The race to build the world's first automatic chronograph calibre in 1969-70 was spearheaded by the Chronomatic Group, Seiko and Zenith. The 'El Primero' chronograph calibre from Zenith emerged a clear favourite in watchmaking circles. From 1970 until the early '90s, the industry did not see further innovation when it came to high-end chronograph movements. Standard practice, even for revered horology brands like Patek Philippe, was to purchase outsourced chronograph movements to re-work and build into their watches. This process was less costly and saved them time.
The A384 Zenith El Primero Chronograph.
Refusing to go with the tide was A. Lange & Söhne. The brand was instrumental in creating a complicated chronograph movement, built completely in-house. Their Datograph, released in 1999, shook the Swiss watchmaking world, forcing it to sit up and take notice of sophisticated German watchmaking. Taking into account the risk factor and high cost involved, Lange & Söhne’s approach, complemented by their high standard of design and hand-finishing, transcended all to occupy a rarified zone.
The Datograph Up / Down with a 'flyback' chronograph.
Unique design and dial layout
The very first thing you notice on the dial of the Datograph is its Oversized Date. The next is the reverse panda seconds' and minutes' sub-dials at 8 and 4 o'clock as opposed to the traditional 9 and 3 o'clock positions on automatic chronographs.
The visually satisfying equilateral triangle formed between the oversized date and the two subdials are synonymous with the design of all Lange & Söhne Datograph watches to date.
A five-minute clock in the Semper Opera House in Dresden, Germany was the inspiration behind this iconic oversized date. It was designed by Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes who also happened to be both father-in-law and mentor to Ferdinand Lange, along with Gunter Blumlein (who was instrumental in re-establishing the brand post World War II) and then-CEO Wilhelm Schmid.
To fully appreciate the Datograph's design in its entirety, inspect the movement through the open sapphire caseback. The entire construction of German silver plates and bridges, rubies set in gold chatons, and burnished blued screws make for one of the most visually stunning movements I have ever come across. The back of the watch is reminiscent of a raised three dimensional mini-city that also features Lange's Swan neck regulator, hand-finished to perfection.
Meticulously beveled and polished parts, and hand-engraved surfaces are worked on by highly trained craftsmen assigned to work on specific parts of the watch. No two watches can ever be the same due to the signature touch of the professional who gives it birth. This adds to the charm of owning a timepiece which is unique and distinctive in every sense.
The beautifully simplistic and one-of-a-kind dial sports white gold hour markers on its periphery and a white painted tachymeter scale to measure speed. Rhodium gold hour and minute hands are treated with Super Luminova, which make them legible at night. The timepiece is made of 450 parts that sit beautifully in one platinum case.
Manufacturing challenges
The equilateral triangle formed by the uniquely positioned oversized date and sub-dials posed a massive challenge wherein the axes carrying the hands of the small seconds and minute counter were way too close to the unit disc of the oversized date. This left very little room for other parts of the chronograph. Modifying an already complicated lateral clutch column wheel movement, while adhering to the demands of the design layout, was no mean feat and the watchmaker did this to perfection.
Why is this movement so special?
The standout feature of the Datograph caliber L951.1 is evident when the chronograph is activated. The minutes counter hand switches at the exact time the chronograph seconds hand completes 60 seconds. Most, if not all, chronographs do not display this level of synchronicity between the two hands. The quick set oversized date function and the complex fly-back chronograph are testament to Lange's ability to produce high-end timepieces.
In conclusion...
The caliber L951.1 that powers the Lange & Söhne Datograph with its complicated construction and intricately crafted yet robust moving all come together to deliver one of the best serially produced chronograph movements in the world.
When asked if this was true, legendary independent Swiss Watchmaker, Phillip Dufour said this about the watch: "Take 10 movements out of the current range of any contemporary brand, put them next to a Lange movement, and comment honestly on what you see. The best way to judge is by examining the truth."
A brand can only garner such respect when its leaders have a vision to create the unthinkable coupled with the perseverance to constantly innovate and re-invent.
Lange & Söhne's founder Ferdinand Adolf Lange reinforced the same ideology when he said: "The entire pursuit of a watchmaker should be the perfection of each and every watch."
