Among the finest chronograph wristwatches made in the modern era, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 chronograph was introduced in 2004 as a slimmer, less complicated alternative to the seminal Datograph, the German's brand first manual-winding chronograph. The design of the 1815 line channels the design aesthetics of the classicaly-styled pocketwatches produced in Glashütte, the Saxon town known as the cradle of German watchmaking. The design is characterised by traditional style elements: three-quarter plates for the movements; blued hands, Arabic numerals and the railway-track minute scale on the dial.

The 1815 chronograph was produced in three series – the present example is from the second generation produced from 2010 onwards. The second iteration of the 1815 chronograph, notably, omits the pulsometer scale seen on the first and third generation models. The second generation dials have a cleaner, more minimalist look and is a purist’s delight.

Lange only produced the second generation models in white gold (Ref. 402.026) and pink gold (Ref. 402.032). These watches also featured an updated movement, the Cal. L951.5, a gorgeous manual-winding column wheel chronograph with an increased power reserve (60 hours). Like all Lange movements, the Cal. L951.5 features an array of high-end finishing techniques and is visible thanks to the sapphire crystal caseback.