A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 101.039 is a brilliant proposition from one of the most important contemporary manufactories of high watchmaking. The 18-carat white gold case, the bright argenté dial and the characteristic asymmetric display create an extremely elegant and immediately recognizable configuration.
Lange 1 is one of the models that best defines contemporary A. Lange & Söhne. The collection was presented in 1994, while reference 101.039 appeared in the offer in 2009. In turn, in 2015 it was withdrawn with the introduction of the next generation Lange 1.
The case has a classic 38.5 mm diameter and 10 mm thickness. It is made entirely of 18-carat white gold. Thanks to these proportions, the watch looks very elegant and at the same time maintains an appropriate presence on the wrist.
The dial is especially beautiful. Lange describes its color as argenté, while the base itself is made of solid silver. Combined with white gold, it creates an extremely calm, monochromatic configuration, the character of which is best visible only up close.
The dial has an asymmetrical arrangement typical of Lange 1. The hours and minutes are on the left, the small seconds below, while the famous large date window and the AUF/AB power reserve display are on the right.
Despite the asymmetry, everything remains perfectly ordered. It is this composition that makes Lange 1 difficult to confuse with any other watch.
Reference 101.039 is also distinguished by its luminescent elements. The rhodium-plated gold hands and applications have luminous material, which gives this very classic configuration a subtly more contemporary character.
Inside is the in-house caliber L901.0 with manual winding. This is one of the most recognizable mechanisms of the first generation of Lange 1. The design uses a double spring drum and offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve.
The caliber consists of 365 parts and has 53 stones. In addition, it uses nine screw-on gold chatons and the operating frequency is 21,600 oscillations per hour, i.e. 3 Hz.
Through the sapphire case back you can admire one of the most beautiful mechanisms in this class. The distinctive 3/4 plate made of uncoated German silver, the hand-engraved balance bridge and gold bezels show the level of finish typical of A. Lange & Söhne.
In my opinion, the combination of white gold with a bright argenté dial is one of the most elegant configurations of the first generation Lange 1. From a distance, the watch remains very discreet. Only when you take a closer look does it show how much is going on in the details.
Furthermore, reference 101.039 is no longer in the current collection. Today it can only be found on the secondary market, which further increases its attractiveness for lovers of earlier Lange designs.
The offered copy has a set of original boxes and documents from 2015.
What is particularly interesting is that the watch comes from Polish distribution.
Perfect condition. Only minimal traces of use are visible.
