Celebrating 25 Years of Chronograph Excellence
A. Lange & Söhne marks the 25th anniversary of their iconic Datograph with the release of the limited-edition Datograph Handwerkskunst. This special edition, crafted in yellow gold and featuring a black-rhodiumed dial with intricate tremblage engraving, exemplifies the brand’s commitment to technical excellence and artisanal craftsmanship.
Artisanal Excellence in Watchmaking
The Datograph Handwerkskunst is distinguished by its highly refined dial and movement decorations, a hallmark of the “Handwerkskunst” designation. Since 2011, this label has identified watches that showcase exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in dial and movement ornamentation.
Tremblage Engraving: A Testament to Precision
The dial of the Datograph Handwerkskunst features tremblage engraving, a technique that creates a finely grained texture, adding depth and a unique play of light. This meticulous process requires the engraver to maintain a consistent texture while preserving the clarity of essential elements such as the brand logo, minute graduations, and tachymeter scale. The result is a dial that combines aesthetic beauty with functional clarity.
Movement Decoration: An Art in Itself
The movement of the Datograph Handwerkskunst, the Lange calibre L951.8, is a masterpiece of finissage. The chronograph levers are black-polished, a labor-intensive technique that ensures a mirror-like finish visible only from specific angles. The bridges feature a granular surface that complements the tremblage dial, and the hand-engraved balance cock with a vine motif adds a historical touch, reminiscent of the brand’s 19th-century pocket watches.
Technical Specifications
- Movement: Lange manufacture calibre L951.8, manually wound, 426 parts, 43 jewels, 60-hour power reserve.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds, flyback chronograph, outsize date.
- Case Dimensions: 41.0 mm diameter, 13.1 mm height.
- Materials: 750 yellow gold case, black-rhodiumed and tremblage-engraved 750 gold dial, sapphire crystal.
- Strap: Hand-stitched dark-brown alligator leather with a 750 yellow gold deployant buckle.
- Limited Edition: 25 pieces.
Conclusion
The Datograph Handwerkskunst stands as a testament to A. Lange & Söhne’s dedication to the art of watchmaking, blending technical prowess with artistic finesse. This limited-edition timepiece is not only a celebration of the Datograph’s legacy but also a showcase of the brand’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship.
Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne, explains, “With the Datograph, our engineers created a manufacture chronograph as early as 25 years ago that unites highly sophisticated functions with a balanced dial design. In the Datograph Handwerkskunst, the artisanal perfection is raised to an even higher level. Be it at a glance at the dial or through the sapphire-crystal caseback – every perspective reveals fascinating details that are testament to the outstanding prowess of our engravers and finishers. Manually executed with the highest degree of precision, the decorations and finishing exhibit aesthetics that no machine in the whole world could possibly achieve.”
For more detailed information, visit the official A. Lange & Söhne website.
