Felix Scholz
The story in a second:You've seen yellow, red and white gold but have you ever seen honey gold?Looking at Lange's latest limited edition, you'd be forgiven at first glance for thinking it's a regular white gold 1815 their clean-cut manual winding piece. But look again, and it seems to have taken on a yellow tint. No, you’re eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. This is a chameleon of a watch.The 40mm case is made from a unique 18k alloy called honey gold, characterised by its warm tones, hovering between yellow and rose gold. Used within the watch world solely by A. Lange & S?hne, it's been enlisted on this occasion to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of F.A. Lange, the brand's founder. Mathematicians among you will have noted that 2015 minus 200 equals 1815 the year for which this collection is named – and to celebrate, Lange are releasing a range of special edition 1815s, including this boutique-only chronograph. All are beautiful, but this seemingly straightforward interpretation is perhaps the most interesting of the lot.Lange have only used honey gold once before, also in a limited edition, as it's hard to work with and far more expensive than regular gold. The alloy also contains a dash of silicone, which gives it a shine and hardness more typical of platinum, adding up to a material that's hard to accurately capture in photos. We strongly recommend seeing it in the metal.Aside from the fascinating case, the other differentiating feature of this model is the dial. While the layout and text is exactly the same, Lange have used a solid silver argente-graine dial, reminiscent of those often seen on early marine chronometres. The caseback shows the L051.1 movement, dominated by the large, well-finished three quarter plate. The hand-engraved balance cock with swan neck regulator is also on display, clearly showcasing A. Lange & S?hne’s capabilities in the finishing department.The exclusivity of the material combined with the limited run makes the 1815 honey gold a very sweet watch, and one that will be in demand.1815 A. Lange & S?hne 1815 200th Anniversary F.A. Lange in honey gold Australian availability and pricingThe 1815 honey gold is limited to 200 pieces and has a price of $42,000.
16.11.15