What you’re looking at is an example of the most important wristwatches of the last 30 years.

The Lange 1 is without question the manufacturer’s flagship model, and the big date function is its hallmark. Though found in watches like the Zeitwerk or the Langematik Sax-O-Mat, it’s in the Lange 1 that it’s shown to the greatest effect. Alongside other details such as asymmetrical sub-dials depicting the hours and sub-seconds, and the A. Lange & Söhne signature with its famous ampersand, it shows a clarity of vision that is wholly Lange. And while the Lange 1 has seen many versions, from a tourbillon to the Timezone, it’s the original that has become the symbol of the maison — and perhaps even the symbol of modern watchmaking itself. 

This particular watch, a Grand Lange 1, is a slightly upsized version of the classic. Dating to the 2010s, it features a 41mm 18k white gold case, a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, a polished bezel, a luminous glossy black dial with alpha hands, and the all-important sapphire exhibition case back. It’s fitted to a signed black calf leather strap with a signed white gold pin buckle. 

Powering this masterpiece is the Lange & Söhne Caliber L901.2, a manual-winding movement that’s stunning to behold — and which can thankfully easily be viewed via the exhibition case back.

There are complicated watches, and then there are works of art. This is the latter.