A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Timezone

What you’re looking at is a variation of perhaps the most important wristwatch of the last 30 years. The Lange 1 is without question the manufacturer’s flagship model, and the big date function is its hallmark. Though found in watches like the Zeitwerk or the Langematik Sax-O-Mat, it’s in the Lange 1 that it’s shown to the greatest effect. Alongside other details such as asymmetrical sub-dials depicting the hours and sub-seconds — as well as the A. Lange & Söhne signature with its famous ampersand — it shows a clarity of vision that is wholly Lange. The Lange 1 has seen many variations, from a tourbillon-eqipped reference to the Timezone, seen here. Introduced in 2005, it maintains the classic lines of the Lange 1 by incorporating the world time and AM/PM indicator into the sub-seconds dial at 5 o’clock, plus a revolving outer GMT band with the names of 24 cities. Powered by the manually-wound Calibre L031.1, it features hacking seconds, a power reserve indicator, and an offset main dial with subsidiary seconds and AM/PM indicator — all hallmarks of the classic Lange 1. Two pushers — one for the date at 10 o’clock and one for the world time function at 8 o’clock — are subtly integrated into the watch’s left side. With its 42mm 18K yellow gold case, this particular example features a lovely champagne dial with applied, yellow gold Roman indices and a matching, yellow gold 'alpha' handset; a signed, brown leather strap with a signed, yellow gold pin buckle; and perhaps the best part of any Lange — a sapphire caseback for clear viewing of the horological delight that is a Lange movement.  Chef’s kiss.  The Lange 1 is special enough on its own, an icon of horology. But this particular execution is a masterpiece.