A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, 740.056, White Gold

Name: Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon | 740.056 | White Gold
Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
SKU: WWG_A1867
Price: 198000.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

This Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ref. 740.056 in white gold was released in 2019, just a few years after the original series was launched in 2016, as a boutique-only release of only 100 pieces. An undoubtedly impressive watch, the dial retains the classic Datograph layout while balancing the addition of a perpetual calendar complication. Turning over the watch reveals the beautifully crafted tourbillon, with excellent finishing and decoration that we have come to expect from the brand.

Worth Reading

This Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon 740.056 is an ambitious and undoubtedly impressive watch from A. Lange & Söhne. While the brand had previously created perpetual calendar and chronograph pieces separately, this was the first time that all three complications were combined into a single watch. While the watch was first introduced in 2016, this reference 740.056 was released later in 2019, combining a light salmon dial with a white gold case. This was a boutique-only release of just 100 pieces.

The dial retains the classic Datograph layout. It features a carefully designed dial, which perfectly balances the different elements throughout. The date aperture and combined month/day-chronograph-function sub-dials form an equilateral triangle, with the central point being the pinions in the middle, which hold the hands in place. The sub-dials themselves are stepped, allowing each ring of information to be distinct from the others, while a combination of thinner blue hands for the chronograph functions and thicker leaf-shaped hands for the months and days give further visual separation. A moonphase also sits just above 6 o'clock, its deep blue complementing the salmon tones of the dial.

Turning the watch over reveals the impressive architectural depth of the calibre L952.2, which is made from 729 parts. The challenge with this movement was for them to maintain the aesthetics of the L951.1, the original Datograph movement, while also keeping the proportions in mind, as well as adapting the movement to include a tourbillon.

On most watches, the tourbillon complication is placed prominently on the dial, but with this reference 740.056, the tourbillon cage is given pride of place at 6 o'clock on the reverse of the watch, featuring a sharply finished and polished carriage and bridge. The three arms of the tourbillon are hand finished and excellently bevelled, with polishing from all sides. Additionally, it features a stop-tourbillon mechanism first introduced by the brand in 2008, which gently stops the balance wheel at the pull of the crown, allowing for more accurate time-setting.

As is the case with all of A. Lange & Söhne watches, the movement is made from German silver, and features beautifully polished and finished parts, with brushed and chamfered levers, perlage decoration on the base plate, and Geneva stripes. In keeping with the many complications that this watch houses, the watch has a diameter of 41.9mm, and is 14.6mm thick, making it an assertive presence on the wrist.

Specifications

Closer look

Brand:	A. Lange & Söhne
Model:	Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon ref. 740.056FE
Movement:	manual-winding calibre L952.2
Functions:	tourbillon, perpetual calendar (year, month, panorama date, day), moonphase, day/night indicator, power reserve indicator, chronograph functions, hours, minutes
Features:	salmon dial, limited edition of 100 pieces, blued steel hands, display back, luminescent indications, tachymeter scale, guilloché sub-dial
Case material:	white gold
Case diameter:	41.5mm
Case thickness:	15mm
Lug-to-lug:	50.5mm
Crystal:	sapphire front & back
Strap:	grained leather strap from our own collection, A. Lange & Söhne brown alligator strap, A. Lange & Söhne white gold depolyant clasp
Lug width:	20 x 18mm
Year:	2021
Accompanying materials:	A. Lange & Söhne outer box and inner leather box , A. Lange & Söhne leather folio, A. Lange & Söhne setting pin, Guarantee & Service booklet (signed, stamped & dated), Care & instruction booklet

Condition

This A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show virtually no signs of wear throughout and remains likely unworn from new. The watch arrived stickered and was only removed for the purposes of photography. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections. The hallmarks found on the case and deployant clasp are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

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

HOW THE SALMON DIAL CAME TO BE

Pink, rose or golden opaline. All of these dial shades can fall under a seemingly catch-all term which has gained something of a cult following of late. Salmon. From elusive vintage Patek Philippe chronographs, to a small handful of Royal Oaks, this unusual colour has long fascinated collectors on account of its scarcity, charm and aesthetic. In more recent times, this interest seems to have reached a new level, with vintage pieces becoming all the more difficult to find and contemporary watches, from large brands and smaller independents alike, integrating this shade into their designs.

There is something instantly appealing about this salmon hue, which seems to speak to collectors in a way few other colours do. After all, there must be a reason why, for such a long time, Patek Philippe held it back for its closest clients or to mark special occasions.

Though decorative arts and more unusual colours had already been used in pocket watches and clocks for generations, we start to see something similar to salmon appear more consistently during the art deco period, both on the wrist and in the pocket. Rather intuitively, the first executions of the colour came in the form of tone-on-tone rose gold watches, that also featured rose gold dials.

Whilst these were never described as salmon by brands or collectors at the time, they do seem to be the point of origin for the shade. After all, it seems only logical that the hue would evolve from a widely used precious metal already present in nature, rather than created by deliberate alchemy. The matching of a rose gold case or bezel, with a similar dial seems like the more obvious point of origin for the choice. Indeed, many of the earliest rose gold dials are only found within cases which feature the same metal, likely as a way to make the design of the piece feel more coherent.