A. Lange and Söhne presented the limited edition of the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds at SIHH 2016. We didn’t wait too long and we reviewed it with in-depth hands-on analysis and live photography. The timepiece stands out with top-notch executed finishes, a brilliantly designed movement featuring jumping seconds with constant force escapement and zero-reset. This year, they made the watch available in 18-carat pink gold.
A. Lange und Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds
There is not much to say about the technical piece than the fact that is manufactured just as any other of Lange’s pure breed – flawless. The 39.9 mm case is manufactured in pink gold, following the lines and characteristics of the previous piece. The middle case has a satin brush finish. In contrast, the bezel presents a mirror-like polish.
An A. Lange und Söhne’s massive silver dial has a regulator layout with a clean and clear design and good legibility. The dial’s intersection is done in such manner that the readability is not compromised.
The bezel’s finish goes perfectly with the golden hands of the hours’ and minute’s sub-dials. The central blued-steel second’s hand is in blued steel. The regulator style separation is technical and pleasant. Some might consider the massive silver dial layout and decoration a nit dull. The lack of emotions and additional decorations can be put to the chronometric intent of this piece. The overlapping dials need a moment of accommodation, the second look offering a clearer intention of the dial. Lange uses different numerals and markings to make the dial more legible.
A little turning disc signalises red the last ten hours of the power reserve via a small aperture. As the watch features a remontoir for constant force, a standard power reserve indicator is less meaningful, as the power to drive the escapement comes from the remontoir, and not directly from the mainspring. This aperture at the intersection of the hours’ and minutes’ sub-dials features a fine chamfering, nicely executed.
Besides the outstanding finishes, a key feature of the Lange’s timepieces, the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is equipped with one second remontoirs and zero-reset system. The combination offers an easy setup and chronographic capabilities.
This year’s Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is powered by the same marvellous L094.1. This calibre features one-second remontoir as a constant force system. The movement comprises of 390 parts. Another beautiful technical detail is the zero-reset system committed to the precise setting of the watch. More information about constant force system and zero-reset, including explanatory images, in the last year’s review.
As expected, the movement features the traditionally high level of finishing specific to Lange. The main plate and Lange’s now traditional three-quarter plate are manufactured in German silver. The beautiful anglage is just one of a many finnisage addressed and executed very well.
A detail of the distinguished engraving present on the balance cock. The Glashütte ribbing (fauss côtes) is beautifully executed, the anglage inward and outward is magnificent, as well as the gold chatons holding the jewels or the shape of the bridges. On the right is visible the zero reset system of the calibre L094.1
The A. Lange und Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is limited to 100 pieces, just like the platinum piece released last year. The pink gold case brings a warm touch to the technical, instrument-like dial. The watch’s clean design and the jumping seconds with remontoir, doubled by the exquisite decorations will steal the heart of the collectors.
A. Lange und Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds Technical Specifications and Price
The Ref. 252.032 has a retail price of SGD112,300 / EUR73,000 / USD78,100.
Movement: Lange manufacture calibre L094.1, manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; constant-force escapement with remontoir spring crafted in-house; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand.
Movement parts: 390
Jewels: 50
Screwed gold chatons: 8
Escapement: Lever escapement
Oscillator: Shock-resistant balance wheel with eccentric poising weights; balance spring manufactured in-house with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, precision beat-adjustment system with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring
Power reserve: 42 hours when fully wound
Functions: Time display in hours, minutes and jumping seconds with stop seconds and ZERO-RESET function; end-of-power indication
Operating elements: Crown for winding the watch and setting the time
Case dimensions: Diameter: 39.9 millimetres; height: 10.6 millimetres
Movement dimensions: Diameter: 33.6 millimetres; height: 6.0 millimetres
Crystal and back: Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Case: Pink gold
Dial: Solid silver, argenté
Hands: Hours and minutes in pink gold, blued-steel seconds hand
Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather strap, reddish-brown
Buckle: Lange prong buckle in pink gold
Limited edition of 100 watches
