Lange, the venerable German watch house in Glashutte, has eclipsed all previous records for power reserve with the introduction of the Lange 31. While most watchmakers struggle to produce movements capable of much more than a weeks worth of reserves, Lange has created a watch with a twin mainspring barrel capable of storing 31 days of power.
As you might imagine, the Lange 31 is a serious watch. At almost 46mm in diameter and 16mm thick, this platinum beauty is substantial on the wrist and always attracts some attention. While, as a rule, understated and uncluttered; the dials of Lange watches are some of the most pleasing to the eye. In that regard, the Lange 31 is no exception. It's dial is silver and well organized. There's a large subdial at 3 o'clock that indicates the current power in reserve and a much smaller seconds dial that eclipses much of the stick marker in the 6 o'clock position. An 'outsize' (big) date display at the 10 o'clock arc is controlled by a pusher at the same spot on the left side of the case. Unique to the 31 is a crown which only controls the setting of the current time. Winding is left to a key-winding mechanism. The 'key' is inserted the mechanism through an opening in the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback. According to Lange, the use of a key allows a considerably larger winding transmission ratio (than that associated with crown winding) and so fewer 'turns' are needed and the energy builds up faster and more conveniently. The key itself features an integrated torque limiter which prevents over-tightening of the mainsprings.
The Lange 31 is supplied with a crocodile strap with a platinum buckle. The workmanship in this watch (and all Langes for that matter) is exceptional and the detailed hand finishing is obvious you look.
I really like Lange watches. Compared to most of the upper-echelon watch brands, Lange production is very limited. This affords an additional degree of exclusivity to owning a Lange. Similarly, there's a unique and instantly recognizable element to the Lange designs that conveys a sense of elegance and timelessness that I've come to associate with A Lange & Sohne watches.
