Description
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Reference 235.032 stands as a testament to the pinnacle of German watchmaking excellence, representing decades of horological mastery and innovation from the renowned Glashütte manufacturer.
Design and Aesthetics
The timepiece features an exquisitely proportioned 38.5mm white gold case, with a height of 8.8mm, offering perfect balance on the wrist. The case architecture showcases:
- Polished bezel with subtle stepped design
- Brushed case band with mirror-polished edges
- Elegantly curved lugs with chamfered edges
- Solid white gold caseback secured by six screws
The argenté-colored dial exemplifies classical watchmaking traditions with:
- Railway-track minute scale (chemin de fer) in black
- Arabic numerals in black with proprietary font design
- Blued steel hands crafted in-house
- Recessed small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock
- Sophisticated grainage finish on the main dial
Movement: L051.1 Caliber
The manually wound Lange caliber L051.1 represents the epitome of traditional German watchmaking:
Technical Specifications
- Diameter: 30.6mm
- Height: 4.8mm
- Number of parts: 188
- Jewel count: 21 rubies
- Power reserve: 55 hours
- Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
Movement Features
- Three-quarter plate in untreated German silver
- Hand-engraved balance cock with floral pattern
- Gold chatons secured by three blued screws
- Whiplash precision index adjuster
- Flat hairspring manufactured in-house
- Traditional screw balance
Finishing Techniques
Every component receives meticulous attention to detail:
- Glashütte ribbing on the three-quarter plate
- Perlage on the base plate
- Hand-polished anglage on all bridges and plates
- Straight graining on steel components
- Black polished steel parts (including screws)
- Sunburst finishing on wheels
Strap and Buckle
The watch comes equipped with:
- Hand-stitched alligator leather strap in black
- 18k white gold prong buckle with brushed finish
- Quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes
Technical Features
Additional specifications include:
- Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
- Sapphire crystal on both sides with anti-reflective coating
- Stop-seconds mechanism for precise time setting
- Zero-reset function for enhanced accuracy
Heritage and Collection Context
The 1815 collection, named after Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s birth year, represents:
- Traditional Saxon watchmaking principles
- Historical connection to pocket watch designs
- Position as one of the manufacture’s core collections
- Continuation of over 175 years of watchmaking excellence
Market Position and Value
As a high-end luxury timepiece, the 1815 ref. 235.032 represents:
- Limited annual production numbers
- Strong investment potential
- Positioning in the ultra-luxury watch segment
- Competition with other prestigious manufacturers like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin
Care and Maintenance
To maintain optimal performance:
- Recommended service interval: 3-5 years
- Manual winding recommended at the same time daily
- Storage in a watch winder is not necessary due to manual movement
- Professional cleaning and moisture resistance testing recommended annually
This exquisite timepiece represents the perfect synthesis of traditional watchmaking values, technical excellence, and contemporary refinement, making it a distinguished choice for the most discerning watch collectors and connoisseurs.
