The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar seamlessly integrates two of the most intricate complications in watchmaking with symmetry and classic elegance. It has undergone several facelifts since its introduction in 2013, including the champlevé enamel Handwerkskunst of 2017. Now, the brand has introduced the latest incarnation of the model that features a dial in “salmon” – officially known as “pink gold” – while retaining the traditionally constructed calibre in a limited edition of only 100 pieces.

Initial thoughts

Envisioning further improvements for the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is probably challenging due to its complexity and quality. The Handwerkskunst edition did it with lots of elaborate decoration.

Now comes a salmon dial, something a little unexpected, given the lack of colour across the rest of the 1815 family, which sticks fairly rigidly to silvered dials, no matter the case metal. Perhaps the new dial colour is to add a bit more appeal to an otherwise under-appreciated (and slow-selling) complication. 

Perhaps the only downside to this release is that it is just a dial change with no substantial changes to note. But the intrinsic quality of the watch itself in terms of finishing, construction, and complexity is already very, very high. So adding a new shade to the otherwise conservative 1815 line up is never a bad thing, especially when done in this limited fashion.

New colourway, but the same calibre

The dial is identical to the standard model with four sub-dials that evoke the charm of Lange pocket watches. It’s executed in a salmon shade that is officially labelled “18k pink gold”, signalling the colour comes from the metal itself and not a coating.

Salmon aside, the rest of the design remains unchanged besides the shift in colour for the 15, 30, and 45 minute numerals that go from red to blue, a colour that feels extremely natural given the tonal similarity to the hands. The hour, minute, and rattrapante hands are in blued steel, while all the others are rhodium plated.

It is housed in 18k white gold and maintains the same case dimensions as the regular models, measuring 41.9 mm in diameter and 14.7 mm high.

The L101.1

The watch features the L101.1 offering a 42-hour power reserve. It combines a perpetual calendar that does not require a reset until 2100 and a split-seconds mechanism with two separate column-wheels for the chronograph and rattrapante functions.

The movement is superbly finished and is decorated in the usual Lange style, particularly in the balance cock and chronograph’s bridges.

Key facts and price

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar
Ref. 421.056FE

Diameter: 41.9 mm
Height: 14.7 mm
Material: 18k white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: L101.1
Functions: Hour, minutes, seconds, rattrapante chronograph and perpetual calendar with date, day of week, month, moon phase and leap year
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hours (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Alligator strap with deployant buckle

Limited edition: 100 pieces
Availability: At A. Lange & Söhne boutiques and retailers
Price:US$319,000

For more, visit alange-soehne.com.

Correction July 20, 2023: The price is US$319,000, and not US$240,000 as indicated in an earlier version of the article.