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 A. Lange & Söhne 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, and 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 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 also includes hacking seconds, a power reserve indicator, an offset main dial with subsidiary seconds and AM/PM indicator — all the 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 platinum case, this particular example features a lovely satin silver dial with applied indices and a matching 'alpha' handset, a signed brown alligator leather strap with a signed platinum pin buckle, and perhaps the best part of any Lange — a sapphire caseback for crystal clear viewing of the horological delight that is a Lange movement.  Absolutely incredible! Furthermore, this piece is in excellent condition overall and comes with all its factory goodies including its inner and outer box set, as well as its set of books that neatly tuck into a signed leather folio. The world time complication is a perfect embodiment of travel and all the romance that comes along with it.  Adding it to the Lange 1 is not only a stroke of genious, but a beautiful execution of haute horlogerie.