When it comes to iconic timepieces, A. Lange & Söhne’s Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Honeygold Lumen is a standout. To mark the 25th anniversary of the Datograph, the brand has created a new flagship model that brings together high-end craftsmanship, innovation, and an aesthetic that grabs your attention. This watch is limited to just 50 pieces, making it a collector’s dream.
Firstly, let’s talk about the case. The watch has a 41.5mm case made of 18k Honeygold, a proprietary gold alloy unique to A. Lange & Söhne. This alloy is tougher than yellow gold but has a warmer tone. The brushed and polished surfaces add to its elegance, and it’s complemented by a hand-stitched dark brown alligator leather strap with a Honeygold buckle. It looks luxurious without being ostentatious.
The dial is where this watch truly shines – literally. The smoked sapphire dial gives it a unique look, and the luminous elements make it come alive in the dark. The luminous compound is generously applied to the hands, subdials, and tachymeter ring, creating a visually stunning display at night. What’s really impressive is that despite the amount of information on the dial, it’s still easy to read.
Functionally, the watch has everything you’d expect from a high-end complication timepiece. The left subdial features running seconds, day of the week, and a day/night indicator, while the right subdial has a chronograph minute counter, month, and leap year indicators. The moonphase at 6 o’clock and the big date display at 12 are also luminous, adding to the watch’s practicality in low-light conditions.
Underneath the dial, the manually-wound calibre L952.4 movement is a work of art. You can view it through the sapphire caseback, revealing the intricate details that A. Lange & Söhne is known for. It features a flyback chronograph, a perpetual calendar, and a hidden tourbillon, all with exceptional precision. This movement has 684 components and is assembled twice for quality control. It has a 50-hour power reserve and operates at 18,000 vibrations per hour, allowing for timing at 1/5 second intervals.
I have to ask: what do you think about a watch that combines classic complications with a modern twist? Does the use of Honeygold and a luminous dial bring something new to the table, or is it just another fancy watch with a hefty price tag? Personally, I think it’s a bold move by A. Lange & Söhne to add this level of complexity while keeping the design functional. Given the limited number of pieces available, it’s likely to be a highly sought-after collector’s item.
What stands out to me is the way A. Lange & Söhne has balanced tradition with innovation. This watch is a perfect example of how a brand can honor its heritage while embracing new technologies and design elements. It’s not every day you see a timepiece that can be both visually striking and highly functional. Would you wear something like this, or do you prefer a simpler, less complicated watch? Or perhaps you prefer one of the most expensive watches in the world.
