405.034, Datograph Up/Down Lumen, Platinum

The fourth Lumen model, ref. 405.034, A. Lange & Sohne’s Datograph Up/Down Lumen debuted in 2018 and immediately created the most desirable flagship Datograph. With a smoked sapphire dial and all the drama of a Datograph calibre, these were immediately highly-desired. Limited and immediately sold, these 200 examples represent the most elevated form that Lange’s landmark chronograph has taken. 

A. Lange & Sohne’s Lumen models are created with sapphire dials and luminous elements with the tandem goals of dial-side technical drama during the day with nighttime spectacle. Envisioned initially for the Zeitwerk and its hidden time discs, the aesthetic came to define halo-watch Langes. Ref. 405.034 pushes Lumen precedent further with a smoked sapphire dial that belies none of the luminous elements during the day. In daylight, only excellent perlage, date discs, and pinions are visible. However, the dial features a technical smoked coating that diminishes light but allows UV transmission to charge elements. At night, the effort becomes obvious through a luminous tachymeter scale, date, hands, subdials, and power reserve. This also allows the subdial hands to be blued steel and seen in reverse. No functionality whatsoever has been lost in nighttime, with a vibrant muted green glow that’s hard to appreciate through photos alone. The inner minute scale is also attached to the luminous tachymeter work, a first for Lange. 

This technical splendor is underpinned by calibre L951.7, one of the most architecturally beautiful chronograph calibres ever devised. This is the second generation Datograph calibre, with notable technical improvements such as a thicker mainspring, bringing the power reserve to 60 hours, free sprung balance, minute totalizer that jumps in discreet intervals rather than scrolling constantly. Finishing is traditionally Glashütte, with excellent striping, balance cock engraving, base plate perlage, blued screws, chatons, and beautifully beveled edges on chronograph levers with top brushing. 

The Lumen remains the most arresting Datograph of recent years, a simple chronograph elevated through an aesthetic which is at the core of A. Lange & Sohne’s most special works. While an outlier in many respects, there are parallels to more traditional catalogues. This is the Glashütte equivalent of a Swiss skeleton. The distinct approach of a Lumen, however, tones down and mellows the opened dial, where skeletonization brings more attention. The 405.034 perfectly captures the dichotomy of Lange's austere yet revolutionary spirits in full measure, one of the more desirable watches ever to leave Glashütte. 

This 405.034 presents in exceptional overall condition. Its case bears light signs of occasional use, commensurate with sparing wear. The dial has no faults. Its calibre L951.7 is running well within specification on our timing equipment. It comes with its original complete set.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.