Introducing: The New Limited Edition 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar In White Gold
What We Know
It’s hard to stay on top of the important anniversaries of every watch in the industry but let this be a reminder from A. Lange & Söhne: It’s been ten years since the announcement of the first 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. In case you thought you might forget again, they’ve given you a pink-dialed, 18k white gold limited edition to commemorate the occasion. And in Lange style, it’s a stunner.
The watch is powered by the same hand-wound L101.1 movement of the last 10 years and that won the grand complications category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie in Geneva in 2013. The perpetual calendar will correct for the date including all leap years up to 2100, while the super-accurate moonphase won’t need correction for 122.6 years, as long as it stays wound. Then there’s the clearly visible rattrapante mechanism (and with Lange, really so much is about checking out the movement architecture) at the back.
The combination of an 18k white gold case (in the same 41.9mm by 14.7mm measurements as the past releases) and a pink-gold dial (something I’ve learned over the years Lange is very particular about not referring to as any kind of color inspired by a fish) is limited to 100 pieces, with the price on request.
What We Think
Yes, it’s a new dial color and not much else, but it’s hard to be mad about a watch that looks this good.
I think the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar often gets overshadowed by other examples of Lange’s watchmaking (whether dials with the Lumen series or just amazingly complex movement architecture). If I was thinking of my favorite Lange movements to look at I probably would list the first-generation Datograph, Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, Triple Split, and even plain 1815 before I remembered the 1815 Rattrapante QP. In fact, this is only the 4th release in the line (two metals in 2013 and a Handwerkskunst release in 2017) so it’s a good reminder for me to get ahold of one for a little one-on-one time.
Now I said it’s hard to be mad at Lange for the watch but I have a few thoughts about the dial. Despite picking the most iconic dial color and case metal color (though not in steel, sadly) I wonder if this release is a bit late to the “salmon but not salmon” party. I was excited when MB&F did it because the salmon and white metal combination is really something so classic that Max Büsser’s choice there was a nice nod from a very futuristic brand. Here, Lange potentially runs a bit close to the old Patek 5270P color combination, a watch that’s well-loved and was probably at a similar price point when it was on the market. It’s also a very hard color to wear frequently and in the environments you’d want to wear this watch.
That said I’ve seen a Triple Split on the New York City subway so you can wear whatever you want, whenever you want. And I wouldn’t judge you for a split second if this was the watch you wore everywhere.
The Basics
Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
Model: 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar
Reference Number: 421.056
Diameter: 41.9mm
Thickness: 14.7mm
Case Material: White Gold
Dial Color: Pink gold
Indexes: Printed numerals
Strap/Bracelet: Leather strap
The Movement
Caliber: Lange L101.1
Functions: Perpetual calendar with analogue date, day of week, month and leap year Moon-phase display, Split-seconds chronograph Power-reserve indicator
Diameter: 32.6 mm
Thickness: 9.1 mm
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Jewels: 43
Pricing & Availability
Price: On Request
Availability: Immediately
Limited Edition: Yes, 100 pieces
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You can learn more about A. Lange & Söhne at their website.
Hodinkee
