In 2024, one of A. Lange & Söhne’s most important models turns a quarter-century old and, as anyone familiar with the brand knows, “25” is Lange’s lucky number. This is the year of the Datograph for the German watchmaker. First released in 1999, the brand marks the occasion with a pair of limited editions that are sure to grab your attention.

The first is a new configuration of the Datograph Up/Down that fits into Lange’s reputation of tastefully restrained, classical German watchmaking. The second is a halo piece that’s calculated to dazzle and which represents several of the brand’s most celebrated traits in a single superwatch.

The Datograph exists within the Saxonia line, but has a name and level of recognition that transcends its collection. It comes in a few variants, including those with complications such as a perpetual calendar, and there have been more in the past, but the Datograph Up/Down is the modern base model.

Adding a handy power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, it replaced the original Datograph in 2012 with a redesign that also included a larger case and other updates (such as stick indices replacing Roman numerals). When the Datograph was introduced in 1999, it took the watch world by surprise as even many high-end Swiss brands hadn’t yet introduced in-house chronograph movements. It was an important step in establishing the celebrity Lange enjoys today.

In addition to the power reserve indicator, the Up/Down features the Datograph’s flyback chronograph and “outsized” date complications. It’s the latter which has become a signature for Lange and which the brand nearly always presents reading “25” in its marketing materials. The new Datograph Up/Down joins two models in the permanent collection. They’re cased in platinum and rose gold, respectively, both with black dials, but the new limited edition offers more variety with a white gold case and deep blue dial.

Movement: A. Lange & Söhne L951.6, manually wound, 60-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, outsized date, flyback chronograph, power reserve indicator
Case: 41mm x 13.1mm, white gold
Dial: Blue
Strap: Alligator, blue
Availability: Limited to 125 examples
Price: On request

If the above limited edition represents the Lange that’s loved for its down-to-earth, German matter-of-factness, the Lumen represents the brand flexing. We’re looking at a Datograph decked out with high complications and rendered in awe-inspiring style.

There exist perpetual calendar variants of the Datograph and even those with a tourbillon, combining two of horology’s highest feats of complexity. Further combined with the Datograph’s standard flyback chronograph and outsized date (the later of which alone comprises over 60 components) makes for a truly mind-boggling horological salad of complexity. That’s exactly what this model does, and cases it all in the proprietary alloy Lange usually saves only for its most special models, Honeygold. But what really makes this model special is rendering all that in the brand’s stunning “Lumen” treatment.

The Lumen concept is one to which A. Lange & Söhne returns with regularity. These are special, limited models which feature sapphire crystal dials to offer a glimpse of the clockwork beneath but with a darkened “smoked” treatment which helps retain legibility—and just looks incredibly cool. The clear dial also serves another function: it allows light to reach luminescent elements such as the big date and remain sufficiently glowy when it changes at midnight.

Along with the big date numerals, multiple other elements from the hands to the subdials and the tachymeter scale all light up with an applied luminous compound. Combined with the tinted sapphire dial and the watch’s otherwise classical configuration, it offers a visual effect that you’d be hard pressed not to call captivating.

As striking as the dial side is, many will turn an A. Lange & Söhne watch over in their hand right away. The brand’s watchmaking is, after all, at the heart of its success, and here you can see its intricate movement that is widely regarded as among the absolute best in the business. It’s further fitting with the brand’s understated personality that the tourbillon, which so many brands highlight with a view from the dial, can only be viewed through the watch’s caseback.

Movement: A. Lange & Söhne L952.4, manually wound, 50-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; tourbillon with stop seconds; flyback chronograph with precisely jumping minute counter; tachymeter scale; perpetual calendar with outsize date, day of week, month, leap year; day/night indicator; moonphase display
Case: 41mm x 14.6mm, Honeygold
Dial: Sapphire crystal
Strap: Alligator, brown
Availability: Limited to 50 examples
Price: On request