403.032 A. Lange & Söhne Datograph

First generation Datographs have been on a tear, and perhaps none is more under represented in the zeitgeist than the 403.032. This is not the Dufourgraph, that one has a black dial. This is the argente silver, pink gold early Datograph that has no counterpart in the contemporary catalogue (there is no silver dial, pink gold Up/Down). While the case is precious, the prices aren’t—normally selling between 15-20k underneath the platinum 403.035. That’s meaningful value for a just as beautiful specification.

This is the overshadowed Dato, but still at 39mm. In 1999, Lange treated the world to the first 403.035, platinum and the one you’re likely thinking of. Then there was the Dufourgraph, black dial in pink gold. That was in production just two years from 2003 until 2005, and that small-production rarity has made that market a different beast. Most think around 350 examples made Finally, there was this unusual spec of white argente dial, darker subdials, all in pink gold. It took the throne from the Dufourgraph but was made from 2005 until 2013, with a speculative production volume of 1600 examples. For context, most would say that’s around the low end of the production estimate for 403.035 (most think 2000).

With 4000-ish total examples in the market of First Generation Datographs (don’t get us started on Meter vs Meters dials and if that even matters), this is a developing space with truly low production that wasn’t artificial. Between Reinhard Meis, Annegret Fleischer, and the don Mr. Blümlein, one of history’s greats was made here. The tides are changing, the whole world is waking up to early Lange, and 403.032 is one of the few values hiding in plain sight. It’s just a biased Lange fan’s opinion, however. Regardless, it’s true. 

This example is just as you'd hope to find it: strong bevels and notches in the lugs, bezel proportions and edges full, no signs of dial tomfoolery. It comes as full set from a well-regarded Arizona retailer.