A. Lange & Söhne is not only one of the most respected German watch brands, but one of the most respected watch brands, period. Their movement finishing sets the standard for the industry. Their Datograph line of chronographs is particularly beloved by luxury watch enthusiasts, and they’ve released two new lovely Datograph variants at Watches and Wonders 2024. They’re pretty much both just new dial options (plus a slightly tweaked movement in the Perpetual), but they’re still worth taking a look at. Here’s everything you need to know about these two Lange 2024 releases.
What is a Datograph?
All A. Lange & Söhne Datograph models are two-register flyback chronographs with big dates and a case diameter between 39mm-43.2mm. To many watch collectors they are among the best chronographs out there, and they’ve been made with a variety of complications. The Datograph Up/Down has a relatively clean dial featuring a power reserve indicator in the middle of the dial.
At the top end of the spectrum is the somewhat self-explanatory Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, launched in 2016. The Lange 2024 lineup includes a new dial option for each: a blue dial for the Up/Down, and a translucent “Lumen” dial for the Perpetual Tourbillon. This new Perpetual Tourbillon model also gets a slightly updated movement; the L952.4 drops the power reserve indicator that the outgoing L952.2 had. Here’s all the specs.
Lange 2024 Releases: Specs
Model | Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold “Lumen” | Datograph Up/Down |
Reference | 740.055FE | 405.028 |
Case Material | 18k Honeygold® | 18k white gold |
Case Diameter | 41.5mm | 41mm |
Case Thickness | 14.6mm | 13.1mm |
Water Resistance | 30m | 30m |
Dial | Translucent sapphire “Lumen” dial | Blue dial made from .925 silver |
Movement | L952.4 (Manual-wind, 5 beats per second,) | L951.6 (Manual-wind, 5 beats per second) |
Power Reserve | 50 hours | 60 hours |
Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, perpetual calendar with big date, day, moonphase, day-night indicator, flyback chronograph | Hours, minutes, small seconds, big date, power reserve indicator, flyback chronograph |
Bracelet/Strap | Brown alligator strap | Blue alligator strap |
Limited Edition | 50 pieces | 125 pieces |
MSRP (Apr. 2024) | $620,000 | $131,000 |
What is Honeygold?
Honeygold is a proprietary 18k gold alloy that includes copper, zinc, and supposedly a high amount of palladium. It’s essentially a soft, pale shade of yellow; there’s a reason they put “honey” in the name. A. Lange & Söhne has claimed that it’s almost twice as hard as typical 18k gold.
What is a “Lumen” Dial?
A. Lange & Söhne “Lumen” models have translucent sapphire crystal dials and fully lumed subdials and date wheels. The coating on the sapphire dial actually allows UV rays through, while blocking enough visible light to create a contrast between the numbers you’re supposed to see (i.e. the current date) and the numbers you’re not. This is the sixth “Lumen” model. When the first one came out in 2010, it was called “Luminous” instead. Here’s a timeline:
A. Lange & Söhne “Lumen” Timeline
- 2010 – Zeitwerk “Luminous”
- 2013 – Grand Lange 1 “Lumen”
- 2016 – Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “Lumen”
- 2018 – Datograph Up/Down “Lumen”
- 2021 – Zeitwerk Honeygold “Lumen”
- 2024 – Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold “Lumen”
Although A. Lange & Söhne is owned by Richemont (the conglomerate who owns Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Panerai among others) they have maintained a low production volume, estimated to be around 5,000 watches per year. Despite their lofty price tags, I have no doubt all 175 of these Lange 2024 Datographs will get sold.