Executed to perfection, the 1815 flyback chronograph is a statement to the industry of the level of precision and micro engineering that A. Lange & Söhne is capable of taking inspiration from the brand’s historic pocket chronographs, the 1815 chronograph debuted in 2004 and was available in an attractive combination of a white gold case paired with argenté dial and blued steel hands with the ref 401.026, as well as a pink gold version with matching pink gold hands on black dial with ref, 401.031. On the movement side, a horological metropolis from the L.951.0 can be witnessed composed of the firm’s signature German silver with a hand-engraved balance cock. Practically the same calibre as the Datograph with the absence of the big date mechanism, the movement and its architecture is perhaps where most would surrender to.

The collection had an evolution of a total of three generation with design nuances that sets them apart. Introduced with the ref. 401.026 measuring at 39.5mm, the design is kept rather simple and elegant featuring an attractive sloped outer ring that carries the pulsometer scale, logo and two recessed registers sitting slightly below the crown. Passing the baton with the discontinuation of the first generation, in 2010 A. Lange & Söhne took on a new minimalistic approach with the second generation ref. 402.026. Arguably being one of the purest execution amongst the three generations, the first and foremost obvious distinction from its siblings is the absence of the pulsometer scale. Consecutively, this arrangement allows a more spacious canvas for larger display of the registers. Furthermore, the logo is repositioned to take the centre stage of the dial resulting a much cleaner and legible design. Fitted with a more superior addition of the calibre L951.5, the movement features a vast array of important technical advancements such as the free-sprung in-house balance wheel and spring with a power reserve of 60 hours instead of 36 like its predecessor. Lastly, the third generation from 2015 and still part of the current offerings from the brand brought back the signature pulsometer scale however with larger registers and bolder fonts.

The present example second generation A. Lange & Söhne 1815 chronograph in 18K white gold fitted with an attractive and clean silvery dial with blued hands is with no doubt a handsome timepiece. Offered with the full set of accessories, the watch is also presented in excellent overall condition and is the perfect additional for the purist.