In 2004, the Datograph had already garnered widespread adoration, but collectors vocally yearned for a purer, and more importantly thinner, chronograph. A new model was borne, the 1815 Chronograph. It was sans date, cleaner, and proportionally more classical. At 39.5mm and 11m thin, the 1815 Chronograph’s case landed much closer to the classical ideals than the Datograph's 41mm and 13.1mm height. This is a first generation 1815 Chronograph, from the year of launch in 2004. It is still today one of the most remarkably dramatic, timeless chronographs which has ever been made.
This first generation of 1815 Chronograph sports a few subtle differences which have set it apart for collectors. First, there is the dial. This first production featured a complex four-layer construction, where sunken subdials are contrasted against a solid silver dial main. From there, there is an elevated numeral scale and angled pulsations scale. Layered construction to this point was a hallmark of the 1815 family, but the Chronograph took it to a new level. The lowest layer, its subdials, are also in raw silver to provide just a hint of contrast against a white dial.
The first generation was produced from just 2004 until 2008, relatively short for a standard production Lange. The second series did away the pulsations scale and contrasting subdials for sake of both dial clarity and, some have argued, ease of production. The nostalgic, angled pulsations scale and layered construction add a touch of a vintage flavor and depth to what is a ultimately a cutting edge chronograph.
However, the dial still pales in comparison to the caseback, which reveals the breathtaking calibre L951.0. This is, if the not it, one of the greatest chronographs made at scale today. Even Philippe Dufour is a fan. There is inherent contrast between German silver bridges and steel levers, polishing, brushing, engraving, chatons, blued screws, and more carefully considered engineering than I have the space here to elucidate. The entire L951.0 has been designed from scratch to create visual drama, which it certainly does. This includes a lateral clutch for aesthetic considerations, bridges sculpted for maximal depth, and incredibly artful flourishes like the swirling clutch lever itself.
A. Lange & Söhne already had a winning formula in the Datograph. But the 1815 Chronograph exists because, in Glashütte, perfection isn't enough. We should be glad it wasn't. Because A. Lange & Söhne still managed to purify the experience further by making the proportions even more beautiful. This first generation dial is just the icing to an already exacting cake recipe. We've said it before, but in the 1815 Chronograph you don't just a have chronograph to measure elapsed time, but a view to make it stop.
