A. Lange & Söhne Introduces New Triple Split and 1815 UP/DOWN Variants

An Exceptional Timepiece in a New Color Combination

Since its debut in 2018, the Triple Split has played in a league of its own. It remains the world’s only split-seconds chronograph capable of measuring intermediate, comparative and overall times over a period of up to 12 hours. Following the original white-gold model with a gray dial and the 2021 version in pink gold with a blue dial, A. Lange & Söhne now presents a third iteration, again limited to 100 pieces, with a striking new color combination. Unveiled at this year’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, the new edition features a 43.2mm platinum case paired with a rhodié-colored dial. Gray subdials provide a subtle contrast, while blued rattrapante hands and red accents add further definition to the highly technical display.

Built for Short Splits and Long Intervals

Where a conventional split-seconds chronograph is generally used to record intermediate times within a single minute, the Triple Split adds two additional pairs of rattrapante hands for measuring minutes and hours. In the passive mode, the three blued rattrapante hands are superposed with the respective rhodiumed chronograph hands. As soon as the measurement is started by actuating the pusher at 2 o’clock, they all begin to run simultaneously and synchronously until the rattrapante pusher at 10 o’clock is pressed to freeze an intermediate time. Then, the three blued rattrapante hands stop to display the intermediate time while the chronograph hands continue to run and measure the time. A second actuation of the rattrapante pusher causes the rattrapante hands to catch up with the chronograph hands and continue to run synchronously with them. The Triple Split also incorporates a flyback function. It allows stopping an ongoing time measurement with only a single actuation of the pusher at 4 o’clock, resetting all currently active chronograph and rattrapante hands to zero, and instantly restarting a new measurement by releasing the pusher.

Technical Complexity, Clearly Arranged

The dial follows a carefully balanced hierarchy. The two central chronograph hands for the seconds occupy the largest display area. At 4 o’clock, a subdial indicates the precisely jumping minute counters, which advance by one increment after each full minute. The slightly smaller hour counter sits at 12 o’clock, opposite the Lange-typical UP/DOWN power-reserve indication at 6 o’clock. The latter occupies the smallest display segment and indicates how much of the watch’s maximum 55-hour power reserve remains. The small seconds are positioned at 8 o’clock, while the peripheral tachymeter scale allows average speeds over a distance of 1,000 meters to be determined. 

In the new edition, the characteristic design makes its debut against a rhodié-colored background. The gray auxiliary dials, the luminous hour and minute hands, the blued rattrapante hands alongside red accents create a harmonious interplay of contrast, functionality and technical aesthetics.

A Mechanical Masterpiece with Clever Mechanisms

Powering the Triple Split is the hand-wound Manufacture Calibre L132.1, a stunning example of A. Lange & Söhne’s expertise in the design of complex chronograph movements. Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, it consists of 567 individual components. At its heart is the Triple Split mechanism, which coordinates the six chronograph hands as they start, stop, catch up and reset. The complex interaction of switching wheels, levers, springs, clutches and jumper mechanisms demands an exceptionally precise level of adjustment.

Both stopping the rattrapante hands and initiating the minute-counter switching normally generate additional friction within the movement. The disengagement mechanism developed by A. Lange & Söhne ensures that sufficient power can be continuously delivered to the oscillation system nevertheless. Patented in 2005, the intelligent device disengages the friction-intensive processes on the seconds arbor as well as on the minute counter arbor and thus assures precise rate stability. Because it rotates slower and hence produces substantially less friction, the hour counter arbor does not need such a mechanism.

The Beauty of Technical Complexity 

The sapphire-crystal case back offers an unobstructed view of the chronograph’s remarkable mechanical complexity and architectural depth, finished throughout in the unmistakable Lange tradition. Its myriad of parts come together as a precisely orchestrated whole. The upper surfaces of the levers, springs and rockers feature straight graining, while their edges are meticulously beveled. Particularly demanding is the hand-polishing of the sharply angled interior corners. Five screwed gold chatons punctuate the untreated German silver bridges, which are decorated with Glashütte ribbing, while the hand-engraved balance cock provides a final signature of Lange craftsmanship. Together, these details demonstrate a level of finishing that reflects the technical sophistication of the movement.

The new Triple Split is paired with a dark brown alligator-leather strap and a platinum pin buckle. It is priced at approximately €210,000, or about $244,000.  

1815 UP/DOWN

A Contemporary Expression of Traditional Watchmaking

A. Lange & Söhne is also adding two new members to the 1815 UP/DOWN line-up Limited to 300 pieces each, the new variants feature compact 37.5mm cases in 18-karat pink or white gold and deep-blue dials. The watches take their name from the traditional power-reserve indication inspired by historical Lange pocket watches. The AB (DOWN) marker represents the unwound movement, whereas AUF (UP) indicates the fully wound movement which provides a maximum power reserve of 72 hours. Rather than relying on an additional module, the power-reserve mechanism is integrated directly into the movement by means of a specially designed planetary gear system. This design allows the function to occupy a prominent position on the dial without compromising the compact architecture of the movement.

Classic Pocket-Watch Design in an Elegant Color Scheme

The railroad-style minute track, well-proportioned Arabic numerals and recessed central section of the dial draw directly on historic Lange pocket watches. In the two new variants, these traditional elements are presented in a contemporary  dark blue colorway. Argenté sub dials for the UP/DOWN indication and small seconds stand out against the blue background, each paired with blued hands. The lance-shaped hour and minute hands are matched to the respective case metal. A narrow, subtly stepped bezel reinforces the understated elegance of the 1815 UP/DOWN. The collection’s name refers to Ferdinand Adolph Lange, born in 1815 and founder of the Glashütte watchmaking industry, whose vision was to create pocket watches combining precision, functionality and elegance.

Measuring just 37.5mm in diameter and 8.7mm in height, the new models have balanced proportions that make them particularly well suited to the role of an elegant dress watch. A blue alligator-leather strap completes the white-gold version, while the pink-gold model comes on a reddish-brown strap.

Traditional Craftsmanship at Its Finest

Like all A. Lange & Söhne timepieces, the new 1815 AUF/AB variants feature a sapphire-crystal caseback, offering a view of the meticulously finished mechanics of the hand-wound caliber L051.2. Here, too, numerous traditional elements of Lange watchmaking art can be found, including the classic three-quarter plate in untreated German silver, the visibly integrated winding wheels embellished with solarization as well as the seven gold chatons secured by blued screws. Beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, a traditional screw balance, a free-sprung balance system and a proprietary Lange balance spring contribute to precise rate performance.

Both new 1815 AUF/AB models are priced at approximately €45,000 or $52,260.