A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1, 101.001, First Generation, Yellow Gold

A very early example

One of the first watches released by A. Lange & Söhne following the resuscitation of the brand, the Lange 1 has become a modern icon. With a serial number of 1000XX, this example is one of the first 30 Lange 1 pieces to have left the manufacture, with supposedly only 135 “first generation” watches made in the first year of production. It is understood that the watch bearing the serial number 101001 belonged to Walter Lange.

Unsurprisingly, the piece has established many of the series’ design cues – the decentralised arrangement of the displays on the dial is characteristic, with the centres of the displays designed to form the corners of an isosceles triangle. The masterful use of empty space, with none of the displays overlapping, creates an overall sense of balance and refinement.

The solid caseback

The first Lange 1 pieces were produced with solid casebacks, as it wasn’t the norm to openly display movements at the time. It is understood that the solid caseback can be found on watches produced between 1994 and 1997, before A. Lange & Söhne fully transitioned to sapphire casebacks, following requests from clients who wanted to admire the finely finished movements. Representing the very first iteration of the Lange 1, these early pieces combine rarity, historical significance, and intrigue.

The dial

Exhibiting an aesthetic that is undeniably Lange, an oversized “outer” aperture is displayed at the top right corner of the dial, inspired by the Five-Minute Clock at Semper Opera House in Dresden. At three o’clock, the power reserve is indicated in German, a reminder of the manufacture’s origins. The two lightly recessed subsidiary dials are a silvered colour compared to the rest of the white dial, with the indication for the hours, minutes, and seconds. These are decorated with a satin-brushed finishing, allowing for a soft sheen when light is angled towards the face. The dial features several details – most notably the modestly sized “Made in Germany” signature – which distinguish it as an early Lange 1 dial. Meanwhile, the hands are all rendered in a polished yellow gold, complementing the case.

The movement

This Ref. 101.001 is powered by the calibre L901.0, based on a Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 822 gear train that Günter Blümlein brought over. The aesthetics of the movement are just as impressive as the mechanics, with the chamfering and interior angles superbly hand finished. Moreover, it features an artistic flourish: a balance-cock engraved by one of Lange’s master engravers. In fact, it is said that each individual watchmaker’s unique engraving style can be identified as a result. One of the many things that helped to cement this movement as German, not Swiss, was the use of untreated German silver. This metal not only gave the movements a unique shine, but over time they can start to develop a much richer hue that is distinct to the brand.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 101.001 | Yellow Gold will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

Condition

This early, yellow gold Lange 1 has been very well preserved over the course of its lifetime, with only a few marks visible on the case throughout, consistent with careful wear. The case appears unpolished and has maintained correct shape, whilst the engraving and hallmarks on the solid caseback are sharply defined.

The original, subtly champagne-toned dial shows no visible imperfections and displays the small MIG signature below the 6 o’clock roman numeral consistent with first-generation examples. It also comes with its original spring bars and yellow gold pin buckle. The watch was recently serviced by A. Lange & Söhne (2022), at which time the caseback screws were replaced, though the case left unpolished.

Warranty

The watch comes with the remainder of its two-year service warranty from A. Lange & Söhne, as well as a lifetime guarantee of authenticity from A Collected Man.