For the very first time, an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece
unites the stop-seconds mechanism for the tourbillon with the ZERO-RESET
function. The interaction between the two patented mechanisms makes it possible
to stop and set the new 1815 TOURBILLON with one-second accuracy.
The 1815 TOURBILLON is designed for supreme precision.
Unprecedented rate stability is assured by the one-minute tourbillon. The
interaction between two patented mechanisms enables the watch to be set with
great accuracy. When the crown is pulled, the balance inside the tourbillon
cage stops instantaneously and the seconds hand jumps to the zero position. The
watch can now conveniently be synchronised with a reference watch or a time
signal.
More than 200 years ago, the invention of the tourbillon was
the ingenious solution to a serious watchmaking problem. Because pocket watches
were generally worn verti-cally, the influence of gravity on the balance often
caused considerable rate deviations. To offset this unwanted effect, it was
necessary to constantly change the orientation of the oscillation system. So
the balance and the escapement were placed in a rotating cage, called
tourbillon. This compensated position errors and increased rate accuracy. Since
then, the tourbillon has lost none of its fascination. Its micromechanical
complexity and artisanal finissage still symbolise engineering prowess and
horological precision.
Unfortunately, it was long impossible to exactly set watches
equipped with a tourbillon. This is because the tourbillon could not be
stopped. In 2008, Lange’s calibre designers put an end to the impasse. At the
time, they succeeded in braking the balance inside the rotating tourbillon cage
directly and without delay. When the crown is pulled, a complex lever mechanism
is activated which presses a movable V-shaped spring onto the balance wheel and
stops the balance instantaneously. The new 1815 TOURBILLON is also endowed with
this patented mechanism, which can partly be observed through the aperture in
the dial. But this time, Lange’s product developers went a step further. They
paired the stop mechanism with the also patented ZERO-RESET mechanism. It
causes the blued-steel hand of the subsidiary seconds dial to instantly jump to
the zero position when the crown is pulled, thus facilitating the
synchronisation of the watch by positioning the minutes hand exactly above a
minutes stroke and starting the watch with one-second accuracy.
The understated design of the 1815 TOURBILLON assures crisp
legibility. It is therefore consistent with the underlying ideals of Ferdinand
A. Lange, whose birth year graces the name of the timepiece. The tourbillon
that is visible through the aperture in the dial is the only manifestation of
the complexity of the watch. In comparison with earlier versions, its diameter
was increased by nearly one millimetre to 13.2 millimetres. The arbor of the
tourbillon carries the subsidiary second hand. In the interest of maximised
contrast with the light-coloured dial, it is crafted from blued steel. The
combination of Arabic numerals with the classic railway-track minute scale is
reminiscent of historic A. Lange & Söhne pocket watches.
The hairspring and balance wheel are crafted in-house with
extreme meticulousness and perfectly matched to one another. Precision also
comes to the fore in the intricate finish of all movement parts and is crowned
by the diamond endstone of the tourbillon. With a diameter of 39.5 millimetres,
the pink-gold or platinum case provides a harmoniously proportioned stage for
the Lange manufacture calibre L102.1. The limited edition of 100 watches in
platinum emphasises the exclusiveness of this exceptional timepiece. The first
A. Lange & Söhne tourbillon watch with stop seconds and ZERO-RESET is
another example of the manufactory’s determination to never stop questioning
technical solutions and pursue its commitment to continuous improvement.
1815 TOURBILLON
Movement - Lange manufacture calibre L102.1, manually wound, crafted to
the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand;
precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated
German silver; seconds bridge engraved by hand
Movement parts - 262
Jewels - 20, including one diamond endstone
Screwed gold chatons - 3
Escapement - Lever escapement
Oscillator - Shock-resistant screw balance; superior-quality balance
spring manufactured in-house, frequency 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour
Power reserve - 72 hours when fully wound
Functions - Time indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds;
one-minute tourbillon with patented stop seconds and patented ZERO-RESET
mechanism
Operating elements - Crown for winding the watch, setting the time, and
activating the ZERO-RESET mechanism
Case dimensions - Diameter: 39.5 millimetres; height: 11.1 millimetres
Movement dimensions - Diameter: 32.6 millimetres; height: 6.6 millimetres
Crystal and back - Sapphire crystal (hardness 9)
References -730.032 - 730.025
Edition - None - 100 watches
Case - Pink gold - Platinum
Dial - Solid silver, argenté
Hands - Blued steel
Strap - Hand-stitched crocodile strap, reddish-brown
Buckle - Lange prong buckle in pink gold
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