W&W 2021: A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split Blue Dial. A Feat of Horology.

When A. Lange & Söhne presented the Triple Split Chronograph in 2018, it was lauded as a global premiere by the international trade press. The only split-seconds chronograph in the world to date that can measure additive and comparative times for as long as twelve hours is in a league of its own. Now, it is followed by a model with a pink gold case and a blue dial. The Triple Spit in pink gold with a blue dial Introduced in 2018, the Triple Split is the world’s only mechanical split-seconds chronograph that allows the measurement of intermediate and reference times for durations of up to twelve hours.

The former edition in white gold with a grey dial is now followed by a second version in a limited edition of 100 timepieces in 18K pink gold —43.2 mm in diameter— with a blue dial and rhodium-colored subsidiary dials. Despite the wealth of displayed information, an ingenious material and color concept makes it easy to clearly assign each of the ten hands to a specific function. There is no other watch in the world that compares with the Triple Split. It is a logical evolution of the Double Split introduced by A. Lange & Söhne in 2004. With a precisely jumping rattrapante minute counter, it was no doubt already an impressive milestone in the development of modern rattrapante mechanisms conceived by the Saxon watchmakers.

Stopping times of up to twelve hours are possible with the Triple Split that alone is a rarity in a mechanical chronograph. The extension of the rattrapante function to the hour counter offers a multitude of further possibilities. For instance, the Triple Split can compare the times of two opponents in a Formula One race, a Tour de France stage, or a marathon. The time measurement is started by pressing the chronograph pusher at 2 o'clock. The pairs of hands now run synchronously until they are separated by pressing the rattrapante pusher at 10 o'clock to perform a lap-time measurement. The three rhodium hands will then stop to display the lap time. All the while, the previously concealed chronograph hands in gold-plated steel or pink gold continue the time measurement. As soon as the rattrapante pusher is pressed again, the rattrapante hands catch up with the chronograph hands and from then on run together with them again.

The movement is also endowed with a flyback function that involves all three hand pairs as well. Thus, the chronograph can be reset to zero by pressing the chronograph pusher at 4 o’clock during an ongoing time measurement. Releasing the pusher instantly starts a new time measurement.

In the starting position, the three rhodiumed rattrapante hands are superposed on the respective chronograph hands. The time measurement is started by pressing the chronograph pusher at 2 o'clock. The pairs of hands now run synchronously until they are separated by pressing the rattrapante pusher at 10 o'clock to perform a lap-time measurement. The three rhodiumed hands will then stop to display the lap time. All the while, the previously concealed chronograph hands in gold-plated steel or pink gold continue the time measurement. As soon as the rattrapante pusher is pressed again, the rattrapante hands catch up with the chronograph hands and from then on run together with them again.

The movement is also endowed with a flyback function that involves all three hand pairs as well. Thus, the chronograph can be reset to zero by pressing the chronograph pusher at 4 o’clock during an ongoing time measurement. Releasing the pusher instantly starts a new time measurement.

The Lange calibre L132.1 is a movement that stands out with its three-dimensionality, complexity, and architecturally pleasing design. It highlights the finissage that is typical of the individual Lange components. Overall, 567 tiny parts are perfectly adjusted for flawless interaction. This complexity is not a show, it is mechanically necessary to enable this unique Triple Split function. The creation of a mechanism that makes it possible to collectively or separately control three hand pairs represented a formidable technical challenge for Lange’s developers. Even a simple rattrapante mechanism has two hands attached to arbors that run one inside the other. In the calibre L132.1, this pairing exists three times. During the assembly of the movement, the multiple function axes call for the utmost precision and virtuosity.

A glance through the sapphire-crystal case back reveals the chronograph movement that is finished to the strictest Lange standards and adjusted to assure the perfect interaction of column wheels, clutches, rockers, levers, springs, and jumpers. Five gold chatons, traditionally secured with screws on bridges decorated with Glashütte ribbing as well as the hand-engraved balance cock round off the stylish prominence of the movement. Thus, the Triple Split is an exceptional timepiece, not only technically but also as regards its flawless artisanship; in the chronograph class, it plays in a league of its own.

The A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split Blue Dial is available in a limited edition of 100 pieces.

Sticker Price $164,400 USD. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.