SIHH 2018
A. LANGE
& SÖHNE
TRIPLE SPLIT
The highlight of A. Lange & Söhne’s 2018 collection, the Triple Split, is the
first mechanical split-seconds chronograph anywhere to allow multi-hour
comparative time measurements. Additional rattrapante hands on the
minute and hour counters make it possible to stop lap and reference times
of events that last as long as twelve hours.
You may recall the firm’s 2004 Double Split. That much-heralded time-
piece allowed the first comparative measurements with a total duration of
30 minutes. This new watch, with its jumping rattrapante minute counter
and a continuous rattrapante hour counter, effectively multiplies the
measuring range of the rattrapante function by a factor of 24, says A Lange
& Söhne.
Thus the new watch can be used to time a wider range of events. For
example, the Triple Split can compare the times of two opponents in a
Formula 1 race, a Tour de France leg or a marathon. It is also possible to
add the times of multi-hour events, and any number of lap times can be
stopped during an additive time measurement.
This ability moves the discussion of mechanical multiple-event timing to
the next level, where for now A. Lange & Söhne sits alone as the master of
split-time chronograph technology.
A.Lange & Söhne explains how multiple-event timing works using the
88 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SPRING 2018
Triple Split: “In the passive mode, the respective hand pairs – sweep seconds,
minute- and hour-counter hands – are superposed. As soon as the measure-
ment is started, they all begin to run simultaneously until the rattrapante
pusher is pressed to freeze intermediate times. The three blued-steel hands
stop to display lap times while the seconds hand as well as the minute- and
hour-counter hands continue to run and measure the total time. A second
actuation of the rattrapante pusher causes the three stopped hands to catch
up and synchronize with the running hands that continue to measure the
duration of the event.”
The broader range of functions has been achieved with new manufacture
calibre L132.1, which requires a case no larger than was used for the Double
Split. The case measures the same 43.2mm in diameter, here in white gold.
Price:: $147,000.
SAXONIA
A.Lange & Söhne expands its thin, dressy Saxonia collection with three new
models. Look for an easier-to-read black dial on the new Saxonia Outsize Date
($25,900), while the Saxonia Moon Phase ($29,000) extends the general ap-
peal of this everyday collection with high-precision moon phase indicator. A
new dial made of solid silver and coated with a layer of blue goldstone makes