The Lange 31 watch throws the rule book out of the window. Most manual watches run for about 40 hours on one full winding of the mainspring. Some can run up to eight days, a few even 10 days. But the Lange 31, as the name suggests, has a manual power-reserve of 31 days.
The only other brand to have come close is the Jacob & Co with the Quenttin (Bespoke, issue 2). But unlike the Quenttin with its seven vertically placed barrels, the Lange 31 is not bulky at all. The watch may seem to loom large with its 46mm diameter and a height of 15.9 millimetres, but no more than other oversize watches.
There is nothing too excessive about the Lange 31, except perhaps its price tag, but then again, you are buying a unique movement that took years of research and development to produce. On display within the platinum casing is a silver dial boasting four indications: the time, a date located at ten o’clock, a small seconds indicator at six o’clock and a power reserve indicator at three o’clock. The only giveaway to this watch’s massive power is a tiny 31 at the end of the power-reserve indicator.
While most watchmaking companies are trying to create limited edition releases that scream for attention, A.Lange & Söhne sticks to its ethos of classical understatement. The German company truly believes that sophistication is being able to raise your eyebrow instead of your voice.
Model A.Lange & Söhne, Lange 31 made in Glashütte, Germany
Price 190,000 USD
Concept Limited edition highly complicated mechanically wound wristwatch
Why Wearing history on your wrist and it only needs winding 12 times a year
