Born in 1815, Ferdinand Adolph Lange received a rigorous education at the hands of nurses and governesses. At 15 he became a student at the Saxon Technical school in Dresden. Following that, he pursued training under Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes, Sr, royal clockmaker to the King of Saxony. In 1846 he and his brother-in-law formed A. Lange & Söhne.

Lange’s use of precision tools and instruments allowed the manufacture to attain a level of precision that was heretofore unknown in mass-produced watches. After his death in 1878, his sons Richard and Emil would carry on his legacy. However, the Soviet occupation of East Germany at the end of the Second World War saw an end to A. Lange & Söhne. But after Reunification in the 1990s, the manufacture would make its triumphant return. At the helm of the company would be another Lange, Ferdinand’s great-grandson Walter.

The model 1815 honors this watchmaking legacy. Simple and elegant, it’s a careful distillation of Saxon watchmaking and design — adorned with just enough decoration to be beautiful, its otherwise minimalist look mixes Bauhaus principles with classical aesthetics.

This particular 1815 is one of the most beautiful variants, and decidedly Germanic. The so-named Lange "Up/Down" features a power reserve and subsidiary seconds balanced at 4 and 8 o'clock. Named Up/Down for the Auf/Ab lettering for full and empty power reserve on the indicator, this piece is classic Lange watchmaking at its very best. 

Contemporary Langes are sized generally around 38.5mm, and the modern 1815 Up/Down is a full 39mm, yet this example, a reference 221.021 is part of the earlier 36mm production run. These beautiful pieces are perefectly sized for the largest swath of wrists. Wearing so slenderly and yet having substantial presence thanks to its bold dial and stark design, this watch is a true experience on the wrist.

But this 1815 wouldn’t be a Lange without an equally stunning hand finished movement. Visible via the sapphire case back, it’s utterly captivating to behold, and serves as a quick explanation as to Lange’s elevated status in the watch world.

In well-loved, yet preserved unpolished condition, and produced in small numbers, this smaller take on the 1815 represents one of the most refined modern dresses watches in the world.

Try it on the wrist once, and you'll have a tough time taking it off — don't say we didn't warn you!