A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down
This model showcases a decade of horological innovation with features like a flyback function, a precisely jumping minute counter, and an enhanced 60-hour power reserve. Share
In 1999, the Datograph launched a revolutionary phase in short-time measurement with its entirely new manufacture calibre and a distinctive dial layout. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this trailblazing chronograph now graces the market as the Datograph Up/Down model in 18-carat white gold with a blue dial, limited to a series of 125 pieces.
“To date, designing and crafting top-class chronographs ranks among the greatest challenges in precision watchmaking,” states Anthony de Haas, Director Product Development. “As early as 25 years ago, our engineers created a masterpiece with the Datograph that marries highly sophisticated functions with a well-balanced dial configuration. This singular combination of true engineering finesse and expressive design has made the Datograph an emblem of our philosophy to continue to explore new avenues, and serves as an incentive for future developments.”
Five years after A. Lange & Söhne introduced its inaugural collection, the company unveiled the Datograph—its first-ever chronograph movement in 1999. The movement, named calibre L951.1, was an entirely original design by the Saxon manufacture and included a column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function, a precisely jumping minute counter, and the signature Lange outsize date.
This movement marked the initial step in the Saxon manufacture’s ongoing quest to expand the horological landscape, establishing the Datograph as the forefront of a series that now includes 13 innovative models featuring a chronograph function. The calibre L951.6, belonging to the Datograph UP/DOWN and unveiled in 2012, improved upon its predecessors with a power-reserve indicator and an extended power reserve of 60 hours.
The Datograph Up/Down distinguishes itself with features designed for clear and precise time measurement, similar to those required in early aviation. Its flyback mechanism, precise jumping minute counter, outsize date, and power-reserve indicator make it exceptionally functional. The flyback function enables rapid back-to-back time measurements by performing the stop, reset to zero, and restart actions consecutively with a single button press. The precise jumping minute counter advances at the exact second when the chrono seconds hand completes a full minute cycle. The “Up/Down” refers to the power-reserve indicator located at 6 o’clock, showing the remaining time before the watch needs winding, especially when the indicator moves into the red zone after two days.
The Datograph Up/Down’s dial is a model of stylish clarity. Its harmonious arrangement is instantly recognizable, with a dual aperture for the date beneath 12 o’clock forming the apex of an equilateral triangle configuration. The subdials for the small seconds and precisely jumping minute counter sit below the dial’s horizontal center axis, enhancing the balance of the display. In this new iteration, the watch features a blue dial, providing a striking contrast with the rhodié-colored subdials, luminous hands, and baton hour markers.
At the heart of the Datograph Up/Down is the manually wound calibre L951.6, comprising 451 parts, each assembled twice and meticulously finished in the distinctive Lange style. This caliber is a paragon of technical excellence and aesthetic precision, operating at 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 hertz) and allowing for time measurements accurate to one-fifth of a second. The inner workings, including the minute counter mechanism and the column-wheel that controls the chronograph sequencing, are visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
The technical prowess of the movement is matched by its craftsmanship. Intricate details like the acute internal angles found in the chronograph’s clutch rocker are notable for their precision, demanding exceptional skill and patience to perfect. Other hallmark features include bridges crafted from untreated German silver and the hand-engraved balance cock with a whiplash spring, adorned with four gold screwed chatons.
The Datograph Up/Down is now available in three distinct versions. The dimensions of this new model remain the same, with a case diameter of 41.0 millimeters and a height of 13.1 millimeters. Besides the latest white gold with a blue dial edition limited to 125 pieces, the watch is also offered in platinum with a black dial and in pink gold with a black dial.
