Height of Horology: April 2014

Tuesday, 29 April 2014

A. Lange & Söhne - Datograph Up/Down

Given the number of their models that I want, and how badly I want them, I have to conclude that A. Lange & Söhne are my favourite watchmakers. The Datograph Up/Down is one of the reasons why. When I look as this movement I wish I could be miniaturised so I can run around inside it. (Is that weird?) Unfortunately the cost of these things means I am ecstatic when I manage to just obtain a catalogue - but Lange's catalogues are highly desirable, gorgeously produced and printed items in their own right, specially designed to induce ecstasy so I have to plead diminished responsibility there.
What I love most about Lange's creations is the clearly legible, function-following form of the front versus the privileged access to the organised chaos of the driving forces underneath. Then there's the high regard for quality, the attention to detail right down to the finishing, the history of the company and personalities, the rarity, etc, etc.

YouTube video of the Datograph Up/Down:
DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN

Compulsory viewing: Check out the review here by Passion-Horlogère, with super-gorgeous photographs made by Jacques-Olivier. The images are well worth the visit alone, and if you're as ignorant of French as I am then you can Google-translate the page.

A. Lange & Söhne website

A. Lange & Söhne Facebook page

A Blog to Watch's review

Hodinkee's review

Monochrome's review

Monochrome's 2nd review

Watch Collecting Lifestyle's review