A. Lange & Söhne
Up Close with A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante
A. Lange & Söhne
Up Close with A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante
Even as the highest-skilled watchmakers would be quite content grappling with the dizzying complexity of a rattrapante, A. Lange & Söhne went further to release the Double Split in 2004, the first of its kind in the history of watchmaking that enhanced the versatility and ease of use of the traditional rattrapante by adding a minute counter for the split timing. A heap of complexity was needed to add that second minute counter, to the tune of 100 additional movement components in that tiny space of a watch case. One supposes that the logical progression would be to evolve from “double” to “triple.” In fact, that would be most illogical bordering on insane, when considering the eye-watering complexity needed to effect such a thing. But the company did it anyway, presenting the Triple Split in 2018, capable of split timings up to 12 hours, requiring 567 movement parts in the caliber L132.1. In between, A. Lange & Söhne also combined the rattrapante with other famously difficult complications, from the perpetual calendar to minute repeater.
Having done the ultra high complication circuit, it is perhaps timely to get back to the simpler pleasure of a pure rattrapante. The 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold was released in 2020 as one of three “Homage to F. A. Lange” watches to commemorate the 175th anniversary of A. Lange & Söhne, featuring a black dial with the honey gold case, limited to 100 pieces. This July, the manufacture is following it up with a new version, the 1815 Rattrapante, in platinum with silvered dial.
The 1815 Rattrapante is driven by the 365-part L101.2 which relies on two column wheels to orchestrate the complex switching operations required to track overall and lap times, splitting the hands on demand, and bringing them together again at the close of the timed event. The dance of gears and levers in the manual wind L101.2 can be seen through the sapphire caseback. As we have come to expect of A. Lange & Söhne, the clean, ascetic dial display is starkly contrasted on the reverse by the lush decoration worked onto the movement. The gold chatons held by heat-blued screws, hand engraved balance cock, expanse of ribbing on the plates, and straight graining on the upper surfaces of moving components outlined by polished chamfers are a sumptuous feast for the eyes.
Tech Specs
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante, Ref. 425.025
Movement: Manual winding caliber L101.2; 58-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, split seconds chronograph with minute counter and tachymeter scale
Case: 41.2mm; platinum 950; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Solid silver, argenté finish with matte surface; black printed Arabic numerals
Strap: Black alligator leather; platinum pin buckle
Price: Upon request
Availability: Limited edition of 200 pieces