What can we say about the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph that hasn’t already been said? It’s certainly one of the finest chronographs of its time, but if you add a perpetual calendar to the package, what do you receive back? A superb, exclusive, technical and desirable timepiece. The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual is pure horological sweetness and, for the 2015 edition introduced at SIHH, the German manufacture decided to slightly update the watch by adding a new color and a new material. Well… not exactly new.
Let us go back to the very beginning of SIHH 2015. We at Monochrome Watches previously presented the Datograph Up/Down in its rose-gold edition, which was a reissue of an older watch. Indeed, the first execution of the Datograph (not the Up/Down) was already available in this rose gold/black dial combination. Well, A. Lange & Söhne is now using the exact same recipe for the Datograph Perpetual. The combination of a white gold case and a medium gray dial already existed in the very first edition of the Datograph Perpetual, between 2008 and 2011.
Since its debut, the Datograph Perpetual has been slightly updated. It now comes without Roman numerals, instead featuring only baton hour markers, just like the 18K rose gold/white dial edition. The case, however, remains exactly the same, with a 41-mm diameter just like that of the Datograph Up/Down. The main evolution is the use of white metal for the case and medium grey for the dial, a colder and (perhaps) sportier scheme compared with the classical rose gold/white dial version. This combination completely changes the look of the Datograph Perpetual and creates a totally new attitude. The color of the dial is extremely pleasant, changing from a light grey to a deep anthracite, depending on the lighting. Of course, it is more neutral than the rose gold edition, but it never loses its charm. For us, it even gains a bit of sex appeal.
Absolutely stunning timepiece. The color combination of the case and the dial work perfectly together. In the photos it almost looks a light brown to me. I agree with the reviewer though, the dial within the subdial is a bit busy and clutters the face a bit. Also the case is not overwhelming at 41mm. (I prefer a somewhat smaller case – 36 to 40mm but obviously you need the real estate to make room for the functions). Way out of my price range at around 135,000 dollars. For those who have that kind of disposable income, enjoy this piece.