A. Lange & Söhne Introduces the Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold
A. Lange & Söhne has marked its foundation day on 7 December with a remarkable addition to its portfolio. The Lange 1 Daymatic, the automatic counterpart to the emblematic hand wound Lange 1, is presented for the first time in the manufacture’s exclusive Honeygold alloy. This material, created in house and reserved for especially significant pieces, lends the new model a distinctive character within the broader Lange 1 family.
Introduced in 2010, the Lange 1 Daymatic was developed to complement the core collection with an automatic interpretation of the brand’s signature design language. Before its arrival the entire Lange 1 line relied solely on manual winding, and the Daymatic offered a different proposition without compromising the architecture that defined the original.
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A Mirror of the Icon
The Daymatic was never conceived as a simple self winding version of the Lange 1. The designers reconfigured the familiar asymmetry of the model, creating a mirrored layout intended to improve legibility when the watch sits partly concealed beneath a shirt cuff. The power reserve indicator of the classic Lange 1 was replaced with a retrograde day of the week display, bringing an additional layer of mechanical interest and shifting the functional emphasis in a new direction.
With the launch of the Honeygold variant, the Daymatic reaches a new milestone. In the fifteen year history of the model it has never before been crafted in this alloy. Honeygold is an 18 carat gold with a warm tone positioned between rose and yellow hues. It is noted for its hardness, which exceeds that of conventional gold alloys, while retaining a refined lustre that has made it a hallmark of the manufacture’s most exclusive editions. The case retains the proportions associated with the Lange 1 line. It measures 39.5 millimetres in diameter and 10.4 millimetres in height. The narrow polished bezel and elegantly curved lugs provide a comfortable and balanced presence on the wrist.
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Dial Architecture and Aesthetic
The silver dial is presented in a rich brown tone that harmonises with the warmth of the Honeygold case. On the right, the off centre hours and minutes subdial anchors the composition, while a recessed small seconds subdial lies below it near the eight o’clock position. Opposite the seconds display sits the outsized date aperture, positioned near eleven o’clock. Between these elements stretches the retrograde day of the week scale, which contributes significantly to the recognisable identity of the Daymatic.
The dial is constructed to create depth and texture. Both the main time display and the small seconds register are set slightly below the surface of the dial, producing subtle shadows that enhance clarity and animate the layout. The hands, applied markers and the frame of the outsized date are crafted from Honeygold, ensuring coherence between case and dial. The combination of contrasting levels and warm materials gives the watch an understated dynamism that complements the model’s mechanical sophistication.
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The Lange L021.1 Movement
Inside the Daymatic sits the L021.1 calibre, developed specifically for the launch of the line in 2010. The movement is equipped with a central rotor made from 21 carat gold, combined with a platinum outer segment designed to increase winding efficiency. This robust winding system supports the demands of daily wear without diminishing the elegance expected of a Lange calibre.
The movement consists of 426 components and includes 67 jewels, seven of which are set in screwed gold chatons. The balance operates at 21600 vibrations per hour and is paired with an in house hairspring. The use of a free sprung balance system provides excellent long term stability and contributes to the characteristic precision of Lange movements. A full power reserve offers approximately 50 hours of autonomy. As expected, the finishing is meticulous, with hand engraved balance cocks, polished bevels and striped bridges forming part of the brand’s traditional aesthetic language.
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Strap, Availability and Edition Size
The Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold is fitted with a hand stitched grey brown alligator leather strap secured by a Honeygold pin buckle. The model is limited to 250 pieces and will be available exclusively through A. Lange & Söhne boutiques.
