This ref. 101.005 is a very early Lange 1 from the first two years after A. Lange & Söhne's rebirth in 1994 with a closed, solid platinum caseback. Moreover, it is one of very few watches from these early years with a sapphire caseback also produced for it by special request of the owner. The 101.005 is the original 'Stealth' Lange 1, a platinum case with a German silver dial in totally monochromatic teutonic restraint. It was a part of the original Lange 1 collection in 1994. Today, it is one of the most coveted and significant Lange 1s ever made.
In 1990, Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein began to rebuild the core of German watchmaking from scratch. With limited means but unlimited tenacity, the duo established the identity of what would become A. Lange & Söhne. In 1994, German watchmaking returned with the Saxonia, Arkade, Pour le Mérite, and Lange 1. Of that quartet, the Lange 1 would go on to most clearly establish A. Lange & Söhne design principles.
The Lange 1 quickly emerged as the foundation of the brand's early catalogue, largely due to its embodiment of Günter Blümlein’s overarching design philosophy that guided the brand’s renaissance: to set itself apart from the Swiss dominated market through embracing unapologetic German design principles. Even at first glance, these Teutonic principles are immediately apparent: it is refined, understated, and mathematically perfect. Its asymmetric dial design has been precisely engineered to follow the golden ratio and rule of thirds, placing dial features on the points of an isosceles triangle. Further, there is a sense of place as the grande date was inspired by the Semper Opera House of Dresden. While the Lange 1 is undeniably the core of A. Lange & Söhne today, the Stealth emphasized the teutonic principles of its design. Since introduction, it has been a staple of the collection.
Solid back production ceased in 1996, leaving Lange 1 examples from these first two years highly collected. Early examples of the Lange 1 also feature a 'Made in Germany' line with a smaller sans-serif font, where later examples spread the text out larger with serifs. Similarly, there are differences in the umlaut of the u in 'Glashütte' and the relative positioning of the 'I/SA' (meaning 'in Sachsen' or in Saxony).
This original calibre L901.0 incorporates what have come to be known as 'islands', two separated bridges inside of the three-quarter plate for the keyless works and seconds hand which have their own artfully bevelled edges. The following calibre L121.1 did away with these charming and hard-to-manufacture details. While based on a JLC 822 gear train, the L901.0 bears little resemblance to its ébauche after the immense work performed in Glashütte. It comprises 398 components in traditional Glashütte finishing styles with a hand engraved balance-cock, broad anglage (around both sides of the islands as well), and a warm untreated German silver patina. Although hidden, the wearer alone knows that the calibre is finished to the absolute nines.
The 101.005 is an enchanting wearing experience. Blümlein remarked in the early years 'I want a Lange watch to give the same feeling as closing a Mercedes door'. The platinum mass and taught angles of this 3-body case certainly succeed in giving that impression. This is the foundation of Lange in one beautifully discreet, solid caseback Lange 1.
