A. Lange & Söhne: 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst

“ Handwerkskunst ”, literally “ manual art ”, is the name of the new limited edition of the A.Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar, example of great artisanal virtuosity. For the sixth time the German brand gives this attribute to one of its timepieces, attribute that stands for the particularly artistic decoration of the movement, dial and case.

The dial and the hinged cuvette of the model consist of blue enamelled white gold with elaborate relief engravings. Solid white gold is the substrate for the deep-blue enamel beneath which the sculpted contours of the relief- engraved stars appear to be a visual extension of the moon-phase display. The Arabic numerals are flush with the enamel and harmonise with the rhodiumed white-gold hands of the time and calendar indications as well as of the power-reserve indicator. The colour of the enamel is echoed by the lunar disc as well as the blued-steel minute counter hand. These elements contrast exquisitely with the four recessed sub-dials in argenté-coloured white gold. The chronograph hand offers a distinctive colour accent: it is crafted from gold-plated steel. The dial is framed by an argenté-coloured flange ring with a traditional railway-track minute scale.

The moon theme recurs on the hinged cuvette that protects the sapphire-crystal caseback. It depicts the goddess Luna, the ancient mythological personification of the moon, executed in relief and tremblage engraving. The medallion shows her with her characteristic attributes: a billowing veil, a crescent moon diadem and a torch with which she lights up the darkness.

Artistic decorations of the 631-part manufacture calibre L101.1 reflect the technically ambitious multiple-complication timepiece. The German-silver train bridge is finished with a granular texture often found in the movements of historic pocket watches. Relief and tremblage engravings on the operating-lever, cover and chronograph bridges as well as on the rattrapante and balance cocks reflect the stellar motif of the dial.

The 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst has been produced in 20 pieces, each one with an edition engraving. The timepiece comes in a 41.9 mm white-gold case. It is worn on a blue-grey alligator leather strap secured with a white-gold deployant buckle (€.297.300).