| Released in 97 in Dresden, and available with or without the Lange outsized date, the same high quality is observed. The movement sports the traditional 3/4 plate movement. It has one unusual feature, not seen in any timepiece as yet: the small seconds hand resets to zero when the crown is pulled out for setting the time. The idea is not new. It has been used to reset the chronograph hands, but its inclusion to aid resetting a constant seconds hand is insightful. This is achieved by a chronograph type cam mechanism which is activated, and stops the balance wheel (by engaging the hacking mechanism) allows for the constant seconds hand to return to zero when the crown is pulled to set the time.This allows for accurate time setting without having to wait for the small seconds hand to come to zero. When the seconds hand is in the second half of the dial, it resets by moving forward to zero, in the first half of the dial, it resets by reversing to zero. A very innovative feature, and a landmark achievement. Click here to link to the British Horological Institute's feature on this unique watch, and some technical discussion as to its execution. As can be seen in the picture on the right, the rotor is planetary, and off centered. Made to run on bearings to reduce the overall height of the movement, it is virtually frictionless...if you have the opportunity to handle one, gently tilt the case as you watch the rotor through its sapphire glass back, and note the smoothness in which the rotor moves. Click here for a Jaeger and Danny's review of the Langematic. |  |
No major or significant announcements were released in the 98 Basel. Lange Uhren showed various color combinations for the dial and case material (white gold, yellow gold and pink gold). The only "new" Lange to hit the streets will be the limited edition Lange 1A.
 | The only difference from this release, apart from the limited edition status, is the dial is solid guilloched gold (instead of solid silver), and the movement features solid gold in unusual places:
Other than the obvious rarity of this movement, there is no significant advantage to using gold in these places. Shown below is the movement of the 1A. |
Basel 99 proved to be an interesting year for La nge Uhren. For the first time, it is participating in Basel with its own booth...prominent at the main hall, right of the entrance. Also significant, is the introduction of an all new caliber: the L951, Der Chronograph. As the first new chronograph to be designed for at least 20 years (all current chronographs are based on either the Valjoux 7750/7760, Lemania 5100, Piguet 1185, Zenith 400 or old stock made/designed before the quartz revolution).
Horologically interesting features are:
Click here for the world's first review of the Lange Datograph...first published in the internet at Timezone.com on November 15, 1999. Click here for technical details
I am interested in hearing your comments on A. Lange & Söhne watches, or on this web page. Click here to comment.
I also run a Lange Forum, where anybody can participate and ask questions or share their expreiences.
Finally, if you are a Lange watch owner, either their older watches or those in current production, I am Founding Chairman of the Lange Owners Group. Click here to register yourself.
This page was created by Peter Chong. Last updated April 28, 2000. Copyright © 2000 Peter Chong
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