A. Lange & Söhne has returned with two blockbuster releases to the Datograph series, marking a significant milestone in the collection’s legacy, blending cutting-edge innovation with traditional craftsmanship for a contemporary work of art.
For a watch to earn the prestigious title of “Handwerkskunst” – a term that reflects the highest level of craftsmanship in German watchmaking – it must be a special release. It’s a term that has been reserved exclusively for unique releases from A. Lange & Söhne, for ultra-rare watches that boast decorated dials and elaborate movements.
With only 25 pieces ever produced, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Handwerkskunst is another showstopping release from the German watchmakers, reflecting the brand’s enduring excellence to become a truly contemporary work of art.
Limited Edition Masterpiece
First introduced in 1999, the Datograph is a technically sophisticated and intricately assembled timepiece. It features a flyback chronograph function and a prominent date display, which has become a hallmark of A. Lange & Söhne watches.
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To celebrate 25 years of the German brand’s magnum opus, A. Lange & Söhne has introduced two new models to the collection: The Datograph Up/Down in white gold and the Datograph Tourbillon Honeygold.
The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Handwerkskunst is a rare gem, with only 25 pieces crafted worldwide. Each piece is individually numbered and engraved making it a coveted collector’s item and a small piece of the German watchmaker’s esteemed history.
Intricate Tremblage-Engraved Dial
The Datograph Handwerkskunst stands out as a true contemporary masterpiece, with its black rhodium dial adorned with exquisite tremblage engraving. This meticulous craftsmanship involves hours of careful work by skilled artisans, who use a specially crafted burin to achieve a fine-grained texture while preserving crucial elements like the brand logo and tachymetric scale.
The result is a dial that offers a stunning three-dimensional effect, perfectly complementing the applied Roman numerals and hour markers.
“In the Datograph Handwerkskunst, the artisanal perfection is raised to an even higher level. Be it at a glance at the dial or through the sapphire-crystal caseback – every perspective reveals fascinating details that are a testament to the outstanding prowess of our engravers and finishers. Manually executed with the highest degree of precision, the decorations and finishing exhibit aesthetics that no machine in the whole world could possibly achieve.”
Anthony de Haas, A. Lange & Söhne Director Product Development
High-Precision Manually Wound Movement
On the reverse, a sapphire crystal caseback reveals the watch’s beating heart: a meticulously finished L951.8 manually wound chronograph movement. Look closely at each of the intricate details, such as a hand-engraved balance cock featuring a vine motif, which adds a touch of the brand’s traditional artistry to this contemporary technical marvel.
