Meeting My Grail: The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph

Working at Fratello has its perks. One of them is that, on rare occasions, we get access to our absolute grail watches. I had such an experience just a few months ago when I spent time with a Rolex Submariner ref. 5508. Today, I get yet another such opportunity. It’s my pleasure to go hands-on with the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph ref. 414.028.

If you are looking for a highly critical review full of clever consumer advice…look elsewhere. I can already give away that the 1815 lives up to all my expectations, cementing itself firmly at the top of my list of dream watches. This, then, is more of an ode to the 1815 Chronograph. If you’re up for that, let’s dive in!

Some historical context for the 1815 Chronograph

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph traces its roots back to the 1999 introduction of the Datograph. Its caliber L951.1 combined a big date spread over two apertures with a flyback chronograph complication. The complications were uniquely laid out in a triangle, with the date at 12 and the two chronograph registers just below the dial’s center.

A. Lange & Sohne Datograph ref. 403.035 — Image: Sotheby’s

Then, in 2004, Lange set out to make a simpler version without the big date. Caliber L951.1 was adapted to create caliber L951.0. However, the lower placement of the sub-dials remained. A. Lange & Söhne leaned into the odd aesthetic with a dial that consisted of an ultra-wide pulsation track and tiny chronograph sub-dials. The brand name sat at 12 on the banked pulsation track, and the resulting dial looked quirky but characterful.

Lange cleaned up the dial for a second-generation model in 2010. The pulsation track was removed entirely, and the sub-dials grew to more sensible proportions. The curved brand name moved into the lowered central dial portion. Then, 2015 saw the introduction of the third generation. The large sub-dials remained, but the banked pulsation scale made a glorious return. This third generation struck the perfect balance between the first’s character and the second’s balance. The watch I have today is of this third generation.

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph specifications

Technically, the 1815 Chronograph did not change much over the years. Most notably, Lange upped caliber L951.0’s power reserve from 36 to 60 hours and added a free-sprung balance wheel with an in-house spring. The flyback chronograph features a horizontal clutch and a column wheel. Famously, the caliber showcases nine finishing techniques. Lange fashions the plates and bridges out of German silver, resulting in a warm, champagne-like sheen.

This movement is, in a word, gorgeous. The perlage and striping are a step above any other brand’s, as is the anglage on the plates. Additionally, the balance bridge features hand engraving, and the rubies all over are set in gold chatons. The screws and several smaller parts are beautifully black-polished.

You can have your pick of a white gold or pink gold case. Both versions come with either a black or a silver dial. As you see, I have spent time with the black-dial variant in white gold. All versions measure 39.5mm across by 11mm thick, with the lug-to-lug coming in at around 48mm. Every variant also comes on an alligator strap with a matching gold pin buckle.

Wearing the 1815 Chronograph

Now, on to the dreaded moment of first handling the 1815 Chronograph. I had seen several before this experience but never handled one, let alone tried one on. I don’t know about you, but I always dread that moment when a watch sits so high on my grail list. It would not be the first to fall from grace due to a poor fit on my left forearm.

I decided to make it quick, like ripping off a Band-Aid. I tore the protective plastic off the case and slung the watch onto my wrist. The initial impression was slightly ambiguous. The case sat perfectly, but the lugs were a tad more prominent than I envisioned. My eyes had to adjust for a second. I expected a more classical, smaller fit. Instead, the lugs give the watch a squat stance. It looks as if it assertively lays claim to my wrist.

Once my eyes had adjusted to this unexpected fit, it quickly grew on me. The perfect proportions stand out. People often speak of Lange’s perfect finishing, but I see similar quality in its design. Everything is so well considered and balanced. Perfection is the result of details done right. I see so many great details here. You can see if a watch was drawn with love and attention, which are undoubtedly present here. Whether you like or dislike the result, you cannot call it lazy or unconsidered.

A closer look at the dial

The same applies to the dial, which marries the classic and the novel. You might know that I am a huge proponent of evolved vintage design, and that is what we get here. It certainly leans on historic chronographs but does not try to emulate them. Instead, this 1815 Chronograph offers Lange’s unique reinterpretation. This instantly puts it in the canon of great historic chronographs.

I was always fond of A. Lange & Söhne’s dial layouts and typography. I briefly chatted with my friend and typographer Samuel Baker about the 1815 Chronograph. He pointed out that we are dealing with a tailor-made typeface (are you reading along, Patek?). Although extremely well done, the dial does feature some oddities, primarily in the pulsation scale. Samuel pointed my attention toward the numerals 100–200 and how they are condensed. The jump from 90 to 100 is indeed a bit dramatic, and we see some warping and distortion on the three-digit numerals.

The fact that we resort to such nitpicking reveals the exalted level at which the 1815 Chronograph flies. I could see how the chopped-off numerals might bother some, but I am not one of them. Little details, like the distinct minute track, keep the view interesting. I especially like the little dots, but perhaps that’s because they remind me of the dot inlays on a guitar fretboard. Beyond personal associations, they add a tiny hint of lebensfreude to an otherwise stark design.

Closing thoughts on the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph

I think it is clear that the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph remains an absolute grail watch for me. The experience of wearing it after years of distant admiration was jarring. As always, a watch just looks and feels different on the wrist than in pictures or a boutique window.

Here’s the thing about the 1815 Chronograph: I projected onto it my experience with vintage chronographs and modern competing watches from elevated houses like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Breguet. The 1815, however, does not conform to the template set by those watches. It has a truly unique and rather commanding presence. As my mind raced over common questions, such as, “Should it be a millimeter or two smaller?” I realized it wasn’t the watch that had to adapt; it was me. I simply needed a few moments to take in what Lange had done exactly. Once I did, I was sold.

I know many people prefer the big daddy, the Datograph. To me, this dressed-down version is the one to have. After about an hour on the wrist, I asked myself, “If I run now, will they chase me?” I figured they would, so I decided to cherish the time we had together and hand the watch back in. This one will pop up in my dreams occasionally, I fear…

What do you think of the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph? Let us know in the comments below!