By Jovan Krstevski
I have this lingering thought about writing something for a watch that maybe not all of us can think of having on our wrists. Think about this way, a lot of people write about supercars yet they don’t even drive one but thankfully enough there are those who delve into the write-up for entertainment purposes, well I’d like to differentiate myself since I’m here to provide honest information, now since that is out, let me get back to business. In for the day is the A. Lange & Söhne and their incredible release for the SIHH event. For the less informed, A. Lange & Söhne is a huge player and they don’t always do shows for lackluster watches. They’re in for the big shows and this is why I love it when they’re showing off. So without further ado here is the new A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour le Mérite.” I still get the shivers from their awesome releases for the last SIHH events like the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds and the hypercomplex Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon.
Well, turbos don’t just stay underneath car hoods we get one that sits right on top of our wrists, the A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour le Mérite.” What makes this watch impressive is that it packs lots of technologies. To make things simple, think about a 1994 Tourbillon “Pour le Merit” sporting both the fusee-and-chain and the tourbillon then add a chronograph with rattrapante and a perpetual calendar, ain’t this just complicated.
Then there is the 43mm platinum case that is just 16.6mm thick, how in the world do they get to pack all of the above things into such a lovely case? What makes it even more interesting is the silver dial layout, complex yet very effective and highly readable. There is the open-heart view of the tourbillon at 6, date and moon phase at 12, month and leap year at 3, and day and running seconds at 9. I like how the Arabic numerals add ease to an already complex reading. The blued hands are for the standard time whilst the gold-plated steel hand is for the chronograph. Don’t forget the beautiful rattrapante hand delineated by blued steel.
As for the movement, there is the beautiful in-house calibre L133.1. This is visible through the sapphire caseback. Whilst the movement can be viewed on the watch face, nothing beats the subtle rear view of course. The movement packs 684 pieces but if we include the links in the fusee-and-chain we get 1320 pieces, try disassembling that for fun. Being manually wound, it cranks about 36 hours of power reserve, that’s long enough for a watch this caliber. Being a luxury watch of course it’s good to mention the nice pieces such as the 52 jewels. The plates and bridges use German silver treated to the finest finishing and decoration available in the horology world.
Note that there are only 50 pieces of this beautiful timepiece. The lucky 50 people gets their piece on a black alligator leather strap that also uses the same platinum seen on its case for its deployant buckle. At €480,000 this watch is really expensive but is it worth it, you decide. For more info, please visit alange-soehne.com
