LIVING HERITAGE
This 25-piece limited edition, center staged at the Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance stands out, amongst other things, through its dial’s sensational finish.
As its Handwerkskunst name suggests, A. Lange & Söhne showcases the very essence of fine watchmaking, exemplary manual know-how which plays a key role in the stylistics and personality of a timepiece. The 25th anniversary of the first-ever chronograph launched by the Saxony-based manufacture since it was revived provides yet another opportunity to delight in its watchmakers’ expertise. The Datograph Handwerkskunst‘s rhodium-plated black dial, set off with gray counters, dazzles with its one-of-a-kind frosted finish obtained using a tremblage engraving technique. The craftsperson, using only a lining burin with a sharp-toothed cutting edge, manufactured specifically for the task, shows that there is but a fine line between their gestures and those of an artist.
How on Earth can you not be captivated by the effect produced… which is heightened even more by the warm hues of the yellow gold used to sculpt the 41 mm-diameter case, the hands and the tachymetric scale adorning the flange.
Each of the 426 components which make up the manual-winding L951.8 caliber are infused with outstanding, hand-crafted decorations. Some of these parts are embellished with ever-so delicate floral patterns. And, together, they all breathe life into an awe-inspiring kinetic sculpture, unveiled through the sapphire-crystal caseback. It goes without saying, performance is high on the agenda here. The movement delivers a power reserve of 60 hours. During this lapse, the chronograph, equipped with a flyback function, offers wonderfully-accurate time measurements thanks to the jumping minute counter. What’s more, the energy liberated also ensures the signature large date display ticks over. Here, mechanical sophistication is geared to uncompromising visual harmony.
