitomize Bauhaus-inspired simplicity, with clean dials and exhibition casebacks revealing the brands poetic engravings.

Paying homage to Ferdinand Langes birth year, the 1815 series debuted in 1995 with classic round cases and Arabic numerals. Drawing from 19th-century pocket aesthetics, it offers up-down indicators and rattrapante chronographs, like the 1815 Chronograph, which resets and flies back with surgical accuracy. For enthusiasts of timing, the Datograph, introduced in 1999, revolutionized flyback chronographs. Its Caliber L951.1 features a column wheel and precise 1/5-second readout, housed in a tonneau case that balances sport and sophistication.

Innovation shines in the Zeitwerk, launched in 2009, where mechanical digits flip like a binary clock, powered by a remontoire for constant force. This digital-analog hybrid pushes boundaries, with striking mechanisms that chime on the hour. The Odysseus, arriving in 2019, ventures into sports territory with its integrated bracelet and quick-change system, crafted in Oystersteel for resilience.

Complications abound across lines: tourbillons in the Pour le Mérite series recall 1994s debut, while the Richard Lange honors the co-founder with observation watches featuring constant force. Limited editions, like the 2020 Triple Split, track hours, minutes, and seconds across three time zones. Women-specific models, such as the Saxonia Thin with diamonds, add feminine flair without sacrificing mechanics.

Throughout, types evolve from basic three-handers to grande complications, incorporating perpetual calendars that account for leap years and split-seconds chronos for split-second timing. Materials range from platinum to ethical rose gold, with dials in lava or Aventurine for artistic depth. This evolution reflects a philosophy: every watch type serves a purpose, crafted to last generations.

The Enduring Legacy and Future Horizons

As A. Lange and Söhne approaches its 180th anniversary, its legacy gleams brighter than ever. From Ferdinand Langes visionary workshop to Walters defiant revival, the brand has navigated wars, divisions, and doubts with unyielding precision. Today, limited to 5,000 pieces annually, each watch bears six Glashütte hallmarks, from the golden chaton to hand-stitched straps.

Looking ahead, the future promises more boundary-pushing creations. With Richemonts backing and a new generation of Langes at the helm, expect advances in silicon components and sustainable sourcing.

Yet, the soul remains unchanged: handcrafted in Glashütte, where time is not just measured, but revered.In an industry chasing trends, A. Lange and Söhne reminds us of horologys true north: excellence born of history. For collectors and connoisseurs, owning one is not mere acquisition; it is stewardship of a story that ticks eternally.

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