Front view of the reference 425.025.
Known as one of the most difficult horological instruments to build, the Rattrapante (or split-seconds) chronograph is a watch that can track multiple events with different ending times all at once. It is no easy feat and requires hundreds of extra tiny mechanical parts to be chocked into an already full movement, but the best of the best watch brands can do this. A. Lange & Sohne is one of them. The German brand recently released its newest 1815 Rattrapante that houses a custom-made movement developed in house.
The A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Rattrapante is crafted in platinum and, while the price is “on request” we know it will be higher than the price of the Honey Gold version when that came out for $135,000.
Because of its caliber and functions, the platinum watch, created in a limited edition of just 200 pieces, has a unique dial design and enables tracking and easy reading of short-time measurements. In fact, thanks to two super-imposed chronograph hands, the watch can measure a random number of lap times within a single minute. The center chronograph hand and the center Rattrapante hand (that splits away from the main chronograph hand) each start at the same time when the pusher at 2:00 on the case side is activated. The Rattrapante hand can be stopped independently from the main center chronograph hand and then re-synchronized with it – over and over again.
Back view of the A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Rattrapante in platinum with a complex movement.
The Manufacture-made movement, caliber L101.2, is visible via a transparent sapphire case back. It showcases a complex switching process that takes place thanks to two column wheels. This movement, which offers 58 hours of power reserve, was not made expressly for this watch, and has already been used to power the 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold Homage to F. A. Lange watch unveiled in 2020. It is the brand’s seventh caliber with the Rattrapante complication and has been customized for the new dial layout.
Detail view of the 1815 RATTRAPANTE, reference 425.025.
As with all A. Lange & Sohne movements, this one is always manually assembled twice to ensure perfection. It consists of 365 pieces, including German silver bridges, screwed gold chatons and a hand-engraved balance cock. Every piece, including the lever escapement and the shock-resistant screw balance, is hand finished and decorated.
The new 41.2mm platinum cased watch with bright silver-colored dial and blued hands boasts a traditional railway track on the outer edge of the dial and Arabic numerals. Instead of showcasing the subsidiary dials at 3:00 and 9:00 as in most chronographs, the watch features the dials at 12:00 and 6:00 for a more balanced appeal. This watch also features a peripheral tachymeter scale to measure average speeds.
The The A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Rattrapante is activated using the pushers at 2:00 on the case.
