222.049 A. Lange & Söhne Side Step Wempe

The 1815 Side Step is Lange referencing their past in a way we don’t see often. To celebrate the 125^thanniversary of Wempe, Wempe were delivered this absolute beauty in 125 examples split across two metals There are 50 in this platinum, the rest are pink. It’s known as the Side Step, for its rather off-center appearance, and it is a cult classic if any Lange is today. At Lange’s refounding in 1994, Wempe were one of just the twelve retailers there. This is saying thank you back all those years later.

The dial of the 1815 is comparable to the 1815 Moonphase Emil Lange, just with no frills. However, where the Emil moves the petite seconds out of the way to feature a constellation, the asymmetry is the whole point of this piece. It’s highlighted as if it were a contrasting Datograph sub. In the Emil, the petite seconds is made in dial tone (black) to blend into the canvas, where, here, it’s underscored. Then that silver, mirroring the railroad minute track, is given a blued steel seconds hand which is an exuberance of the highest order for Germans. And then the dial is stepped, as all great Lange dials are.

The ‘special’ treatment, or perhaps deviation from the standard, extends to the calibre L944.1 as well. It still has a ¾ plate, but it’s not striped and instead full engraved in floral motif, encompassing shading and crosshatch. There’s an immense care in this finishing, which, while not traditional Glashütte, absolutely speaks of unbridled passion for the more creative side of movement finishing.

Very few Side Steps trade hands relative to most very limited Lange. That might be good proxy for how loved a model is by its collectors. The real genius of the Side Step, in my view, is that it leaves all numerals intact. The ref. 235.026 1815, for example, cannot claim that same accomplishment with petite seconds at 6. It’s not complicated, not trying too hard, and through a very simple alteration quite whimsical despite its austerity. The Side Step is Lange being romantic with a nod toward fun, which doesn’t happen often.

This example is great as well. The case is strong, only the very lightest signs of wear. It comes from a well-regarded London retailer with the works.