Mario Canonizado 
Watches & Wonders 2025 keeps the good times rolling with another set of releases courtesy of A. Lange & Söhne! This year, they’ve brought out a duet of beautiful 1815 references.
Watches & Wonders is always a prime time for brands to flex their horological muscles, both for entertainment and commercial reasons. It’s a dazzling showcase of the best timepieces from hundreds of brands worldwide, with many reaffirming why they deserve to be called the cream of the crop in the industry. However, this year, the stakes have been raised with the arrival of several landmark anniversaries in the watch world. From Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary to the 20th birthday of the Hublot Big Bang collection, there’s a clear drive for brands to produce nothing less than the finest timepieces fitting for these monumental occasions.
Related Reading: What Are The Major Watch Anniversaries for 2025?
For German watchmakers A. Lange & Söhne, the pacing of Watches & Wonders 2025 is a touch different. For those familiar with the illustrious timeline of the brand, they might seem like the only major player not celebrating an iconic anniversary this year – at least not since the Lange 1’s 30th birthday in late 2024. While they don’t have any special milestones lining up with this year’s edition of the world’s biggest watch fair, it doesn’t mean they can’t still find a reason to celebrate. As the saying goes, “When opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” This year, A. Lange & Söhne finds themselves in an interesting position, as their horological history has seen the development and manufacture of 74 in-house movements. As a result, a significant milestone is at hand for Watches & Wonders, with the unveiling of their 75th in-house movement, housed within an exclusive pair of new 1815 references!
For those unfamiliar with the Richemont brand – or those primarily acquainted with their exceptional offerings in the haute horlogerie sector – the 1815 collection represents A. Lange & Söhne’s mastery in modern watchmaking while paying tribute to the remarkable history and legacy surrounding their founder. Despite the name, the 1815 collection was actually introduced in 1995 shortly after the brand’s revival. As Nicolas Gong, Managing Director for A. Lange & Söhne Asia Pacific, puts it, the rebirth of A. Lange & Söhne under the same family, coupled with the 1815’s tribute to founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s birth year, marks a singular event in watchmaking history: “From the founder to the second generation through to the fourth generation who brought back the brand… no brand has disappeared for 40 years and then been re-established again!“
In keeping with Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s original vision for pocket watches, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 collection seamlessly blends precision, functionality, and elegance. These two new references are no exception; Although they feature a petite 34mm case diameter and a slim 6.4mm thickness, the 18k white or pink gold cases provide substantial wrist presence through the density and weight of the metal. On the dial, a slender, slightly tiered bezel frames a design crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The simplicity of the layout is complemented by the railway-track minute scale, Arabic numerals, and subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, which evoke the design of classic Lange pocket watches. Meanwhile, the lance-shaped hands, rotating above a blue backdrop, match the respective case material, further enhancing the refined elegance of the timepiece. The alligator strap – blue for the white gold and brown for the pink gold—add an extra layer of elegance and wearability to the piece. Alligator leather is a popular choice for many luxury watch brands due to its comfort once broken in, without compromising on durability. These straps are finished with a prong pin buckle, crafted in the same material as the respective case.
As special as the pieces are, the true cause for celebration lies hidden behind the dial. These new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 references mark the brand’s 75th in-house calibre, the L152.1. Running at a comfortable 3Hz (21,600VpH) beat rate with a robust 72-hour power reserve, the movement is crafted to the most exacting Lange standards: hand-decorated and assembled, hand-engraved on the balance cock, and even precision-adjusted in five positions. Made almost entirely from untreated German silver, the L152.1 features Glashütte ribbing, with non-silver components including four screwed gold chatons, red ruby jewels, and thermally blued screws, creating a colourful and striking contrast. Additionally, the new oscillation system, featuring a freely oscillating balance spring and a large screw balance crafted in-house, ensures supreme precision throughout the entire power reserve.
“The challenge with the new 1815 was to make the proportions of the timepiece even more elegant, yet at the same time, maintain its simplicity and functionality… and despite the discreet case diameter, our watchmakers additionally succeeded in increasing the power reserve to 72 hours and incorporating a new going train.”
Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development, A. Lange & Söhne
My Thoughts
Reflecting on A. Lange & Söhne’s past releases at last year’s Watches & Wonders, the inclusion of these 1815 limited editions may initially seem a bit underwhelming by comparison. After all, it’s hardly a fair contest when compared to something as groundbreaking as the Datograph Perpetual Honeygold Lumen. In terms of both design and engineering excellence, a quick glance would likely place the Datograph in a far more impressive league. However, this misses the deeper point of the 1815 collection.
While there are certainly timepieces in the A. Lange & Söhne lineup designed to dazzle and awe – pieces like the Datograph or the Zeitwerk – the 1815 was never about making an immediate, show-stopping statement. Instead, the new 1815 models honor the traditions of restraint and purpose, elegantly using precious metals in a design that is both simplistic and celebratory, paying tribute to Ferdinand Adolph Lange. Featuring the brand’s 75th in-house movement, these A. Lange & Söhne 1815 references don’t need to push boundaries to represent the pinnacle of horology. Instead, they uphold the legacy of the original visionaries who set the standard in the first place.
References: 220.028 (White Gold)/220.037 (Pink Gold)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 34mm case diameter x 6.4mm thickness
- Case Material: 18k white or pink gold
- Dial: Blue with 925 silver
- Movement: Manual wind L152.1 with small seconds complication
- Power Reserve: 72h
- Water Resistance: 50m (5bar)
- Strap: Blue alligator leather strap with white/pink gold pin buckle
