A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Kalenderwoche
November 2020 – Updated July 2025
I have a special affinity towards A. Lange & Söhne’s early special editions. They are, with the true meaning of the word, special. Indeed, back in the days, the attraction of a special edition was not coming just from a case material or dial color change; but creating whole new watches that are launched to celebrate a worthy occassion – such as Lange 1A, 1815 Cuvette or Emil Lange. This one here is one of the last in line: 1815 Kalenderwoche (Calendar Week) a special edition made for Huber of Munich on the event of the retailer’s 150th anniversary.
1815 Kalenderwoche was launched in 2006 in three different metals: yellow gold (245.021), pink gold (245.032) and platinum (245.025), each metal is limited to 50 pieces and carries an argenté dial. Measuring at a beautiful 38.4 mms in diameter and 9.8 mms in thickness with a lug width of 20 mms, the 1815 Kalenderwoche is a joy to wear.
The case houses two pushers on the right hand-side, reminding a chronograph, though could not be further from it. The pusher at 2 o’clock is for the day and 4 o’clock for the week indication at the periphery of the dial. Constructed as the typical A. Lange & Söhne case structure, it is built on three levels, featuring alternating polished and brushed finishing. The lugs are notched and mirror polished at the base and screwed into the case; seamlessly separating from the case and flourishing towards the strap.
Lange’s 1815 design is an extremely strong template. Any 1815 edition simply fascinates me, because every single touch, inscription or color addition elevates the design towards the right direction and the 1815 Kalenderwoche is not an exception. Built on the familiar 1815 template, Kalenderwoche smoothly departures from its traditional roots without alienating itself. The week indication at the periphery of the dial gives some sort of a pulsometer feeling and makes the watch slightly crowded, though I am perfectly fine with it.
1815 Kalenderwoche carries all the hallmarks of an 1815 watch: Railway minute track, thick Arabic numerals, three-dots on each 15 minutes markers and a recessed sub-dial. Of course, the brand’s custom typography blends with the arrangement just perfectly. The time hands are made of blued-steel for yellow and pink gold versions and rhodium plated gold for the platinum version.
The outer ring of the dial carries the week of the year indication and the subdial days and running seconds. Knowing that in 2006, the 1815 collection was offered in 36 mms, it can be said that the week indication contributes as much as 2.4 mms. I especially love how the markers were utilized to indicate odd numbers.
The watch has some real-life benefits in the German Speaking business world as most projects are done on a weekly basis. It is also a nice memento – reminding you how long have passed since and how much we got in a year. Though 1815 Kalenderwoche’s usability would be much better if there was a date indication somewhere, perhaps around the seconds sub dial instead of the day of the week.
This special edition carries the workhorse caliber L045.1, which is based on the caliber l941.1 of many 1815 and Saxonia pieces for more than 20 years. A characteristic and very well-finished movement from A. Lange & Söhne, caliber l045.1 houses 45 hours of power reserve and beats at a traditional 3 Hz. However, the movement measures at a mere 25 mms; hence, it is a bit small for the case. Still, that does not steal neither from the beauty of the movement nor the watch overall.
The movement features additional golden lettered engravings in the middle “ANDREAS HUBER MÜNCHEN 1856-2006”. The three-quarter plate is beautifully striped, the click is exposed and the color harmony formed by blued screws, gold chatons and the hue of the German Silver is a delight as usual. Free hand-engraved balance cock proudly sits next to the striped plate and accompanied by the flat polished escape wheel cap.
1815 Kalenderwoche Price / Market
When launched in 2006, the price for the 1815 Kalenderwoche was €20,000 (about $24,000) for the gold versions and €32,000 (ca. $40,000) for the platinum version. For comparison, the slightly complicated 1815 Up / Down was $17,200 in gold and $23,400 in platinum. 1815 Kalenderwoche was indeed commanding a sizable premium, approximating to the 1815 Chronoraph range even.
The delightful platinum version of the 1815 Kalenderwoche
Ever since its launch, the 1815 Kalenderwoche appeared numerous times in auctions, as well as changed hands in private dealings. Albeit in the early 2010s it was selling at low to mid $20,000 range, with the recent surging interest both towards A. Lange & Söhne, hence its early and more exotic special editions, 1815 Kalenderwoche stepped up to the stage. During a recent Phillips auction in 2025, a pink gold example commanded a very much successful $53,000, including the premium.
This is a gem that makes a rare appearance. Understandably, the owners cherish such a piece, knowing there might not be another chance. 150 pieces overall is not a low number, but despite the sizable production, the 1815 Kalenderwoche appeared about 10-12 times since its inception.
Overall, this is a splendid watch to have in every aspect. It is beautifully designed around a novel idea that is rather impossible to find with any other example. From a bygone era where Lange was honoring long-standing partners with new designs and movements as a special edition.
I hope this was a valuable guide for whomever is looking for an 1815 Kalenderwoche or just want to learn the details and history of these pieces. If you’d like to chat, sell or buy an 1815 Kalenderwoche, please kindly reach out to me via alp@langepedia.com
Further Reading
Please feel free to contact:
Follow Langepedia on Instagram:
Watch “A. Lange Story” Documentary, in partnership with The 1916 Company:
STAY IN TOUCH
Sign up for the newsletter to get to know first about rare pieces at Marketplace and in-depth articles added to the encyclopedia, for you to make the most informed choice, and first access!