The famous Saxon watchmaker, A. Lange & Söhne, was the guest of our Hands On corner with its entry-level complication model 1815 Annual Calendar 18K Pink Gold Ref. 238.032.
I am sure that there would not be any watch enthusiast think about A. Lange & Söhne when it comes to entry-level timepieces. The German brand, which offers watches that are equipped with milestone complications of traditional watchmaking, is highly acclaimed with its superior craftsmanship as well. Generally, Hi-End category brands did not offer entry-level models. It is possible to say that the crisis happened in 2016 has changed this situation as there a number of brands in the business who offer new models that are priced relatively lower than their usual range. The model, A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Annual Calendar, we have here today is a good example for those models.
Entry-level is a term that should be evaluated specific to the brand. Otherwise, you will probably come up with a question like “what part of the 37,500 EUR list price is entry-level?” Let’s get to the review…
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Annual Calendar comes in a stylish case measuring 40mm in diameter and 10.1mm in height. 18K pink gold case offers a comfortable wear with the help of its angled lug design. The case is equipped with anti-glare treated scratch resistant sapphire crystals on both sides and a recessed corrector at 4 o’clock in order to help adjusting the Annual Calendar function of the model.
The model’s dial is finished in light silvery gray. The layout of the dial is clean and simple for a timepiece with annual calendar function providing perfect legibility, which is beyond our expectation. Let me also add that the 1815 Annual Calendar model is the only timepiece in A. Lange & Söhne product comes without the brand’s signature Big Date display. Besides hours, minutes and small seconds, annual calendar features like day, date and month can also be monitored through the dial that offers classic details large Arabic numeral indices and blued hands.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Annual Calendar is powered by the manufacture Caliber L051.3 movement. Despite being an odd choice for an annual calendar model due to its manual winding architecture, the movement compensates this handicap with its 72-hour power reserve supplied when fully wound. The movement, which offer exclusive details despite being entry-level, can be enjoyed through the sapphire crystal display case back.
The model comes on a brown hand-stitched alligator strap. The strap is secured with an A. Lange & Söhne signed folding clasp made of 18K pink gold material in line with the case.
There is also an 18K white gold version in the collection. Both versions retails € 37,500 per each.
