A Lange & Sohne Boutique Edition 1815 Chronograph 414.026

US$0.00

SOLD

Description

This is the A Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph reference 414.026. Founded by Adolf Lange in the German watchmaking town of Glashutte, Lange has a storied history. Post World War II, the company was actually nationalized, leading to their company’s disappearance from the late 1940s till 1989. Post the communists’ abandonment of a single party rule in Eastern Europe, Walter Lange managed to return to his origins in Germany and re-established the company. Lange is often thought of as a watchmaking powerhouse, with workmanship, finishing and quality rivalling the best of the Swiss counterparts like Patek Philippe.

The 1815 line was introduced in 1995, a year after the introduction of the Saxonia. Named after the birth year of Ferdinand Adolphe Lange, the 1815 line carries a distinctive resemblance to their pocket watches. The aforementioned boutique edition chronograph was first released by the brand in 2015. With an outer pulsation scale with blue numerals over a solid silver dial, the boutique edition remains highly desirable due to the long wait times and the exclusivity.

When speaking about the 1815 Chronograph, the highlight is definitely the movement on full display through the open caseback with the cal L951.5. Architecturally and aesthetically marvelous, the bridges and plates are crafted out of German silver with pristine hand-finishing and a hand engraved balance cock. Consisting of 306 components, the L951.5 is truly a sight to behold and is widely acknowledged as one of the most remarkable movements of its time.

With greater awareness in recent times, the brand has experienced somewhat of a renaissance, with rare and early pieces fetching record highs in auctions. This is not unexpected in the eyes of seasoned collectors who have always held the brand in high regard and rightfully so. While the brand has been around for awhile, it was until recently one of horology’s best kept secrets and it’s good to see that A. Lange & Sohne is finally getting the recognition that it deserves as a premier watchmaker.

Condition

This A Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph is in overall good condition. There is some signs of wear on the case, noticeably a pair of obvious hairline scratches on the bezel below the 6 o’clock. The case can be refinished upon request. Both crystals have no flaws. The watch comes accompanied by the inner and outer boxes as well as the warranty certificate dated 2019 and is in full working order.