The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold, reference 425.050, is a 100-piece, hand-wound split-seconds chronograph made for the 175th anniversary of Saxon precision watchmaking. Its distinguishing appeal is the combination of a practical rattrapante function, an intricate L101.2 movement visible through the caseback, and a black-and-gold presentation in the brand’s proprietary Honeygold. The often-cited €130,000 price was reported as German-VAT-inclusive launch pricing in 2020—not a current quote. A. Lange & Söhne now identifies the reference as outside its collection.
What is the 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold?
Reference 425.050, also identified as LSLS4256AA, was announced in 2020 as a limited edition of 100 watches called “Homage to F. A. Lange.” The edition marked 175 years of Saxon precision watchmaking. The “1815” collection name refers to the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange. At launch, the brand said the watch would be exclusive to its boutiques; its product page now says the reference is not part of the current collection.
This is a focused chronograph rather than a watch built around multiple calendar or astronomical complications. It displays hours, minutes and running seconds, and adds a chronograph with split-seconds timing. The case is 18-carat Honeygold, a proprietary alloy used by A. Lange & Söhne.
How does the split-seconds function work?
A rattrapante, or split-seconds chronograph, has two central chronograph hands. They begin together when timing starts. Pressing the split-seconds control stops one hand to record an intermediate time while the other continues running. Press the control again and the stopped hand catches up with its counterpart. This lets the wearer record successive laps or intermediate times without stopping the main timing hand.
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#1 Best Overall
- RACING-INSPIRED DUAL-LAYER DIAL—— Inspired by racing dashboards, the bold dual-layer dial delivers depth and clarity, featuring applied hour markers and a CD-textured chronograph subdial for easy reading in everyday wear.
- HAND-WOUND MECHANICAL CHRONOGRAPH—— Powered by the ST19 hand-wound chronograph movement. This mechanical watch does not use a battery—manual winding is required for normal operation and precise timing.
- DAILY MANUAL WINDING RITUAL—— To keep the watch running, gently rotate the crown clockwise about 15–20 turns each day. When resistance is felt, winding is complete—an engaging, hands-on mechanical experience.
- FUNCTIONAL CHRONOGRAPH WITH TACHYMETER—— Equipped with a mechanical chronograph and tachymeter scale for measuring speed over distance, inspired by classic motorsport instrumentation.
- COMFORTABLE FIT & EASY STRAP SWITCHING—— 40 mm case diameter with a 12.4 mm thickness offers balanced wrist presence. Lug width is 20 mm, paired with quick-release straps (120 + 80 mm) for easy daily switching between styles.
The 2020 announcement describes repeated intermediate timing within the course of a minute. In everyday terms, it is useful when you want to note a split while keeping the overall elapsed time running. The mechanism adds complexity beyond a conventional chronograph, and that complexity is a central part of this reference’s appeal.
Specifications
| Specification | Reference 425.050 |
|---|---|
| Case | 18-carat Honeygold; 41.2 mm diameter and 12.6 mm height |
| Dial | Black solid silver |
| Movement | Manufacture calibre L101.2; manually wound; 365 parts |
| Frequency | 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 Hz) |
| Power reserve | 58 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, chronograph and split-seconds timing |
| Caseback and water resistance | Sapphire display back; 3 bar |
| Strap and buckle | Dark-brown alligator leather strap; 18-carat Honeygold pin buckle |
| Lug spacing | 20 mm |
| Edition | 100 pieces |
Specifications are listed by A. Lange & Söhne on its official product page. The brand’s 2020 launch announcement describes the anniversary edition and its timing function.
Rank #2
- Men's Watches with Seagull ST1901 Movement:Precision-powered by the original Seagull ST1901 manual-winding mechanical watch movement (21 jewels, 3Hz/21,600 vibrations per hour). No battery needed – 42-hour power reserve. A timeless watch for men blending casual elegance.
- Multifunctional Design:Chronograph functionality with sub-dials for seconds and minutes. Super-LumiNova luminous hands ensure readability in darkness. Paired with a durable silicone strap (40mm case diameter, 13mm thickness), this men's wrist watch excels in style and utility.
- 5ATM Water & Scratch Resistance:50m water-resistant (suitable for swimming) with anti-scratch sapphire crystal. The 304L stainless steel case ensures lasting durability for active lifestyles.
- Ergonomic Craftsmanship:Five color variants available, each featuring matching waterproof silicone straps. Harmonious design meets premium materials: surgical-grade steel case and sapphire glass for superior scratch resistance.
- The Ultimate Gift Watch:A classic mechanical watch perfect for graduations, birthdays, weddings, Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. The ideal gift for fathers, boyfriends, or any distinguished man.
Movement and design: what makes it interesting?
A dial designed around timing
The black solid-silver dial gives the watch a formal, high-contrast look, while the warm Honeygold case and accents supply the “black-and-gold” character noted in Monochrome’s December 2020 review. The vertical subdial arrangement reflects the chronograph’s function without turning the dial into a crowded display. The central chronograph hands remain the focus, which makes sense for a watch whose main purpose is elapsed-time measurement.
The L101.2 beneath the display back
The manually wound L101.2 brings the chronograph and rattrapante mechanisms together in one movement. A. Lange & Söhne describes two column wheels, hand-engraved bridges and balance cock, granular German-silver frame parts, straight-grained moving components and polished chamfers. These are the manufacturer’s finishing descriptions; they should be read as the brand’s account of the movement rather than an independent inspection.
Rank #3
- 3D Metallic Dial Chronograph, 100 M water resistant, Stopwatch
- Date Display, Module 5490, Approx. battery life: 3 years on SR920SW
- Quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 48.50mm
- Water resistant to 100m (330ft): in general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not diving
The 365-part calibre runs at 3 Hz and stores 58 hours of power reserve. As a hand-wound watch, it requires regular winding, but the sapphire caseback makes the movement’s architecture part of the ownership experience rather than hiding it behind a solid back.
How does it wear?
At 41.2 mm across and 12.6 mm thick, the case has substantial presence for a dress-oriented chronograph. Hodinkee’s Logan Baker, writing after a seven-day wrist review published on 9 June 2021, described it as a little over 41 mm wide and around 12.5 mm thick, and said he found it wearable as a dress chronograph. That is one reviewer’s experience, not a guarantee of fit: wrist shape, preferred proportions and the way a watch sits under a cuff all matter.
Rank #4
- Movement : ST2502
- Dial diameter : Approx.43mm
- Thickness : Approx.13.5mm
- Strap width: Approx.22mm
- Strap circumference : 19m
The 20 mm lug spacing and dark-brown alligator strap give the watch a traditional formal-watch setup. The 3-bar water-resistance rating is modest, so this is not a model to treat as a swimming or water-sports watch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.1815 Rattrapante Honeygold price and availability
Monochrome Watches reported a launch price of €130,000 including German VAT in its December 2020 review. That figure is historical retail pricing for the German market at launch; it is not a current asking price or a present-day valuation.
Best Value
- VK63 MECHA-QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH: The WD1863 uses a VK63 mecha-quartz movement with a central 1/5-second chronograph hand, 60-minute counter, running small seconds and a 24-hour display. The pushers control start, stop and reset, combining quartz accuracy with crisp mechanical-style chronograph action for practical elapsed-time measurement.
- BUBBLE SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL & ALUMINUM BEZEL: The raised bubble-style sapphire crystal adds depth above the dial, while a high-clear inner AR coating helps reduce reflections. A 316L stainless steel case and bracelet provide a solid everyday build, and the fixed aluminum bezel creates a defined frame around the vintage chronograph display.
- SUPER BGW-9 BLUE LUME: BGW-9 super luminous material is applied to the hands, hour markers and selected dial details. After exposure to light, these elements produce a blue glow that supports quick time reading in darker surroundings. Coverage follows the individual dial design and remains clearly arranged around the three-register chronograph display.
- 100M WATER RESISTANCE: The screw-down crown and screw-down case back support a 100M water-resistance rating for daily wear and suitable surface-water use. Always tighten the crown fully before contact with water, do not operate the chronograph pushers while the watch is wet or submerged, and avoid hot water, steam and diving. Water resistance should be checked periodically as seals age.
- COMPACT 39MM WRIST PROFILE: The WD1863 measures 39mm across the bezel, with a 41mm mid-case, 46mm lug-to-lug length, 12.9mm thickness including the raised crystal and 20mm lug width. These proportions balance the detail of a three-register chronograph with a wearable footprint. The 20mm bracelet remains proportionate to the case, while the raised crystal adds vintage depth to the compact design.
Sotheby’s listed an example in 2025 with an estimate of $140,000–$280,000. The result is behind login, so the estimate does not establish a completed sale price. No current dealer asking price, authenticated available example or verified completed auction result is established here. The brand’s current product page says reference 425.050 is outside the collection, so the former boutique-exclusive launch arrangement should not be mistaken for current boutique orderability.
For context, Hodinkee characterized the price in 2021 as “low six figures”; this was the reviewer’s broad description, not a separate price quote. Monochrome described the model as Lange’s first stand-alone split-seconds chronograph. Those are dated editorial assessments, not current market data.
Who is this watch for?
The 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold is best understood as a specialist luxury chronograph for someone who values mechanical complexity, traditional hand-winding and a scarce precious-metal edition. The split-seconds function has a clear use for recording intermediate times, but the watch’s scale, formal styling and limited production make it a niche choice rather than an all-purpose daily sports chronograph.
- Consider it if you want a true rattrapante mechanism, appreciate a movement finished for display, and prefer a classic dress-watch presentation in Honeygold.
- Think carefully if you need a smaller or thinner watch, expect robust water use, or are shopping by current market price: the available dated figures do not establish what an example should cost today.
For a purchase, distinguish an auction estimate from a sale result and request the specific watch’s condition, provenance, service history and full-set status. Those details affect an individual pre-owned example and are not supplied by the edition’s original specifications.
Quick Recap
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