Lot Essay
The Datograph Flyback Chronograph has always maintained a cult following, making it one of the ‘must have’ Lange & Söhne watches for a serious collector. One of the significant landmarks of modern watchmaking, the sheer quality of finishing of the Datograph has solicited accolades from some of the world’s greatest watchmakers, many of whom consider the model to be the among the finest serially produced wristwatch ever made. The Datograph ‘Up/Down’ replaced the original Datograph in 2012, among other updates, its main difference is the addition of a power reserve indicator. One of the most exclusive and exciting versions of the Datograph is the present Up/Down ‘Lumen’, the fourth model in the ‘Lumen’ series which was made in a limited edition of just 200 pieces in platinum, each watch being individually numbered.
An entirely new and remarkable Datograph Flyback Chronograph, the Up/Down ‘Lumen’ features an extraordinary dial with smoked sapphire crystal segments that are specially coated to block most of the visible light spectrum except electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths between 100 and 380 nanometres - commonly known as UV light, which is not visible to the human eye. The hands, hour and minute markers, date, power reserve and chronograph functions are coated with SuperLuminova, a material that luminesces in the dark once activated by either sunlight or artificial light. The semi-transparent construction of the dial allows the luminous material of the date disc to be charged in its entirety so that even the hidden parts of the disc are charged. The entire watch is completely functional in the dark, a visually impressive sight.
The Datograph Flyback Chronograph was introduced to great acclaim at the 1999 Basel Fair (Baselworld) as the world's first chronograph based on the classic column-wheel principle with precisely jumping minute counter and patented oversized date. The Datograph Up/Down, Launched at SIHH 2012, replaced the Datograph Flyback. The Datograph Up/Down features a larger case of 41 millimetres diameter as opposed to the 39 millimetre of its predecessor. The name ‘Up/Down’ refers to the indicator for the 60-hour power reserve at 6 o'clock. The original Datograph had a power reserve of 36 hours, the Up/Down version has an impressive 60-hour reserve. The Datograph Up/Down ‘Lumen’ is the fourth model of the ‘Lumen’ series that A. Lange & Söhne launched in 2010.
An entirely new and remarkable Datograph Flyback Chronograph, the Up/Down ‘Lumen’ features an extraordinary dial with smoked sapphire crystal segments that are specially coated to block most of the visible light spectrum except electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths between 100 and 380 nanometres - commonly known as UV light, which is not visible to the human eye. The hands, hour and minute markers, date, power reserve and chronograph functions are coated with SuperLuminova, a material that luminesces in the dark once activated by either sunlight or artificial light. The semi-transparent construction of the dial allows the luminous material of the date disc to be charged in its entirety so that even the hidden parts of the disc are charged. The entire watch is completely functional in the dark, a visually impressive sight.
The Datograph Flyback Chronograph was introduced to great acclaim at the 1999 Basel Fair (Baselworld) as the world's first chronograph based on the classic column-wheel principle with precisely jumping minute counter and patented oversized date. The Datograph Up/Down, Launched at SIHH 2012, replaced the Datograph Flyback. The Datograph Up/Down features a larger case of 41 millimetres diameter as opposed to the 39 millimetre of its predecessor. The name ‘Up/Down’ refers to the indicator for the 60-hour power reserve at 6 o'clock. The original Datograph had a power reserve of 36 hours, the Up/Down version has an impressive 60-hour reserve. The Datograph Up/Down ‘Lumen’ is the fourth model of the ‘Lumen’ series that A. Lange & Söhne launched in 2010.