Introducing the new Lange Datograph Lumen. Lange & Sohne is launching today a new version of its Datograph chronograph, the Datograph Up/Down Lumen. Limited to 200 pieces, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down Lumen (ref. 405.034) comes in a 41mm platinum case. Price
German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne is launching today a new version of its acclaimed Datograph chronograph, the Datograph Up/Down Lumen.
With a classic column-wheel configuration, a precisely jumping minute counter, a flyback function and the iconic Lange outsize date, the Datograph was the manufactory’s first proprietary chronograph calibre. Launched in 1999, it was soon recognized by most experts as one of the best chronograph watches ever designed. Its hand-wound movement is a true horological masterpiece.
With the new Datograph Up/Down Lumen, a limited edition of just 200 pieces, the chronograph function can be used even in darkness, thanks to a semi-transparent dial and luminous displays.
The dial impresses for it balance and respect of the ideal proportions, with the characteristic outsize-date display in the framed double aperture marking the tip of an equilateral triangle. Its baseline is defined by the two subsidiary dials for the seconds and the jumping minute counter.
The flyback function makes it possible to start consecutive measurements of event durations with a single push of the button at 4 o’clock instead of having to stop, reset and start, as for standard chronographs.
The Datograph Up/Down Lumen also indicates how much of the 60-hour power reserve remains available thanks to a streamlined indicator at 6 o’clock.
A luminous compound causes all displays to glow in the darkness with a distinctive green hue that is comfortable for the human eye. The hour and minute hands are filled with the luminous material while the chronograph sweep seconds hand is fully coated with the compound. The seconds hand and minute counter in blued steel revolve above subsidiary dials that are luminous in the dark. The circumferential dial ring with the minute scale that is subdivided into fifth-of-a-second graduations, the concentric tachometer scale and the power-reserve arrow applique also glow in green.
Even more stunning is the luminous outsize date, whose mechanism is clearly visible through the semi-transparent dial. You can see the luminous tens cross and the black printed units disc made of transparent glass which rotates above a luminous background. Both elements recharge during the day, ready to glow when darkening.
The Datograph Up/Down Lumen is the fourth model of the “Lumen” series that A. Lange & Söhne launched in 2010 with the Zeitwerk “Luminous”. The Grand Lange 1 Lumen and the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen followed at the end of 2012 and in 2016, respectively.
Lange’s semitransparent dial coating was patented in 2013. A special coating on the semi-transparent sapphire-crystal dial filters out most of the visible light, but not that part of the UV spectrum which is needed to charge the luminous pigments with light energy. The ingenious solution was patented in 2013. To completely activate the luminous substance, it takes about 90 minutes of direct sunlight or blue-white artificial light. The luminous compound can be charged any number of times.
The sapphire-crystal caseback exposes the beautifully-finished 454-part manually wound calibre L951.7 whose Lange’s proprietary cam-poised balance wheel, paired with a freely oscillating Lange hairspring, beats at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hertz). In combination with the 300-marker minute scale, this allows time measurements with a resolution of one-fifth of a second.
Limited to 200 pieces, the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down Lumen (ref. 405.034) comes in a 41 mm x 13.4 mm platinum case matched to a black alligator leather strap with a platinum prong buckle. The price is Euro 95,000. alange-soehne.com
With a classic column-wheel configuration, a precisely jumping minute counter, a flyback function and the iconic Lange outsize date, the Datograph was the manufactory’s first proprietary chronograph calibre. Launched in 1999, it was soon recognized by most experts as one of the best chronograph watches ever designed. Its hand-wound movement is a true horological masterpiece.
With the new Datograph Up/Down Lumen, a limited edition of just 200 pieces, the chronograph function can be used even in darkness, thanks to a semi-transparent dial and luminous displays.
The dial impresses for it balance and respect of the ideal proportions, with the characteristic outsize-date display in the framed double aperture marking the tip of an equilateral triangle. Its baseline is defined by the two subsidiary dials for the seconds and the jumping minute counter.
The flyback function makes it possible to start consecutive measurements of event durations with a single push of the button at 4 o’clock instead of having to stop, reset and start, as for standard chronographs.
The Datograph Up/Down Lumen also indicates how much of the 60-hour power reserve remains available thanks to a streamlined indicator at 6 o’clock.
A luminous compound causes all displays to glow in the darkness with a distinctive green hue that is comfortable for the human eye. The hour and minute hands are filled with the luminous material while the chronograph sweep seconds hand is fully coated with the compound. The seconds hand and minute counter in blued steel revolve above subsidiary dials that are luminous in the dark. The circumferential dial ring with the minute scale that is subdivided into fifth-of-a-second graduations, the concentric tachometer scale and the power-reserve arrow applique also glow in green.
Even more stunning is the luminous outsize date, whose mechanism is clearly visible through the semi-transparent dial. You can see the luminous tens cross and the black printed units disc made of transparent glass which rotates above a luminous background. Both elements recharge during the day, ready to glow when darkening.
Lange’s semitransparent dial coating was patented in 2013. A special coating on the semi-transparent sapphire-crystal dial filters out most of the visible light, but not that part of the UV spectrum which is needed to charge the luminous pigments with light energy. The ingenious solution was patented in 2013. To completely activate the luminous substance, it takes about 90 minutes of direct sunlight or blue-white artificial light. The luminous compound can be charged any number of times.
The sapphire-crystal caseback exposes the beautifully-finished 454-part manually wound calibre L951.7 whose Lange’s proprietary cam-poised balance wheel, paired with a freely oscillating Lange hairspring, beats at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hertz). In combination with the 300-marker minute scale, this allows time measurements with a resolution of one-fifth of a second.
Fantastic watch but I am not in love with that greenish glow. The other Lumen models looked more cutting edge.
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