A. Lange & Söhne has introduced the Minute Repeater Perpetual, a horological marvel that unites two of watchmaking’s most sophisticated complications—the minute repeater and perpetual calendar—into a single, exquisitely crafted timepiece. Limited to just 50 examples, the watch features a newly developed movement and a striking black enamel dial housed in a 40.5mm platinum case, ensuring impeccable acoustics and visual grandeur.
A Symphony of Sounds
The minute repeater mechanism chimes the time on demand, producing a rich auditory experience: a deep tone marks the hours, a double strike signals quarter hours, and a higher-pitched note counts the minutes. Comprising 191 meticulously adjusted components, this intricate system requires masterful assembly and tuning by Lange’s watchmakers. The watch’s acoustic brilliance is enhanced by two finely tuned gongs and hammers, capable of 720 distinct chime sequences—one for every minute in a 12-hour cycle. Through the sapphire caseback, the striking mechanism’s “orchestra pit” is visible, showcasing the polished hammers’ precise dance. The design also incorporates practical innovations, such as a “quiet mode” that eliminates pauses between strikes and a safety lock to protect the mechanism when the crown is pulled.
Perpetual Calendar: Precision Beyond a Lifetime
While the minute repeater marks the present, the perpetual calendar extends its accuracy for generations. It automatically adjusts for months of varying lengths and leap years, requiring no correction until March 1, 2100. The moonphase display, accurate for 122.6 years, complements the calendar’s complexity, yet all functions can be adjusted via a single pusher for effortless use.
Aesthetic Mastery
The matte-black enamel dial elegantly organizes the watch’s many displays. At 9 o’clock, a subdial shows the day and day/night indicator; at 3 o’clock, the month and leap year; and at 6 o’clock, small seconds and a moonphase adorned with hand-engraved stars and domed gold moons. Each subdial is framed by a white gold liseré, reflecting Lange’s dedication to detail. Powering the watch is the hand-wound L122.1 caliber, a 600-part movement with a 72-hour power reserve. Finished to Lange’s exacting standards, it features a hand-engraved balance cock and swan-neck regulator—visible testaments to the brand’s craftsmanship.
Exclusivity and Legacy
With only 50 pieces available, the Minute Repeater Perpetual represents the pinnacle of A. Lange & Söhne’s technical and artistic prowess—a timepiece designed to resonate across centuries.
