A. Lange & Söhne presents two new versions of the 1815 UP/DOWN, pairing the model’s traditional pocket-watch-inspired design with a blue dial and either a 18k pink gold or 18k white gold case.
Both are limited to 300 watches and feature the manually wound L051.2 manufacture calibre with a 72-hour power reserve.
The 1815 UP/DOWN takes its name from its power-reserve indication, displayed on a subsidiary dial positioned at 8 o’clock opposite the small seconds. “AB” indicates that the movement is unwound, while “AUF” marks a fully wound state.
The model was first presented in 2013, when A. Lange & Söhne introduced the 1815 UP/DOWN with a 39 mm case in yellow, white or pink gold, paired with an argenté solid-silver dial. The new references join the existing versions in a smaller 37.5 mm case and with blue dials in either pink or white gold.
As with the original model, the power-reserve display is integrated directly into the movement through a specially developed, space-saving planetary gear system, rather than being implemented as an additional module.
The 1815 collection draws its design language from historic Lange pocket watches, with a railway-track minute scale, Arabic numerals and a recessed central dial section.
On the new references, these elements are combined with a blue 925 silver dial and argenté-coloured auxiliary dials for the power-reserve and subsidiary seconds indications.
The latter is paired with blued hands, while the hour and minute hands are crafted in gold to match the case.
A slender, subtly stepped bezel completes the compact profile.
The 37.5 mm case measures 8.7 mm in height.
The white-gold version is fitted with a blue hand-stitched alligator leather strap, while the pink-gold edition comes with a reddish-brown strap. Each is matched with a corresponding 750 gold prong buckle.
Through the sapphire crystal case back, the L051.2 reveals a movement architecture that continues the traditional character of the 1815 collection.
The 245-part calibre features a three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver, along with integrated winding wheels decorated with solarisation. Seven gold chatons secured by blued screws are used for selected jewels.
The balance is held beneath a hand-engraved balance cock and uses a shock-resistant screw balance with an in-house manufactured balance spring.
The oscillation system operates at 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour and incorporates a precision beat-adjustment system with a lateral setscrew and whiplash spring. The movement measures 30.6 mm in diameter and 4.6 mm in height, and is precision-adjusted in five positions.
In addition to the hours and minutes, the watch provides subsidiary seconds with a stop-seconds function and the integrated UP/DOWN power-reserve display.
Winding and time-setting are performed through the crown, with the fully wound movement providing up to 72 hours of autonomy.
The two new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 UP/DOWN references, 244.037 in pink gold and 244.028 in white gold, were presented at this year’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, alongside the Triple Split chronograph covered by Time and Watches last week. Prices are available upon request. alange-soehne.com
