A. Lange Sohne Reveals Richard Lange "Pour le Merite"

The new A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange "Pour le Merite" is created as a perfect reflection of the company's outstanding horological heritage. The exquisite timepiece provides the rare technical pleasure of a fusee and chain transmission.

The new A. Lange & Sohne watch impresses by its classicism and elegance. The case crafted in platinum or rose gold reveals a stately white Roman dial with blued steel hands.

The Richard Lange "Pour le Merite" watch accommodates the manufacture Lange L044.1 caliber. The movement comprises 279 components, each hand-finished, including a hand-engraved balance cock and escape wheel bridge. It incorporates the fusee and chain energy transmission system that has already been used in only two other A. Lange & Sohne timepieces - the historic Pour le Merite tourbillon introduced in 1994 and the famous Tourbograph introduced in 2005.

The ingenious system of the fusee and chain is extremely difficult to create, especially if to take into account the limited space offered by a wristwatch. The system solves the problem of declining torque in the winding train.

Besides a traditionally used mainspring barrel, the mechanism also incorporates a conical fusee joined to the barrel with help of a miniature chain. Basing on the principle of leverage, achieved by means of unreeling of the chain from the fusee and back on to the barrel, the system guarantees constant torque and the resultant amplitude, even with declining mainspring tension. The Lange watchmakers had not only to come up with the precise time measurement, but also had to deal with the inherent fragility of the fusee-and-chain itself. It is remarkable that the chain in the timepiece comprises 636 individual parts.

The Lange L044.1 caliber incorporates a glucydur screw balance with poising screws and the in-house balance spring. One more horological achievement is a precision beat adjustment system with a lateral setscrew and whiplash spring.

The mechanism has a balance frequency of 21,600 beats per hour, and provides a 36-hour power reserve.

From aesthetic point of view, the L044.1 reflects the well-maintained A. Lange & Sohne traditions. Bridges in untreated German silver are embellished with Glashutte ribbing decoration. The balance cock and escape and fourth wheel bridges are completely hand engraved. The movement features fire-blued screws, and two jewels (out of 33) set in gold chatons.

The A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange "Pour le Merite" watch demonstrates an elegant dial in genuine enamel featuring a sophisticated three-tiered design.

The timepiece is presented on a crocodile leather strap fitted with a massive Lange tang buckle in 18K rose gold or platinum. It will be available in a limited number of 200 pieces in rose gold, and 50 pieces in platinum.


Look through the selection of fine A. Lange & Sohne watches: