The Unexpected Star of Lange’s Lineup: The 34mm 1815

When A. Lange & Söhne unveils a new watch, you expect something grand, maybe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar chiming on the hour, or a Triple Split pushing the boundaries of chronograph precision. But at this year’s fair, the watch that had everyone buzzing wasn’t a high-complication showstopper. It was something far more surprising: a 34mm 1815.

At 6.4mm thick, with a brand-new Caliber L152.1 inside, this isn’t just a scaled-down version of Lange’s classic dress watch. It’s a thoughtfully reengineered timepiece that might just be the brand’s most compelling release under $25,000 in years.

A Passionate Pitch from Lange’s Product Chief

If you’ve ever seen Anthony de Haas, Lange’s director of product development, present a new watch, you know it’s less of a corporate spiel and more of a masterclass in horological evangelism. His energy is electric, his knowledge encyclopedic. And when he introduced the 34mm 1815, he wasn’t just explaining specs, he was gushing like a proud father.

This wasn’t a lazy downsizing exercise. The team didn’t just shrink the case and slot in an existing movement. Instead, they redesigned the going train, relocated key components (like the click mechanism), and boosted the power reserve to 72 hours, up from the 38.5mm model’s 55. The result? A movement that feels satisfyingly tactile to wind, with a vintage-like smoothness that watch nerds (including us) couldn’t stop raving about.

The 34mm 1815: The Watch World’s Favourite "Little Man"

Picture an 8 year old who dresses like an 80-year old professor, complete with tweed jackets and a love for classic cars. That’s the 34mm 1815. small in stature but overflowing with old world charm.

Lange is famous for its high complications, but its real magic lies in restraint. The 1815 is a masterclass in German minimalism:

• Railroad minute track for precision readability
• Blued steel lancet hands (Lange’s version of BMW’s Hofmeister kink, a signature flourish)
• Solid silver dial with subtly snailed sub-seconds

It’s simple, austere, and unmistakably Lange, the kind of watch that whispers luxury rather than shouting it.

Why 34mm Matters

Lange isn’t new to modest case sizes. The original 1994 Saxonia was 33.9mm, and the first 1815 from 1995 measured 35.9mm. But in recent years, the brand had been phasing out its smaller offerings, leaving fans wondering if compact dress watches were a dying breed.

Then came this.

At 34mm (with 17mm lugs, a deliberate choice for better ergonomics), it’s a bold statement in an era of oversized watches. It’s also a refreshing rarity, a modern luxury watch that doesn’t feel the need to bulk up to impress.

The Verdict: Who Is This For?

Priced at $24,500, the 34mm 1815 sits between the Saxonia Thin ($23,500) and the 38.5mm 1815 ($31,100). But this isn’t just about price, it’s about philosophy.

Lange could have played it safe with a 36mm or 37mm release. Instead, they went smaller, knowing full well that the true enthusiasts, the collectors who appreciate vintage proportions, would cheer. And we did.

Final Thought: Lange’s Ultimate Time-Telling Machine

In a world of fast trends, Lange remains the uncompromising standard of horology. And with the 34mm 1815, they’ve proven that perfection doesn’t need to be complicated, or oversized.

Sometimes, the quietest watch in the room is the one that speaks the loudest.