First introduced in 2014 as A. Lange & Söhne’s “entry-level” tourbillon (if there is such a thing for the German brand), the 1815 Tourbillon now returns as a limited edition in a striking, but familiar, guise.

The new 1815 Tourbillon features a glossy black enamel dial – similar to that found on this year’s Minute Repeater Perpetual – and the same L102.1 movement found in the original version. Like the much pricier Minute Repeater Perpetual, the new tourbillon is not a Handwerkskunst edition, but still boasts a hand-enamelled dial made in-house.

Initial thoughts

As the base model tourbillon in Lange’s catalogue, the 1815 Tourbillon is less elaborate than the brand’s other tourbillon offerings. But it is nonetheless impressive as the tourbillon incorporates both a hacking and zero-reset mechanism. At most other brands, such a movement would be a top-of-the line offering.

That said, the earlier versions were a bit plain. Even the limited edition with a white enamel dial was a little mundane. The Handwerkskunst version was outstanding, but it was just 30 pieces.

The new 1815 Tourbillon isn’t extravagantly different; it is essentially a cosmetic update. But it makes all the difference. The glossy black dial is tremendously more appealing than the white enamel dial from before, especially since it is achieved with the champleve technique, eliminating the need for printed numerals.

That said, it feels a little soon after the Minute Repeater Perpetual that has a similar, but more complex, dial. It feels a lot for a short period of time, but the reality is fortunately different. With each limited to 50 produced over several years, neither of the black enamel dial models will be common. The twin debuts with black enamel dials is probably Lange just flexing its in-house enamel workshop that has taken several years to reach optimal capacity.

The 1815 Tourbillon with a black enamel dial will retail for about €200,000, equivalent to US$240,000, which is steep-ish but not exorbitant as such things go. But it might not be possible to consider this in isolation.

I am certain many owners of the Minute Repeater Perpetual will buy the new tourbillon as well; together they will cost a cool US$1 million.

The Minute Repeater Perpetual (left), and 1815 Tourbillon

Piano black

Lange has only made a handful of models with a black enamel dial. Like earlier such models, the dial of the new 1815 Tourbillon is also made in-house. The dial starts out as a white gold disc that is engraved, then painted with enamel, fired in an oven, and finally polished to a lustrous shine.

While the material is different, the dial design is classic 1815 with large Arabic numerals and a railway minute track. Majority of the dial is monochromatic, save for the aperture at six o’clock that reveals the tourbillon. Notably, the edges of the aperture are chamfered by hand – very carefully due to the fragile nature of enamel.

The tourbillon is identical to that found in earlier versions of the model. Although the 1815 Tourbillon is the simplest tourbillon made by Lange, the tourbillon regulator is anything but.

The carriage is secured by a black polished steel bridge with a V-shaped profile that requires lots of manual file work to achieve, while the arms of the cage are similarly black polished and chamfered. And the endstone for its lower pivot is a diamond, just like in 19th century pocket watches.

Despite its traditional looks, the tourbillon is no ordinary tourbillon. The L102.1 is one of the few Lange tourbillon calibres equipped with the brand’s patented hacking, zero-reset mechanism.

When the crown is pulled to set the time, a steel lever touches the balance wheel, stopping the tourbillon. Simultaneously, another lever advances a heart cam on the seconds hand axis, sending the seconds hand to the 12 o’clock position where it sits stationary until the crown is pushed back in.

The hacking lever for the balance wheel

The rest of the movement is classic Lange. The view from the back reveals the signature three-quarter plate in ribbed German silver, along with a hand-engraved cock for the tourbillon.

Key facts and price

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon with black enamel dial
Ref. 730.094F

Diameter: 39.5 mm
Height: 11.3 mm
Material: Platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: L102.1
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and tourbillon
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Winding: Hand wind
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Alligator with matching folding clasp

Limited edition: 50 pieces
Availability: At A. Lange & Söhne boutiques only
Price: Approximately US$240,000

For more, visit alange-soehne.com.