A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual
December 2024
Chronograph is a monumental complication and there are only a couple of additions that would deservedly accompany its complexity while elevating its attraction even more. Throughout the history there happened to be many combinations, but none struck as its coupledom with another grand complication: Perpetual Calendar – the Datograph Perpetual is A. Lange & Söhne’s iteration of the iconic coupledom.
Quick Facts:
- Introduced in 2006
- Available in platinum, gold
- Measures 41mm in diameter and 13.5 mm in diameter
- First generation is produced only for 4 years
- Received an aesthetic only update in 2010
Iconic, indeed. The first serially produced wristwatch combining a chronograph with a perpetual calendar dates back to 1941: Patek Philippe’s legendary 1518. Ah, the 1518… such a magnificent creation. It’s not just a watch—those early generations are true gems. Impeccable designs, both functional and deeply characteristic, were refined and evolved through successive masterpieces (2499, 3970, 5970, and 5270).
Given that this pairing is one of the flagship offerings of its biggest competitor, it was inevitable for A. Lange & Söhne to introduce their own perpetual calendar chronograph. But they couldn’t simply emulate the concept—they had to craft a model imbued with their unique, Germanic identity. Had they relied on the same blueprint—or even a slightly similar one—for the Datograph Perpetual, they wouldn’t have stood a chance. Differentiation, and doing it better, was the only way the modern A. Lange & Söhne could establish itself in a crowded market as a latecomer.
A. Lange & Söhne pulled this off many times before, and Datograph Perpetual is no exception.
Günter Blümlein, with A. Lange & Söhne, sought to create something new and distinctive—respectful of tradition but not bound by it. When it came to merging the perpetual calendar with a chronograph, the 1815 line was quickly ruled out. Its rooted design, with Arabic numerals and a railway minute track, offered limited flexibility for such an ambitious endeavor. The Lange 1 was also off the table, sidelined by technical constraints. This left only one choice: the Datograph Perpetual.
The search culminated in 2006 with the release of the Datograph Perpetual in platinum (ref. 410.025) with a silver dial. As distinctive as its predecessor, it featured lowered sub-dials, applied Roman numerals, and the magnificent caliber L952.1. This marked A. Lange & Söhne’s first foray into the traditional pairing of a perpetual calendar with a chronograph—an unconventional yet unmistakably characteristic creation.
Datograph Perpetual - First Generation
The first-generation Datograph Perpetual was available exclusively in platinum (ref. 410.025) and white gold (ref. 410.030), with options for both bracelet and strap. The platinum version remained in the catalog for five years, while the white gold variant, introduced in 2009, was discontinued just a couple of years later in 2011.
The Datograph Perpetual measures 41 mm in diameter and 13.5 mm in thickness. The increased heft, along with a thicker bezel (0.7 mm more than the Datograph), is attributed to the perpetual calendar module. The diameter was also slightly expanded to maintain a balanced diameter-to-height ratio, ensuring the watch’s legibility and wearability were uncompromised.
Like every complicated A. Lange & Söhne creation, the Datograph Perpetual features a protruding case back. This design serves both functional and aesthetic purposes: it hides the watch’s thickness when viewed from the side while accommodating the movement. However, this comes at a slight cost to wrist comfort, as the reduced surface area in contact with the wrist can make it feel less secure. That said, thanks to its balanced diameter-to-thickness ratio and well-executed lug design, the Datograph Perpetual wears surprisingly comfortably.
Comfort is further enhanced by the thoughtful inclusion of a corrector pusher at 10 o’clock—a brilliant and user-friendly feature. With a single press, all calendar indications advance by one increment. This “life-saving” mechanism is particularly handy given the Datograph Perpetual’s 36-hour power reserve.
For added security, the pusher is deactivated between 10 PM and 2 AM to protect the delicate calendar mechanism. It can only be operated when the crown is pulled out, ensuring it cannot be accidentally triggered while the watch is on the wrist or resting pusher-side down.
The safety mechanism of the Datograph Perpetual. Courtesy of Lange Uhren GmbH
The Datograph Perpetual builds upon the same base as the Datograph’s L951.1, maintaining identical placement of indications as its predecessor. As previously noted, the 2-mm increase in diameter from the non-perpetual version is cleverly distributed between the tachymeter scale and bezel. Most importantly, the Datograph Perpetual skillfully preserves the line’s core character.
A defining feature of the Datograph Perpetual—and A. Lange & Söhne as a whole—is the big date display. This iconic element heavily influences the design of the calendar. Due to its wide footprint, the only viable option for the day and month indications was to integrate them into their respective sub-dials. This approach maintains the watch’s character, though it introduces certain challenges.
From a legibility standpoint, this design isn’t as clear as the aperture-based solutions seen in brands like Patek Philippe or Urban Jürgensen. Additionally, the prominence of the big date constrains the width of the moon phase display at 6 o’clock, leaving limited space for this poetic complication. Despite these trade-offs, the design remains characteristic and within the A. Lange & Söhne frame, offering a clear hierarchy of information – something I would much prefer instead of a copycat design. Cough VC cough!
First generation Datograph and Datograph Perpetual. Please note the much familiar layout. Courtesy of The 1916 Company
One common critique among enthusiasts is the design of the day/night and leap year indicators. Indeed, this, dare I say, non-optimal layout is evident in earlier A. Lange & Söhne models, such as the Langematik Perpetual and the Lange 1 Time Zone. Both of these watches predate the Datograph Perpetual and feature hanging sub-dials, suggesting that Lange likely chose to continue with a familiar, proven design. While this detail has its detractors, I see it as an eccentric touch that positively contributes to the Datograph Perpetual’s unconventional aesthetic—particularly in its first generation.
The two first-generation Datograph Perpetual models offer distinctly different personalities. The platinum version (ref. 410.025) exudes a more sober, understated, and classy demeanor, with its heavier case and white dial providing excellent contrast with key details, such as the moon phase display. The white gold version (ref. 410.030), by contrast, is aggressive, edgier, and sportier. This model also marked the brand’s debut of the white gold and grey dial pairing, a combination that has since become a signature of A. Lange & Söhne.
A very rare first generation Datograph Perpetual in white gold with grey dial. Sold at Langepedia x The 1916 Company Marketplace
All in all, the first generation Datograph Perpetual is a brilliant update over the basic Datograph. Despite the increase in diameter and thickness, the signature elements such as Roman Numerals are proportionally preserved, and it feels that Datograph Perpetual is a continuation; without being mimicry.
Datograph Perpetual - Second Generation
A. Lange & Söhne went through a management change in 2009. Fabian Krone, then the CEO for 6 years left the company and Jeromé Lambert, now the CEO of Richemont, took over for a couple of years until the current CEO Wilhelm Schmid’s arrival. Within this period, Lange went through a transition in design. The brand started to ditch somewhat baroque designs and focused on more modern, minimal and streamline appearances. One strong example of this observation is Datograph Perpetual’s second generation.
In 2010, the brand introduced the Datograph Perpetual in pink gold (410.032). Main updates were the baton indexes and a more slender font. It was more modern per-se, alas in expense of losing its aggressive and definitive soul. The design was also the foundation of the new Datograph Up/Down, which arrived only 2 years after. The second generation Datograph Perpetual Family got bigger in 2015 with the introduction of the splendid white gold (410.038) variant.
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual 410.038 in white gold with grey dial. Still, incredibly tempting.
In my view, beauty and character are two distinct qualities. By that measure, the second-generation Datograph Perpetualmodels are undeniably beautiful, but they lack the masculine presence and defining character of the first generation—a sentiment that echoes the evolution of the Datograph Up/Down.
The Roman numerals in the original Datograph collection imbued the design with a bold, commanding personality. While I understand the desire for modern lines, thinner fonts, and a more contemporary aesthetic, I believe the updated design compromises the soul of the watch. With the removal of the Roman numerals, the focal point shifts entirely to the triangle formed by the sub-dials and the big date. In contrast, the original design balanced this upward focal point with the grounding effect of the numerals below the centerline. Without this balance, the moon phase indicator now feels isolated, “hanging” on its own.
Is this a deal breaker? Absolutely not. The second-generation Datograph Perpetual appeals to a broader audience with its streamlined design. The models also differentiate meaningfully from one another: the grey-dial version offers a sporty, masculine vibe, while the pink gold variant (ref. 410.032) exudes classic elegance and warmth.
As a side note, the pink gold Datograph Perpetual was discontinued as of 2022, further emphasizing its unique place in the collection’s history.
Datograph Perpetual Caliber L952.1
Calber L952.1 is basically the caliber L951.1 with a perpetual calendar module on top. Which means, the Datograph Perpetual offers the same breathtaking view from the back as its base. The three-dimensional construction of the movement brings an unrivaled depth; offering a myriad range of angles, finish techniques and anew excitement to feel at each glance.
Datograph Perpetual Caliber L952.1
The Datograph Perpetual’s movement is a masterpiece, where artistry and mechanics tangoes as if they are Anibal Troilo and Azucena Maizanı. The warm hue of the German silver bridges elegantly with the cool, brushed steel, while the gold chatons’ radiance complements the mirror-polished surfaces, creating a symphony of contrasts.
On the technical side, the caliber L952.1 comprises 556 parts, offering a modest 36-hour power reserve and operating at a beat rate of 18,000 bph. The perpetual calendar’s indications are not instantaneous but drag smoothly through their switching process, visible from 11 PM to 12:30 AM. The moonphase complication achieves remarkable precision, remaining accurate for 122.6 years. The chronograph mechanism is equally impressive, featuring a flyback function and an instantaneous minute counter.
However, one glaring shortfall stands out. For the Datograph Up/Down, Lange updated the movement to increase the power reserve from 36 hours to 60—a welcome improvement. Why, then, has the Datograph Perpetual’s caliber L952.1 been left with the same limitation? The absence of a power reserve indicator further compounds this shortcoming. Interestingly, these issues have been resolved in the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, which makes an update to the Datograph Perpetual line both highly anticipated and, arguably, overdue.
The perpetual calendar module, consists of 233 components yet measures a mere 1.9 mm in thickness. It incorporates a patented mechanism that requires only one switching pawl, simplifying the calendar’s operation and reducing the energy demands on the mainspring. This ingenious design, patented by Jens Schneider—the same visionary behind the Zeitwerk—is a testament to Lange’s relentless pursuit of precision and innovation.
Perpetual Calendar mechanism of Datograph / Langematik Perpetual
The Datograph Perpetual’s calendar mechanism is a classic one, operating on a 48-teeth month wheel with varying recesses according to the month’s length. In return, a lever carries the information received from the notched wheel to other indications and the calendar switches accordingly.
Buying an A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual
Platinum Datograph Perpetual’s (410.025) initial price in 2006 was €114,000 and €119,800 when it was discontinued in 2011. In return, the white gold (410.030) variant’s price was €82,500 in 2009 and €85,000 ($108,000) in 2011.
When Lange introduced second generation Datograph Perpetual in 2010/2011 with pink gold version, its retail price was €85,000. However; the next year, Lange increased the prices throughout the catalogue by a huge margin and Datograph Perpetual asking price went up to €94,600 in only one year. As of April 2023, the second generation Datograph Perpetual retails for $180,000. To put in persepctive, much, much more than the original platinum’s 2011 price, which most of it came within the last 2 years. Unfortunately for Lange, or fortunately for us enthusiasts, the second market prices did not follow such huge jumps.
The platinum Datograph Perpetual, 410.025, with regular leather strap has appeared numerous times auctions since 2009. For this period, the average price has been around $80-85k. On the other hand, the white gold Datograph Perpetual with grey dial’s first appearance at an auction was at Dr. Crott in mid 2010s – there, it was sold for around $80k. However, a lot has changed since then.
With the rising popularity of A. Lange & Söhne’s early references around 2020s, and especially the Datograph line, the Datograph Perpetual collection rised in popularity as well. For first generation of Datograph Perpetual, a quick search reveals that the platinum variant is currently (April 2023) available at the north of $90k whereas the white gold / grey dial Roman Numerals variant is asking a considerable premium simply because it is very much rarer.
The second generation Datograph Perpetual watches perform similarly to the first generation pieces and can be found for sale around $110 – 120k (white gold) in the secondary market. However, I do not see any reason other than taste to get a pre-owned second generation Datograph Perpetual. As mentioned, the change between generations is nothing but visual.
All in all, as the numbers demonstrate the Datograph collection stands as an exceptional value, especially in the secondary market – even more so in competition. Although it all comes down to taste; the watchmaking and craft one gets for these pieces is unrivaled.
Thank you.
I hope this was a valuable guide for whomever is looking for a Datograph Perpetual or just want to learn the details and history of these pieces. If you’d like to chat, sell or buy a Datograph Perpetual, please kindly reach out to me via [email protected]
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