A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Up/Down Limited Edition

Chronographs are complex products. One of the first brands to release their own chronograph after the decline of the quartz era was A. Lange & Söhne. After the brand’s revival in 1994, one of the priorities set by Gunther Blumlein was the development of his own chronograph mechanism.

Just five years later, Lange released the Datograph L951.1 Calibre, an improved chronograph of its own production, which surpassed other leading brands such as Patek Philippe, IWC or Rolex, and which is rightfully considered the standard of a high-end chronograph. The sophisticated technology powering the classic column wheel mechanism with flyback function was also a sight to see, with its three-dimensional landscape of bridges, levers, cams and stones showcasing the beautiful decoration of the Glaschutte school.

The Datograph was launched in 1999 and became Lange’s first chronograph, and since then this model has become the platform for some of the brand’s most impressive watches. A. Lange & Söhne celebrates the 25th anniversary of its landmark 1999 chronograph with the release of the Datograph Up/Down “25th Anniversary”. The limited edition Datograph anniversary watch features a dark blue dial combined with a white gold case housing the much-loved L951 movement.6.

Although the anniversary Datograph does not seem to be anything special at first glance, the color and material for the model are quite unique. The Datograph has always been offered only in platinum, pink, or yellow gold, and has never been produced with a blue dial before (except in one case). The blue dial clearly refers to the unique pattern of the first generation Datograph with a blue dial, which fans of the brand will appreciate.

Datograph is rarely released in a limited edition. This is only the third limited edition of the Datograph (after the 2019 Datograph Lumen), not counting the gemstone models. A total of 125 units will be produced. The 18-carat white gold case is 41 mm wide and 13.1 mm high. It’s big and a bit massive in typical Lange style, but it’s well finished. On the reverse side, you can see the L951.6 movement, the same caliber as in the regular version. The well-known and revered aesthetics remains the central element.

The distinctive dial, which cannot be confused with any other watch on the market, complemented the set with Lange’s signature big date at noon, as well as two additional dials and a power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, forming an equilateral triangle.

Updated in 2012 with some design changes and an increased power reserve of 60 hours to become the Datograph UP/DOWN, the Datograph spawned the development of 13 innovative chronograph movements and the increasingly sophisticated Datograph Perpetual and Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Lange is introducing the white gold version of the Datograph UP/DOWN with a blue dial. This third iteration of the Datograph, available in platinum and rose gold with black dials, has identical specifications to its counterparts.

The case has polished surfaces on the front and a matte case in the middle and back. Now made in blue for the first time, the dial features contrasting rhodium-plated luminous hands of hours, minutes and power reserve in white gold, a second hand of a rhodium-plated steel chronograph, overhead markers in the form of sticks in white gold and blued steel hands on additional dials.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Datograph is its readability and usability, which are comparable to an aircraft instrument. The flyback mechanism, which allows for two consecutive time measurements with virtually no delay, means that the chronograph can be stopped, reset to zero and started again in one action. To find out the elapsed time, the jumping minute counter at 3 o’clock does just that: it jumps with precision to the next step when the chronograph’s second hand completes the 60th second. The AB/AUF counter at 6 o’clock shows how much power reserve is left, and on the third day the hand turns to the red section, reminding you to wind up the watch, while not forgetting that the big date can be easily adjusted using one of the chronograph buttons.

The mechanism of 451 parts operates on a manufactured caliber with manual winding L951.6. The frequency is 18,000 half-vibrations per hour, and the accuracy of measurement of elapsed time is one fifth of a second. The sapphire case back cover shows off the bouncing minute counter and column wheel in action and boasts an impressive finish associated with Lange: raw bridges made of German silver, a hand-engraved balance bridge, four gold screw-down shutters, a Glashütte finish, etc.

Technical Specifications A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Up/Down Limited Edition

blue, Lange branded large date, additional rhodium-plated dials for displaying the elapsed time of the chronograph at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock, both with blued steel hands – power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, luminous hour and minute hands made of white rhodium-plated gold, white gold stick-shaped markers, rhodium-plated chronograph central second hand

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