A. Lange & Söhne announces two line extensions to their collection this year. Here are the details:
Press Release (edited for brevity) with commentary.
With the demise of all large shows this year, and with Watches & Wonders currently scheduled for 2021, many of the Richemont brands have chosen to release their novelties for 2020 on the first W&W Digital Platform to coincide with the original W&W dates. No doubt, the stable of novelties are tamed down, and we don’t blame them for reserving the important big launches till later, when the world has recoverd. And as expected Lange has decided to do line extensions instead of horologically significant novelties.
A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater in White Gold
Presented in 2015, the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater is the world’s only watch that combines a mechanical jumping numerals display with a decimal minute repeater. The complicated timepiece – its assembly alone requires several months – has so far been available only in platinum. Five years after its debut, it now comes in a limited 30-watch edition in white gold with a deep-blue dial.
The deep-blue dial in solid silver contrasts beautifully against the rhodiumed German silver time bridge. A blue hand-stitched leather strap highlights the elegance of the timepiece.
Composed of 771 parts, the manufacture calibre L043.5 is completed by hand with extreme care and utmost patience. Of the 93 jewels, three are set in screwed gold chatons. The hand-engraved balance cock – the artistic signature of all Lange watches – was given a design complement: the escape-wheel cock engraved with the same motif.
This is a line extension as the novelty is exactly the same as the earlier 2015 Zeitwerk Minute Repeater release, except that it is now available in a white gold case with a deep blue dial. The same L043.5 movement is used in both. The earlier version was only in platinum, with a silver dial, offered at €440,000, but now increased to €449,000. The new watch is a limited edition of 30 pieces, but price the same as the non-limited edition in platinum.
A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus in White Gold and strap
The now A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus now comes in white gold with an integrated rubber or leather strap. The sporty-elegant timepiece with the large-format date and day display and a water-resistant case features a grey dial with a special surface structure for a very textured effect.
The same Lange Caliber L155.1 Datomatic is used. Only now, without the bracelet getting in the way, the watch can be laid flat to showcase the exquisitely finished movement. Both straps are equipped with a white gold prong buckle.
Everything is the same as the original Odysseus, which we reviewed (click here), except the case is now in white gold, and instead of the much maligned bracelet, it now comes with either a rubber or leather strap. Both these ideas are not new, as Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe both offer gold versions of their Royal Oak and Nautilus with the same attachments.
Pricing has increased to S$57, 400 / €39,500 from S$40,700 / €28,000 to reflect the change in case metal and offset with the replacement of the bracelet with straps.
