Alongside A. Lange & Söhne’s six core collections – the Lange 1, Saxonia, 1815, Richard Lange, Zeitwerk and Odysseus – there is actually a seventh collection produced in such few numbers that at any one time there is generally only one version available. That’s if it isn’t sold out completely. I’m talking about their rectangle-cased Cabaret, which makes its return to the fold after a period of absence with a new edition: the A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Tourbillon Honeygold.
The new interpretation is essentially a honeygold version of 2021’s Cabaret Tourbillon Handwerkskunst though the dial is a modicum more restrained. However, the overall structure and shape of the rectangular case is identical. It measures 29.5mm width x 39.2mm length x 10.3mm thickness, with a smooth, polished bezel stepped above polished lugs and a brushed case body. The honeygold (a proprietary alloy of the brand) gives it a warm, rich lustre partway between yellow and rose gold.
While it might not look like it at first glance, the dial is also produced from honeygold. It has been given a black rhodium coating to create a dark background that highlights the exposed honeygold relief elements (the double frame around the centre and outer edge, timing scales and brand logo), the applied hour markers and big date border.
The layout of the dial naturally draws the eye downwards to where a lot of the action is happening at 6 o’clock. There’s the twin subdials displaying small seconds and power reserve indication, but the real centrepiece is the tourbillon. It uses a stop seconds mechanism that holds the cage and spring in place when you are setting the watch to allow for pinpoint accuracy – Lange was actually the first brand in the world to introduce a stop seconds tourbillon back in 2008. To highlight the mechanism further, the top bridge holding it in place has a black polish finish, sometimes called a mirror finish, this is a high sheen polish that is so reflective that from certain angles the metal appears black.
Powering the tourbillon is the calibre L042.1, a manual wind movement with 120-hour power reserve. That’s a really high reserve for a regular watch let alone one with a power intensive tourbillon. It’s also decorated to within an inch of its life in typical A. Lange & Söhne fashion. It has a German silver three-quarter plate featuring diagonal Glashütte stripes. It also has a hand-engraved tourbillon cock and intermediate wheel cock.
The A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Tourbillon Honeygold is a limited edition of 50 pieces. The Cabaret series, especially a tourbillon model, is typically price on request but we have been told that it’s approximately €300,000 (approx. £260,000). While the Handwerkskunst series is upheld as the pinnacle of Lange’s high finishing and Metiers d’Art creations, I actually prefer the warmer tone of the honeygold and slightly more restrained dial of this version.
Price and Specs:
More details at A. Lange & Söhne.
