The 1815 Annual Calendar comes in two metals – white and rose gold. As you may know, I’m a sucker for white metals and decided to go with the white gold model you see here. The case measures 40mm in diameter and 10.1mm thick. It is the only 40mm watch in the 1815 collection, with the rest ranging from 38.5mm for the time-only model, to 55mm for the Grand Complication.
Watches at 40mm can be many things to many people – too big for some, too small for others, and still yet just right for others. The exact proportions and the details can make a big difference. For example, Lange bezels tend to be on the thinner side, and the bezel here is no exception, making the watch wear a little large. However, the watch neatly balances being both slender and sturdy, and it feels a commanding presence in the palm of your hand, with the right bit of heft, as anyone who has had the opportunity to handle a Lange knows well.
One of the nicest things about the case is the brushed band around the sides. Not every manufacturer pays attention to details like this, but Lange does, and it help sets the German watchmaker’s creations apart from those of competitors. The mix of the polished, rounded bezel and the brushed case band adds contrast and depth to what would otherwise be a relatively traditional case.