A. Lange & Söhne presents RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite” in white gold

The RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite”, first introduced in 2009, is a tribute to precision. A. Lange & Söhne has now launched a limited white-gold edition featuring a black dial

The horological brand A. Lange & Söhne has unveiled a limited edition of the RICHARD LANGE “Pour le Mérite”, which aims to improve rate accuracy. The new version in white gold with a black dial had its debut at the company’s international dealer convention in Dresden on September 22, 2016. Its fusée-and-chain transmission ensures constant torque and superb rate accuracy.

Since the collection was showcased in 1994, the exclusive timepieces with the “Pour le Mérite” attribute represent the technological avant-gardism at A. Lange & Söhne. Each of the four models in the collection has a fusée-and-chain mechanism. The new white-gold edition complements the pink-gold and platinum versions, which are now sold out.

This edition has a white-gold case of 40.5MM diameter, with white Roman numerals and rhodiumed gold hands contrasting the black silver dial. Small Arabic numerals in red for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes add colour to the black-and-white design. A hand-stitched black alligator leather strap with solid white-gold buckle adds elegance.

Inspired by historic pocket watches and integrated into a wristwatch by A. Lange & Söhne for the first time, the fusée-and-chain mechanism guarantees constant torque and thus stability of the amplitude of the balance across the entire power-reserve range. Wrapped around the mainspring barrel, the chain delivers the power of the mainspring to the wheel train via the cone-shaped fusée, keeping the torque constant.

When the watch is fully wound, the chain pulls at the smaller circumference of the fusée, i.e. at the shorter lever. Conversely, when the mainspring’s tension is nearly depleted, the chain pulls at the larger circumference of the fusée, the longer lever. The mechanism is like a bicycle gear except that the gear ratios are infinitely variable rather than fixed.

The 636-part chain can support over two kilograms. But to fully exploit the device, two separate mechanisms that block the winding system before fully wound and fully unwound states have been added. Both prevent the chain – only 0.25MM thick and 156MM long – from being overstressed.

The fusée-and-chain transmission causes the fusée to rotate in one direction during the winding process and in the opposite direction when the watch is running, making it necessary that the watch continues to run even when it is being wound. An elaborate planetary gearing, of 38 tiny parts, inside the fusée maintains the flow of power from the fusée to the movement during winding.

The sapphire-crystal case back showcases the important parts of the fusée-and-chain device. A lavishly hand-crafted manufacture calibre L044.1, with a freely oscillating Lange hairspring powers the large screw balance at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. This limited edition of 218 reflects the current number of global points of sale at which A. Lange & Söhne timepieces are available.