A. Lange & Söhne Datograph up/down "Lumen", 405.034, Platinum

Name: Datograph up/down "Lumen" | 405.034 | Platinum
Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
SKU: CJEPT_A1707
Price: 176000.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

This A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Lumen ref. 405.034* is the fourth series to receive luminous treatment, with only 200 pieces produced. The watch is distinguished by how thoroughly luminous the dial becomes under low-light conditions, with every functional indication covered in lume. With a semi-transparent sapphire crystal display, the watch is a distinctly modern take on an A. Lange & Söhne classic.

Worth Reading

Many openworked dials can feel overwhelming because of the visually complicated movement beneath it and the tricky task of having to figure out where the indications are. This Datograph Lumen reference 405.034 is the fourth watch from A. Lange & Söhne to incorporate a semi-transparent, smoky sapphire crystal dial, an approach that gives the wearer a furtive glimpse into the movement that lies below. Only 200 pieces were produced, making this a highly coveted piece for any collector looking to add a Lumen example to their collection.

In low-light conditions, the lume-filled functional displays come to life, displaying an evenly spread phosphorescence across the entire dial. The date discs, sub-dials, power-reserve indicators, down to each of the hands and even the entire outer tachymeter ring are all visibly luminous, making them easy to use and read, even in the dark.

Meanwhile, the dial retains the classic Datograph layout. It features a carefully designed dial, which perfectly balances the different elements throughout. The date and chronograph subdials form an equilateral triangle, with the central point being the pinions in the middle, which hold the hands in place. Additionally, platinum is a rarely seen material within the A. Lange & Söhne collections, as their preferred white metal is typically white gold.

The watch is powered by the in-house created calibre L951.7, which is largely the same to the original Datograph, combining a range of impressive technical and aesthetic features. It features a column wheel, lateral clutch and flyback chronograph movement, combined with a date function. The “flyback” chronograph function also allows the stopwatch to be instantaneously restarted for continuous timing, without having to stop, reset, and restart the chronograph. The warm German silver of the movement is beautifully decorated, with Geneva stripes and engraved flourishes, with a remarkable depth to the calibre's overall architecture.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down Lumen will be subject to 20% VAT

Specifications

Closer look

Brand:	A. Lange & Söhne
Model:	Datograph Up/Down Lumen ref. 405.034
Movement:	manual-winding calibre L951.7
Functions:	panorama date, hours, minutes, chronograph functions, power reserve indicator
Features:	translucent dial, luminescent indications, limited edition of 200 pieces, blued steel hands, tachymeter scale
Case material:	platinum
Case diameter:	41mm
Crystal:	sapphire front & back
Strap:	grained leather strap from our own collection, A. Lange & Söhne black alligator strap, A. Lange & Söhne platinum pin buckle
Lug width:	20 x 18mm
Year:	2019 (sold)
Accompanying materials:	A. Lange & Söhne outer cardboard box, outer box and inner leather box, leather folio, Certificate of Guarantee, Guarantee and Service booklet (dated & stamped), service booklet

Condition

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Lumen is in good condition overall. The case and lugs show marks throughout consistent with relative wear over time. More specifically, there are scuff marks on the bezel at twelve o'clock, between one and two o'clock, three o'clock, and six o'clock positions, with a light ding just at the six o'clock position on the edge of the bezel. All four lugs have superficial marks and light scuff marks on the top and side portions. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfection. The hallmarks and engravings on the caseback are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

The Datograph

Prior to the Datograph’s release, it could be argued that chronographs hadn’t changed much over the past few decades. If you look at the most significant examples that were released immediately prior to A. Lange & Söhne’s announcement, the majority ran off ébauches that were originally designed in the ‘40s, or were iterations on the automatic models of the early ’70s. This is why such fanfare was made when the Datograph was first introduced, in 1999. A truly high-end, fully in-house chronograph, it not only incorporated an out-sized date, but the freshly re-established German brand also challenged the traditional placement of the sub-dials at three and nine.

When the Datograph was launched in 1999, there was a large 10:1 display model of the movement front and centre in the brand’s booth. This model was made by A. Lange & Söhne’s tool-making department and, according to De Haas, it can take them up to six months to produce them. It announced to the watch world that the Germans had achieved something that the Swiss had yet to. According to De Haas – who can give us the perspective of someone working in a Swiss brand at the time, as he had just moved to Audemars Piguet – every brand was acutely aware of how significant this new movement and model were. Even Philippe Stern could be seen staring through the display window at it in disbelief.