Best Face Forward

Call them icons if you like, these instantly recognisable timepieces are the distinct faces of these watchmakers.

- Asaph Low

A. LANGE & SÖHNE GRAND LANGE 1 First introduced in 1994, the Lange 1 is widely regarded as the symbol of Saxon watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne. It was tasked with the unenviable task of revitalising the German manufacture following its revival but aced it emphatically as it gained acclaim amongst watch collectors and experts. Its asymmetrical dial layout is a design masterstroke — the off-center time display; patented outsized double date aperture and AUF/AB power reserve indicator — have made the Lange 1 instantly recognisable. Almost three decades on, the design remains virtually unchanged even with the introduction of this year’s Grand Lange 1. Dimensions are subtly tweaked as the 41mm diameter and 8.2mm thickness offers a more elegant proportion from the existing 38.5mm diameter and 9.8mm thickness. Recessed subsidiary dials with concentric lines and flat appliques are contrasted with gently bevelled chamfers to provide balanced transitions from the subsidiary dials to the granularly textured main dial. This allows high-contrast highlighting of the Roman numerals, lozenge-shaped markers in pink gold and hands. Two versions of the A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 are created — in either 18k pink or 18k white gold with a solid silver grey dial.

CARTIER SANTOS-DUMONT DE CARTIER