It’s been a few years since we last saw A. Lange & Söhne fold one of its lesser-known collections back into its catalog: the Cabaret. Making a comeback, the newest addition marks the only rectangular model among the brand’s current offerings. It also puts the maison’s proprietary alloy, Honeygold, on full display across the case as well as the dial for only the second time, with the first being the Tourbograph Perpetual Honeygold “Homage to F.A. Lange” from 2020.
The rectangular case shape of the Cabaret is certainly unique for A. Lange & Söhne, who’s become synonymous with more traditional round designs like its instantly recognizable Lange 1. However, for me, despite the highly wearable 29.5mm x 39.2mm x 10.3mm proportions, the material composition and finishings of this model are really the star of the show. Here, you have the pleasing alloy – not quite yellow gold, not quite white gold, not quite pink gold but a soft and beautiful shade all its own – featured in its original form across the case and dial accents. The material is also used for the dial but has received a black-rhodium treatment.
At first glance, this looks like just another handsomely executed A. Lange & Söhne dial, but upon closer inspection, there are more layers to unpack (literally). The result is four subtle elevations on the dial giving it interest and depth. This dial composition consists of three parts: the main dial plus two auxiliary dials for the seconds and the power-reserve indicator that feature grained surfaces. Both frames, the scales, and the brand name are sculpted or milled from the dial material, creating one of the layers as a relief with a height of 0.15mm. In the following step, the three dial parts are black-rhodiumed, after which the finishers carefully grind the raised elements by hand, allowing the Honeygold to reappear – this contrast against the dark rhodium finish further enhances the depth. In the left and right corners, “Made in Germany” and “Glashütte I/SA” are then milled into the surface of the dial. Next up, the polished Roman numerals, lozenge-shaped hour markers, and the frame for the outsized date are applied – adding another layer enhanced by contrast finishing to the matte dial. Finally, the auxiliary dials are connected with the main dial from the back.
The visual interest of the dial is further amplified by complete symmetry – an atypical approach compared to A. Lange & Sohne’s signature asymmetric arrangements. Here, the trademark outsize date is prominent at 12 o’clock, the subdials are nestled beneath 9 and 3 o’clock, and the tourbillon takes center stage at 6 o’clock. Yes, tucked in this fairly compact rectangular canvas is an aperture placing the stop seconds tourbillon on full display with the upper tourbillon bridge and the top side of the cage prominently featured and highlighting another elaborate finishing technique: black polish.
A. Lange & Sohne’s stop seconds tourbillon marked a world first when it initially appeared in the Cabaret back in 2008 with the Handwerkskunst edition. What makes this mechanism special is that it allows the tourbillon to be stopped at any time with an arresting spring regardless of the position of the balance and the cage. This distinctive rectangular “form” movement, the caliber L042.1, can be appreciated fully through the sapphire caseback.
The new A. Lange & Sohne Cabaret Tourbillon Honeygold debuted over the weekend during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este held on the shores of Lake Como and is available as a limited edition of just 50 pieces priced at approximately 300,000 Euros. For more information, visit A. Lange & Sohne.
