A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
An adage to Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon – April 2020
This is a watch that encompasses all the ingenuity and experience of the watchmakers from Glashütte. It is a true example of how A. Lange & Söhne is still learning, developing and indeed, never stands still. Yet, without concrete examples these are just words thrown around. We need pictures, close-ups and there are many in this article. I hope to fill every expectation created with such an entrance with bits and pieces given in the relevant parts of the article. Please enjoy – because with this watch, that is all a watch enthusiast can do: Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon.
Quick Facts:
- Introduced in 2016
- Available in platinum and gold
- Measures 41.5 mm in diameter and 14.6 mm in thickness
- The most complicated Datograph model as of 2022
- Hacking tourbillon and instantenous perpetual calendar mechanism
I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan. If we ever got attacked by aliens and they asked us, What have you done for all these years? I think the series is one of the achievements to show… You know, the book basically revolves around the One Ring, created by the Dark Lord Sauron — a ring that holds irresistible temptation among all races. Now you might say, Dude, what the hell are you talking about? But please excuse me. My admiration for this watch awakens the Smeagol in me.
A. Lange & Söhne introduced the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in 2016. Measuring 41.9 mm in diameter and a rather proportionate 14.6 mm in thickness, with a dense platinum case, the watch is heavy, assertive, and present. Indeed, it poses a density that can match its superb complexity. I think this is one of the best watches to carry A. Lange & Söhne’s engineered approach to case design.
The Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon’s case is constructed in three steps, in classic A. Lange & Söhne fashion. The protruding caseback is brushed from the back and polished towards the sides, which gives the illusion of thinness. The caseband, also brushed, contrasts with the caseback, the bezel above, and the continuing, notched, polished lugs. At the top, the bezel is polished. The bezel starts straight and then slightly closes in towards the center to align with the dial.
As you might infer from its size, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is not exactly the most comfortable watch on the wrist. It feels top-heavy, and due to the extended, protruding caseback, sometimes a bit wobbly. However, it’s a presence you just love to feel. It constantly reminds you what kind of horological arsenal you’re carrying. It grabs attention once in a while, giving you the perfect excuse to look at it — and when you do, you often forget to read the time and just get lost within that dial.
To give you a reference point, I find its comfort very similar to the first-generation Datograph. That’s why the piece comes with a platinum deployant buckle, which perfectly balances its weight.
On the case side, as with all A. Lange & Söhne perpetual calendars, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon features a corrector pusher for the calendar indications. Thanks to this arrangement, all indications can be moved forward by one increment. There are also recessed pushers on the caseband that allow you to move the indications separately.
However, it’s really the dial where we see A. Lange & Söhne’s progress over the years.
When A. Lange & Söhne started in 1994, they had to come up with their own identity to distinguish themselves from the established competition. This approach shaped their watches — from cases to typography to movement architecture. In line with this philosophy, A. Lange & Söhne’s journey into complications and dial design has mostly been unorthodox. For example, every watch with a date — except the 1815 and Richard Lange collections, which are purely based on traditional designs — carries a big date window. Such a strong design element naturally dictates and, in a way, limits the rest of the dial layout.
Until the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, A. Lange & Söhne had executed perpetual calendars and chronographs both together and separately. For instance, the Langematik Perpetual utilizes the big date window and serves the rest of the calendar information in respective sub-dials, with a hanging leap-year indication. The Datograph Perpetual, which came out in 2006, improves upon the perpetual calendar complication, but still with hanging indications. In my opinion, both of these pieces lack a certain balance, with indications seemingly hanging from somewhere. But it was part of the learning curve.
Fast-forward to 2016 — with the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, A. Lange & Söhne finally found the most optimal layout that could carry the signature big date.
With the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, there are no more hanging sub-dials. The dial now appears symmetrical, thought-out, and serious. The day/night and leap-year indications are very well integrated within the sub-dials as a third layer. To avoid further use of hands, the indications are now displayed via discs — an improvement both design-wise and technically.
On the other hand, the hierarchy within the sub-dials could have been better. Since reading the day — and, to a degree, the month — is more important than reading the running seconds, one improvement might have been placing the calendar indications on the periphery of the sub-dials. Still, I must admit that the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon offers by far the most balanced and optimal information layout in the entire high-complications collection.
The platinum version carries the fan-favorite black date discs. Back in the day, A. Lange & Söhne produced a “Darth” Datograph in full black as a unique piece. Since then, the blackest we had was the reference 403.035. With the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, the menacing look returned — and it’s obvious this was part of a trend… The 1815 Chronograph followed just a year later in dark mode. A trend that I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to seeing in its next iteration.
The dial is crafted from solid silver for the platinum version (740.046) and pink gold for the white gold version (740.056). The Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon’s dial is a feast of patterns and layers. A closer look reveals the grained surface and fine finishing. The sub-dials are given concentric circles to further differentiate them from the main dial and increase legibility. No two elements blend together; every part delivers information in its own style and on its own level.
Another improvement on the dial could have been the placement of the chronograph seconds’ hash marks. The chronograph seconds hand extends through the tachymeter scale; hence, it would have been better if the tip of the hand matched the hash marks. In return, this would have given more space to the dial, too.
The power reserve indication placed around the tachymeter scale is just genius. The power reserve indicator on the Datograph Up/Down kind of breaks the balance. The Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, however, takes this element and enhances the balance even further. Just a brilliant touch.
The moonphase disc at 6 o’clock, despite its limited size, has a charm that few others can match. Crafted from solid white gold for both references, it is accurate to 122.6 years in continuous operation. It gives that romantic touch to this overly engineered, overly German beast — makes the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon feel a bit more restrained.
Overall, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon preserves the balance its patriarch struck in 1999 masterfully. From the multi-faceted baton markers to the broad lumed hands, as well as the color harmony of both references, the watch is a true masterpiece of design — and I must say, apart from only a few points mentioned above, it is impeccable.
One final note on the white gold version: its chameleon dial. This is one of those watches you have to see before you buy, because every photo of it you’re going to find online will look different. Pink gold’s appearance depends drastically on the lighting, and it’s best judged with your own eyes.
Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in white gold case with pink gold dial. Sold at Langepedia x 1916 Company Marketplace
Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon - Caliber L952.2
Sure, the dial side is extremely charming, balanced, soothing. Yet, despite its attraction, it is not even the main show. Watch fans know that a chronograph from Lange creates an irresistible temptation. However, this… This is something else.
The Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon offers a view from the back which in my opinion cannot be matched by any other A. Lange & Söhne watch. I still remember my awe when I first laid my eyes upon the magnificence of the caliber L952.2. I had to pinch my arm to convince myself that this thing was real, and they actually managed to develop over the Datograph’s caliber L951.1. Well, here it was, as real and giant as Napoleon’s arrogance.
A. Lange & Söhne introduced the caliber L951.1 in 1999. To many, the movement shook the watchmaking world from the ground. Simply because none of the big brands at the time, neither Patek Philippe nor Vacheron Constantin or Audemars Piguet had their own chronograph movements. Technically it was a traditional, horizontal clutch column-wheel chronograph caliber. However, those curves, the finish, the construction… Even today, it is regarded by many as the most beautiful chronograph movement ever made.
The Best. Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in platinum.
Caliber L952.2 of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is the continuation of such heritage. Anthony De Haas, the product development director of A. Lange & Söhne since 2004, also points out that keeping the proportions and aesthetics of the caliber L951.1 was the paramount consideration while adapting the movement to carry a tourbillon. I say they have done a brilliant job.
As the name speaks, Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon’s caliber L952.2 carries a flyback chronograph with instantaneous minute counter, an instantaneous perpetual calendar, and a tourbillon. It is made of 729 parts, offers 50 hours of power reserve from a single barrel and beats at 2.5Hz.
Mr. De Haas further continues on the construction of the movement: It was hard to construct this while respecting the proportions of the original mechanism. On the other hand, you have to create enough space to integrate a nice and big tourbillon cage… The energy balance in the movement however was the main problem to solve.
Imagine that you are the owner of this magnificent watch. 6 hours before midnight, the spring that powers the instantaneous perpetual calendar indications starts to charge up. In the meantime, you decide to play with the chronograph, which creates another layer of friction, thus, requires energy. And finally, we have the running train as usual. When all of these happen, there should not be a loss in amplitude. Indeed, timekeeping is at paramount importance and even when all three mechanisms are activated, Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon manages to keep fantastic time.
I believe understanding the working principles of these watches make them much more enjoyable. Therefore, I’d like to deep dive into its technicality and hope to elevate the pleasure you’re going to get from this piece.
Inner Workings
The top half of the caliber l952.2 carries the chronograph mechanism, and the brain of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon’s “graph” part is the column wheel with 8 teeth, at the bottom of the capture above. When the button at 2 o’clock is pressed, the operating lever spins the column-wheel. With this move, the tail of the clutch lever (the middle part with gold chaton and three screws) falls in between the pillars of the column wheel. Clutch lever then moves horizontally and meshes with the chronograph wheel (at the top of the image) and the chronograph starts running.
To stop, the exact movement is performed in reverse. You can also note the minute counter bridge towards the left and the claw shaped flyback lever towards the middle.
The flyback also works with a similar principle. When the button at 4 o’clock is pressed, the flyback lever pushes the heart lever which is connected to the flyback lever (the claw shaped, polished part in the middle). Therefore, when the heart lever is pressed downwards, it presses the flyback lever to the left; thus, the flyback lever presses the coupling wheel and detaches it from the chronograph seconds wheel and stops the chronograph.
Since the chronograph is a user activated mechanism, it has to work on extremely tight tolerances both for safety and ease of operation. Adjustment of all these wheels and gears requires meticulous work, experience, and dexterity. Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, as its patriarch, excels in that buttery-smooth pusher feeling.
The top half of the caliber l952.2 carries the chronograph mechanism, and the brain of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon’s “graph” part is the column wheel with 8 teeth, at the bottom of the capture above. When the button at 2 o’clock is pressed, the operating lever spins the column-wheel. With this move, the tail of the clutch lever (the middle part with gold chaton and three screws) falls in between the pillars of the column wheel. Clutch lever then moves horizontally and meshes with the chronograph wheel (at the top of the image) and the chronograph starts running.
The flyback also works with a similar principle. When the button at 4 o’clock is pressed, the flyback lever pushes the heart lever which is connected to the flyback lever (the claw shaped, polished part in the middle). Therefore, when the heart lever is pressed downwards, it presses the flyback lever to the left; thus, the flyback lever presses the coupling wheel and detaches it from the chronograph seconds wheel and stops the chronograph.
Since the chronograph is a user activated mechanism, it has to work on extremely tight tolerances both for safety and ease of operation. Adjustment of all these wheels and gears requires meticulous work, experience, and dexterity. Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, as its patriarch, excels in that buttery-smooth pusher feeling.
Another delightful detail on the caseback is obviously the giant tourbillon mechanism. Prior to Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, A. Lange & Söhne utilized the hidden tourbillon only for the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon in 2012. However, the tourbillon cage for the Lange 1 model was just too small, hidden beneath gears. It was hard to notice its craft and charm. Here, apparently a part of the mentioned learning curve, we are greeted with a giant cage, measuring 12.6 mm in diameter.
Its construction and finish are absolutely impeccable. Built in a traditional Glashütte fashion with three arms, the cage carries the top-notch craft that one can get from A. Lange & Söhne. The tourbillon carries a myriad of sharp inward angles, brushed and polished surfaces and a diamond end-stone on top to crown this jewel.
It is not only a beautifully constructed tourbillon but also a technical marvel. Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon comes with a stop-tourbillon mechanism. It was patented by A. Lange & Söhne in 2008 with the introduction of the Cabaret Tourbillon. Since then, this delicate mechanism appeared in numerous pieces and the caliber L952.2 is the last one to house this patent.
When the crown is pulled, a fine lever touches the balance wheel. This action halts the operation without damaging any gear; thus, allows for precise time-setting. However, please note that A. Lange & Söhne is not the only one to manage to stop the tourbillon. Glashütte Original improved upon this mechanism with a zero-reset tourbillon mechanism in the last years.
Apart from all this finishing, technicality and complexity, what makes Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, or any watch with a Datograph in it for that matter, is its three-dimensional construction. The watch, and the mechanism just absorbs you to get lost in it. With countless angles, bridges, it has a glamour, a charisma so to speak, that only a very few can demonstrate. You just want to shrink and take a tour in it. Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is nothing less than a Wonder Land for any watch enthusiast.
The under the dial side of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon deserves a round of applause too. The perpetual calendar is there with all its glory. I must say that I am a fan of Datograph Lumen, but I cannot even begin to fathom the attraction of a possible Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon Lumen with all the intricate mechanism visible behind the smoked sapphire glass, observable every mid-night.
Even the parts under the dial is finished to an acceptable degree. You see levers that are brushed and chamfered, base plate with perlage and and wheels with solarisation. Even if nobody is going to see them, this shows the manufacture’s respect to itself, to its craft and the client. And yes, until that day comes, I am going to keep dreaming a Lumen on this one.
Just like the Datograph Perpetual, for the safety of the calendar mechanism, the corrector pusher at 10 o’clock is automatically disengaged between 10PM to 2AM.
An overview of the instantaneous perpetual calendar mechanism of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon. Courtesy of Lange Uhren GmbH
Fishy vs. Darth
A. Lange & Söhne introduced the platinum reference 740.036 in 2016, limited to 100 pieces. Following the much deserved success of the piece (it is one of the very few Lange watches to hold its value, relatively, that is above $250k) we were greeted with the reference 740.056 with the fashionable pink gold (salmon) dial in 2019 with white gold case.
It was not the first time that A. Lange & Söhne tried the pink gold dial. Indeed, all the way back in 1994, A. Lange & Söhne produced a unique Tourbillon Pour le Mérite in platinum with pink gold dial. So, Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon is the second in line.
The platinum and white gold variants are vastly different. While the platinum version hids itself from the curious eyes, appearing in full menacing black, the white gold version rules with its presence and surely a crowd pleaser. The platinum is more versatile, more in line with the “stealth-wealth” notion of the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon. The salmon on the other hand asks for the looks, and deservedly gets them.
Is there a better one? Obviously not. It all depends on the taste and what you like. Is there a more A. Lange & Söhne one – one that is humble, silent? Yes, there is.
Buying a Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
In 2016, Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in platinum (740.036F) was launched with a MSRP of $300k. Being limited to 100 pieces at such price, it was a hard sell which I believe it took couple of years to clean all. Some fell into grey market etc… The watch hit the auction block for the first time on 26 November 2018 at Christie’s. There, including the premium, Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in platinum sold for $257k.
Considering the huge losses of highly complicated A. Lange & Söhne watches such as Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, Tourbograph Perpetual, Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon, it is safe to say that the piece held its grounds pretty well for complicated Lange standards.
Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon re-surfaced once again on 20 July 2020, again at Christie’s. This time, it was sold at $243k.
The white gold version on the other hand comes with a MSRP of $287k and never appeared at a public sale since then. Only one dealer got hands on an example and to my knowledge, the piece sold close to its retail price.
What must be known is that the attraction of Datograph has increased tremendously since the last time this watch came to an auction. First generation models demand substantial amounts (compared to a year ago). This recognition spread through all models and obviously, and it would not be a surprise if the majesty of the collection takes its share from this marvel of watchmaking.
Thank you.
I hope this was a valuable guide for whomever is looking for a Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon or just want to learn the details and history of these pieces. If you’d like to chat, sell or buy a Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, please kindly reach out to me via alp@langepedia.com
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