One of my favorite A. Lange & Sohne watch designs of all time is the famous Datograph – and to think the design is over 11 years old now! For 2012 Lange is revisiting the Datrograph with a new and updated model that retains the desirability of the original watch. The new model will be called the Datograph Up/Down (Update: it was originally called the Datograph AUF/AB in German, but they changed the name to English).

The original Datograph was named as such because in addition to the time, it featured a big-date indicator (which Lange called its “out-sized date”) and a 30 minute chronograph. The “Datograph” name summed all that up nicely. For me the combination of light silver and black on the dial in addition to the symmetrical layout made it a gorgeous design.

The new Datograph Up/Down ads a power reserve indicator, which is the source of the new name. “Up/Down” stands for “up” and “down,” which are the indications on the power reserve indicator in all A. Lange & Sohne watches for whether the reserve is full or empty. The new watch has a power reserve of 60 hours thanks for to the new in-house made Caliber L.951.6. This is is 24 hours more than the original model. The new movement chronograph is a flyback with a column wheel operator. You can view the beautiful movement through the display back of the watch. No one else makes and decorates a movement quite like Lange.

While the original Datograph was 39mm wide the Datrograph Up/Down for 2012 will be 41mm wide. I appreciate the size increase. At first this Ref. 405.035 watch will be available only in a platinum case. I expect 18k gold versions to follow the year later or soon thereafter. The newer large size will look great I think.

In addition to the inclusion of a power reserve indicator the dial has been updated a bit from the original. Most noticeably are the use of all rhodiumed gold baton hour markers. The original Datograph used a few Roman numerals ones. The dial of the watch is solid silver with black application.

The new Datograph Up/Down is not meant to be a revolutionary step up from the Datrograph. The original was very popular but is no longer made. High demand for it prompted the brand to revisit the beautiful model, and Lange wanted to offer collectors what they wanted with a little extra. The new features and size are highly desirable and make for another Datograph very much worth lusting for. It will be matched to a dark blue-gray hand-stitched crocodile strap. Look for it in 2012.