SIHH 2003 – Lange Report [4/15/03]

News and Events July 1, 2003 admin

SIHH 2003 – Lange Report

by Peter Chong

April 15, 2003

The Luna Mundi

This SIHH, Lange Uhren reveals the Grande Lange 1 Luna Mundi. Based on the regular Lange 1 caliber L901 sitting inside an enlarged case of diameter 41.9mm. This year’s novelty is a limited edition set of two watches, one in white gold and another in rose gold.

Each set contains two watches, one in white gold, with the Ursa Major depicted within the hour dial and the moondisk showing the synodic (continuously moving) moondisk spinning clockwise depicting the moon as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.

The companion, in rose gold, depicts the Southern Cross, and features the synodic moondisk spinning in a counter-clockwise fashion, depicting the moon as seen from the Southern Hemisphere.

The synodic moonphase of both are accurate to 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds, is emulated precisely so that the gear-ratio-related display error is 1.9 seconds per day, or 57 seconds per lunation.

This eventually adds up to one full day in 122.6 years. The push-piece
recessed in the case between 7 and 8 o’clock makes it possible to re-adjust the
moon-phase display if required, or in case the watch had stood still for a
prolonged period of time.

The watches are offered in a limited edition of 101 pieces in a set of two
watches, and presented in a wooden case.

Data Sheet GRAND LANGE 1 “Lunda Mundi”

Movements:	Lange Manufacture calibres L901.7 (“Luna Mundi/ Southern Cross”) and L901.8 (“Lunda Mundi/ Ursa Major”); manually wound; crafted, assembled, and decorated almost entirely by hand to the highest Lange quality standards; adjusted in five positions; twin mainspring barrels; patented outsize date; power-reserve indicator; plates and bridges made of untreated cross-laminated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand
Number of Parts:	398 (“Luna Mundi/Ursa Major”), 402 (“Lunsa Mundi/Southern Cross”)
Frequency:	21,600 semi-oscillations per hour
Jewels:	54
Screwed Gold Chatons:	9
Escapement	Lever escapement
Balance:	Shock-proofed glucydur screw balance, Nivarox balance spring, patented micrometer-screw index adjuster with whiplash spring
Power Reserve:	More than 72 hours when fully wound
Functions:	Hours, minutes, small seconds with stop seconds, patented outsize date, power-reserve indicator
Features:	Moon-phase display for Northern Hemisphere with clockwise and Southern Hemisphere with anti-clockwise moon disc rotation for correct presentation of visible lunar orbit. Accuracy of display: One day deviation from synodic lunation in 122.6 years
Operating Elements:	Crown for winding the movement and setting the time, push-piece for switching the patented outsize date, recessed push-piece for correction of the moon-phase display
Case:	Diameter 41.9 millimetre: 18-carat white gold (“Luna Mundi/Ursa Major”), 18 – carat pink gold (“Luna Mundi/Southern Cross”), respectively
Glass and Caseback:	Sapphire crystal (hardness 9)
Dials:	Solid silver, argenté, with rhodiumed gold and pink gold appliques, respectively
Hands:	Rhodiumed gold and pink gold, respectively
Water Resistance:	30 metres
Straps:	Hand-stitched crocodile strap with precious metal Lange prong buckle in white and pink gold, respectively
Edition:	Limited to 101 sets (two watches each)

Also new this year, the Grande Lange 1 and Langematic. Both in new cases of 41.9mm diameter, instead of the normal Lange 1 (38.5mm), Langematic (37.5mm).

The Langematic looks exactly the same as the original version, but the Grande Langematic is only available with date. Same movement as L924.1 as in the original, sans movement ring, but held in a thicker case wall.

The Grande Lange 1, now compliments the lineup comprising the Little 1 (36mm), the regular 1 (38.5mm). The movement is the L901.2 movement. The architecture of the dial reflects the added space with the addition of railway tracks for the subdials, and slightly overlapping time subdial and subsidiary seconds subdial. Available in yellow gold, pink gold, platinum with solid silver dials in champagne, black, or rhodium to match case material accordingly

Datograph in Rose Gold

Another variation introduced this year is the long awaited (for some) Datograph in rose gold.

Since its introduction in Basel 1999, the Datograph has made its name as one of the best chronograph ever made. Available only in a platinum case till this year, it represents the epitome of the chrono art and science. In rose gold, black dial and white subdials, the watch takes on a different persona – one completely romantic, and exudes a more daring beauty.

Shown above, side by side to the more austere platinum example, is the Rose Gold prototype. This picture was taken in SIHH 02.

Luminous Lange 1

Also making the first appearance this year, is the rather more sporty looking Lange 1 with superluminova hands, black dial, white gold case. I leave you with a picture to contemplate if this was an experiment which will find great commercial success.