The “Handwerkskunst” (which means lavish extra decoration of the dial and movement) by A. Lange & Söhne is a prime example of what has come to define high watchmaking: high complications combined with high finishing.
The “Handwerkskunst” (which means lavish extra decoration of the dial and movement) by A. Lange & Söhne is a prime example of what has come to define high watchmaking: high complications combined with high finishing.
The elaborate engraving on the dial and movement of this watch is done in a free hand technique, in patterns that are more sculptural and decorative than the usual simple finish. The dial is made of solid white gold – gold is soft and therefore ideal for engraving – and decorated with a combination of tremblage and relief engraving techniques. Even the blue numerals of the date display are hand painted.
The Handwerkskunst combines two classic complications: a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar. Remarkably, the tourbillon is visible only on the case side – so important is the decoration that displaying the tourbillon is superseded by the display of the dial finish!
Time is indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds, with outsize date, day of week, month, and leap year, day/night indication and moonphase display. All perpetual calendar displays can be advanced instantaneously or individually.
It contains the Lange manufacture self-winding caliber L082.1, decorated and assembled by hand, with plates and bridges made of untreated German silver. The balance can be precision-adjusted in five positions. The central element of the unidirectional winding rotor is made of 21-carat gold and hand engraved in a relief motif, as are the wheel cocks and tourbillon. The movement contains 624 components. Unique Lange features include a patented peripheral month ring and patented stop-seconds feature. It has a 50 hour power reserve.
Signature and serial numbers are hand-engraved on caseback. It is a limited edition of 15.
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