A Breakdown of the 2022 Novelties from A. Lange & Söhne

Background of the Brand

With Watches & Wonders kicking into full gear, we take a deep dive into one of the most anticipated releases, the 2022 novelties from the German manufacturer A. Lange & Söhne. Since its successful revival led by the founder’s grandson Walter Lange and watch executive Günter Blümlein back in 1994, it has transformed into a cult icon that remains highly favored amongst serious watch enthusiasts. In this year’s edition, the brand returns with two important updates to their Odysseus and the Grand Lange 1 collections and introduces a whole new model, the new Richard Lange Minute Repeater.

What is the Deal?

As part of its novelties for 2022, A. Lange & Söhne has released the new Richard Lange Minute Repeater that continues the long-tradition of the Glashütte-based manufacture of developing and producing their in-house complications since the 19th century.

Since the 19th century, the Glashütte-based manufacturer has been known for their in-house complications which first began with their pocket watches. Now, the brand continues this narrative by releasing its latest creation, the Richard Lange Minute Repeater. This limited edition model of only 50 pieces features a whole new minute repeater complication, where the chiming mechanism has a pause elimination feature that skips the usual break in between the hour and minute strike.

As explained during the digital presentation given to the press by Anthony de Haas, their Director of Product Development, the watch comes with its own unique safety measure that stops the complication from being activated while setting the time. Conversely, the crown cannot be pulled while the chiming is on. Further on, he discusses that a patented hammer locking system has been placed inside the mechanism to prevent the hammers from rebouncing and striking the gongs again. Encased in a 39mm platinum case and powered by the manual caliber L.122.1, it is set with an enameled white-gold dial in white with its blued steel hands and slim Roman numerals that are all manufactured in-house.

The sportier Odysseus has been released as a special limited edition model in a titanium case that is fitted with an ice-blue dial configuration.

With all the hype toward sport watches these days, it is hard to imagine any edition of the trade show without an update to classic models including the Odysseus. First introduced in 2019, the model has gained an upsurge in demand for the past four years. This year, the brand has a special limited edition of the watch in titanium, a first for the brand. As de Haas explained in his presentation, the watch is powered by the in-house automatic caliber L155.1 due to the balance wheel having a high frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) underneath the balance wheel bridge that has been tastefully engraved with a wave pattern. Encased in a titanium case measuring 40.5 mm, this special release will be limited to only 250 pieces and only retailed as a boutique exclusive.

The Grande Lange 1 gets a refreshed look coming in a much thinner case profile of 41mm in diameter and a height of 8.2mm as compared to the original model from 2003.

Capping off the releases for 2022, the Grande Lange 1, the larger version of the emblematic Lange 1 gets a refreshed look with a height of 8.2mm and 41mm in diameter. In comparison to the original Grande Lange 1 model that was first introduced in 2003 sporting a height of 8.8mm, the new novelties are much thinner in their case profile and are larger in wrist size. Powered by the manual caliber L095.1, the watch comes in two new metal configurations of white gold and pink gold. Both models feature the same distinctive Lange outsize date function, a power reserve indicator and a running sub-seconds dial. Both releases will carry the same solid silver-grey dial and will be part of the main production lineup.

The new Grande Lange 1 comes in two configurations namely pink gold (left) and white gold (right) both sporting the same solid silver-grey dial.

What Do We Think?

It would not be a typical Watches and Wonders event without anticipating what comes out of the German watch brand A. Lange & Söhne. The standout from this year’s releases is the new Richard Lange Minute Repeater, which now integrates the minute repeater complication into their heritage line. As de Hass carefully explained, the watch serves as a “bridge” between artistry in its elegant design language and German engineering by creating a safety mechanism that stops the minute repeater from functioning when one sets the time and vice versa.

Specifications

Our coverage of the various Watches and Wonders continues into the week of 30 March-5 April 2022. To keep yourself informed of the latest releases at the event on our website.

Find out more at the Vintage Grail website. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or contact us at (+63) 917 159 1211.