This is a ref. 151.025 Lange 1 'Stealth', a silver dial in platinum, but in an extremely rare configuration. This is one of very few watches made in the early days of Lange with an integrated, fully platinum bracelet made by the Pforzheim-based jewelry manufacture Wellendorff for A. Lange & Söhne. When the modern A. Lange & Söhne was resurrected in 1994, the silver dial, platinum Lange 1 was one of the core watches the brand launched with. It was quickly nicknamed Stealth for its discreet, monochromatic aesthetic. According to A. Lange & Söhne, fewer than 50 examples of the 151.025 were made.
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. 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.
This example stands out from other Stealth examples for its bracelet. Wellendorff's bracelet are widely regarded as some of the greatest bracelets ever made from any manufacture, ever. Their craft dates back to their own founding in 1893 and has long focused on precious metal bracelets. Wellendorff is no longer making bracelets for A. Lange & Söhne or any watchmaker, which has left these early examples of their work in watches as highly collectible. Very few watchmakers manufacture full platinum bracelets such as this example today. Many will tell you that no watch bracelet has ever been made of a higher quality than Wellendorff.
The 151.025 features other hallmarks of early Lange 1, such as an early 'Made In Germany' with sans serif font in a smaller proportion. This older calibre L901.0 incorporates what have come to be known as the '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. It comprises 398 components in traditional Glashütte finishing styles with a hand engraved balance-cock, broad anglage (around both sides of the islands), and a warm untreated German silver patina.
This ref. 151.025 is an enchanting wearing experience with an immense mass and brilliance. The 151.025 was made from 1995-2002 and was the only Stealth Lange 1 to be sold as 'Price on Request' in the 1995 catalogue. The immense degree of handcraft required not only in the watchmaking but also the braceletmaking remains unrivaled. The 151.025 is the best of early A. Lange & Sohne, a symphony in silky platinum and traditional Glashütte watchmaking.
