The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” is a 2017 tribute watch distinguished by a central seconds hand that jumps once per second and can be started or stopped with a pusher at 2 o’clock. Its three limited gold editions are separate from a unique stainless-steel version sold at a charity auction in 2018.
What the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” commemorates
A. Lange & Söhne introduced the watch on 6 December 2017, honoring Walter Lange, who died in January of that year. The model joined the 1815 family and drew on a jumping-seconds mechanism associated with an 1867 invention by Ferdinand Adolph Lange. The manufacturer says an improved version received one of the first patents granted to A. Lange & Söhne in Germany, in 1877. Read the manufacturer’s 2017 launch announcement.
The movement designation L1924 refers to Walter Lange’s birth year. The reference numbers begin with 297, which the manufacturer connects to his birth date, 29 July.
How the jumping-seconds mechanism works
The watch shows seconds in two ways. A small subsidiary-seconds hand at 6 o’clock advances in six steps per second, while a blued central sweep-seconds hand makes a distinct jump from one second marker to the next. Pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock starts or stops the central hand; it is not a conventional continuously sweeping chronograph seconds hand. A. Lange & Söhne describes the watch as mastering both chronometric disciplines and explains that the pusher controls the jumping hand. Manufacturer’s explanation of the complication.
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The maker describes the mechanism as a “flirt-and-star” arrangement: a lever is released by a five-point star, rotates, and is arrested at the next point. That action produces the one-second jump. The subsidiary hand’s six steps per second offer a contrasting, finer indication of elapsed seconds.
Gold editions and production quantities
The gold watches were made in three limited editions. The edition counts are tied by the manufacturer to milestones in the Lange company’s history; these are production quantities, not current availability figures.
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| Metal | Reference | Edition quantity | Historical connection cited by the manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| White gold | 297.026 | 145 watches | 145 years from the firm’s 1845 founding to Walter Lange’s 1990 registration of Lange Uhren GmbH |
| Pink gold | 297.032 | 90 watches | The year 1990, when Walter Lange registered Lange Uhren GmbH |
| Yellow gold | 297.021 | 27 watches | 27 years from the 1990 registration to the watch’s 2017 presentation |
Edition counts and reference designations are listed on the manufacturer’s 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” family page.
Reference 297.026: specifications and collection status
Reference 297.026 is the 18-carat white-gold version. A. Lange & Söhne lists it as outside its current collection, so the listing documents the model and its specifications rather than indicating that it is currently for sale.
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- Well Made: 316L stainless steel case, flexible watchband and fold-over clasp with safety, synthetic Sapphire crystal dial glass, scratch resistant
- Mechanical Movement: imported Japan Miyota 8215 Automatic movement, chronograph,precisely timekeeping
- Luminous Dial and Hands/Comfortable Solid Steel Bracelet/Push Button Hidden Clasp
- Sapphire Glass/ Diameter: 36.5MM without Crown / Case Thickness : 11MM/ Lug to Lug= 45MM
- Waterproof Wristwatch: 50M waterproof, package included: new original Specht&Sohne watch, warranty card, and box and band tool
| Specification | Reference 297.026 |
|---|---|
| Case | 18-carat white gold; 40.5 mm diameter; 10.7 mm height |
| Dial and hands | Solid-silver argenté dial; blued-steel hands |
| Movement | Caliber L1924; manually wound; 253 parts |
| Rate | 3 Hz (21,600 semi-oscillations per hour) |
| Power reserve | 60 hours |
| Water resistance | 3 bar |
| Strap and buckle | Black alligator strap; white-gold prong buckle |
| Edition | 145 pieces |
| Collection status | Not part of the current collection, according to the manufacturer |
These specifications apply to the white-gold 297.026 listing; they should not automatically be assumed for the pink- or yellow-gold references. See the manufacturer’s reference 297.026 product page.
The one-off steel watch was a separate charity-auction piece
The stainless-steel “Homage to Walter Lange” was not a fourth gold-edition variant or part of the gold production quantities. A. Lange & Söhne identifies it as the only example ever made in a steel case; it had a black enamel dial segment and was dedicated to Walter Lange. Phillips Geneva auctioned it on 13 May 2018. The manufacturer reported a result of CHF 852,500 including buyer’s premium, with proceeds going to Children Action Foundation. Manufacturer’s report on the auction.
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That figure is the historical result for this unique charity-auction watch. It does not establish a current valuation for any of the gold editions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a prospective buyer should verify
The manufacturer’s page confirms that white-gold reference 297.026 is no longer in its current collection, but it does not establish current resale prices or inventory. A secondhand listing should be assessed as the exact reference and metal being offered, not simply as a “Homage to Walter Lange.”
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- Tempered Glass Screen Protector works with A. Lange Sohne 1815 421.032
- 9H Hardness can effectively resist daily scratches.
- Dust-free,bubble free,one-push super easily installation.
- Oleophobic Screen Coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
- 0.33mm thick keep the screen responsive to every touch and tap.
- Match the reference number and case metal to the watch and its documentation.
- Check condition, provenance, included papers and accessories, and service history.
- Review the seller’s authentication process and return terms before committing.
- Treat the 2018 steel-watch auction result as specific to that one-off piece, not as a comparable price for a gold watch.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
