SIHH 2010: A. Lange & Sohne 1 Daymatic

The gorgeous Lange 1 series of watches will soon be expanded with even more beautiful Lange 1 Daymatic model.

Available in pink or yellow gold or even in platinum, the Lange 1 Daymatic literally mirrors the dial layout of the original Lange 1 model.

Its signature off-center hour / minute and small seconds subdials are moved from 9 and 5 o’clock to 3 and 7 o’clock respectively.

The minimalist power reserve indicator is replaced with similarly styled retrograde day-of-week display, which is located at 9 o’clock.

Like many dressy timekeepers from Lange, this watch lacks any kind of lume on its hands and hour markers, but that is possibly to the best: it is not a diver or a pilot’s watch, after all.

There are significant changes in the mechanics department as well. According to the German brand PR department, the original Calibre L901.0 in-house hand-wound movement is replaced with a completely new L021.1 automatic caliber, which is also manufactured on A. Lange & Sohne’s own premises.

At 31.6 mm in diameter and 6.1 mm in height the new L021.1 is 1.2 mm larger and 0.2 mm higher than its predecessor, but German engineers apparently had no problem casing it since the new Lange 1 Daymatic’s case has also grown in size by 1 mm and 0.4 mm to 39.5 and 10.4 millimeters in diameter and height respectively.

However, the watch doesn’t look any more massive, preserving the clean and elegant look of its progenitor.

With such modest dimensions, the watch will look great and feel very comfortable on any wrist.

We still do not have photos of the watch’s caseback, but the German watch manufacturer says that the Daymatic’s self-winding movement is, as usual, exquisitely decorated, including a hand-engraved balance cock.

The Lange 1 Daymatic is certainly going to be one of the best offerings in the upcoming year.

Photos: A. Lange & Sohne

A. Lange & Sohne 1 Daymatic watch specification

Price range: $40,000 (rose and yellow gold) / $54,000 (platinum)
Movement: L021.1, automatic, 21,600 vph, 67 jewels, 426 parts, 7 screwed gold chatons
Complications: Day of week, date
Power reserve: 50 hours
Case material: Rose gold (ref. 320.032), yellow gold (ref. 320.021) and platinum (ref. 320.025)
Case shape: round
Case size: 39.5 mm
Case height: 10.4
Dial: Silver
Hands: Yellow or rose gold or rhodium gold depending on the model
Water resistance: N/A
Strap: Crocodile leather strap with Lange prong buckle in solid gold or platinum
Crystal: Sapphire