The 36 mm yellow-gold A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down is reference 221.021: a discontinued, manually wound watch with a 35.9 mm case, calibre L942.1 and a manufacturer-stated 45-hour power reserve. Those specifications identify the model, but they cannot stand in for two months of firsthand wear. Without verified notes or measurements from the individual watch, claims about its comfort, winding feel, accuracy or daily performance would be guesswork.
Which 1815 Up/Down is the 36 mm yellow-gold model?
The exact watch is reference 221.021, also identified by A. Lange & Söhne as LSLS2211AD. The manufacturer lists it as outside the current collection. Its size is officially 35.9 mm, commonly rounded to 36 mm.
It is easy to confuse this watch with later Up/Down versions. The 39 mm yellow-gold reference 234.021 has a different movement, L051.2, and a stated 72-hour reserve. The pink- and white-gold watches announced on September 4, 2026, are also different: they measure 37.5 mm and use L051.2. Neither is the yellow-gold 221.021. A. Lange & Söhne’s product pages distinguish the references.
Reference 221.021 specifications
| Specification | Reference 221.021 |
|---|---|
| Case | 35.9 mm diameter; 7.9 mm height |
| Metal | 18-carat (750) yellow gold |
| Dial and strap | Silvered dial; middle-brown alligator leather strap |
| Movement | Manually wound calibre L942.1 |
| Power reserve | 45 hours, as stated by the manufacturer |
| Other movement specifications | 209 parts; 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3.0 Hz) |
| Display and functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, and power-reserve indication |
| Water resistance | 3 bar, as listed by the manufacturer |
| Case back and buckle | Sapphire-glass case back; yellow-gold buckle |
These are the manufacturer’s published specifications, not measurements from an independently tested example. The 45-hour figure is a stated reserve, not a guarantee of the remaining running time or performance of a particular pre-owned watch. The official reference page is A. Lange & Söhne’s 1815 Up/Down 221.021 page.
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What the Up/Down display tells you
The power-reserve indicator is the feature that gives the model its name: it shows the state of the mainspring’s remaining stored energy. In the brand’s description of the newer L051.2 movement, “AUF” marks a fully wound state and “AB” an unwound one. That explains the family’s display language, but the 2026 release describes a different movement generation; it does not establish construction details for the 221.021’s L942.1.
For the same reason, details the manufacturer gives for the current L051.2—such as its planetary-gear integration and particular finishing—should not be attributed to L942.1 without a source specific to that calibre. The 2026 release concerns 37.5 mm pink- and white-gold models, not this yellow-gold reference. The manufacturer’s release provides that newer-model context.
Rank #2
What two months of wear can—and cannot—establish
A meaningful two-month review depends on observations from the actual watch: how it sits on the wearer’s wrist, how often it is wound, whether its display is easy to read in the situations encountered, and what marks or strap wear appear. Published dimensions and specifications cannot answer those questions. Nor can they establish an individual example’s accuracy, winding feel, actual elapsed running time, or present condition.
To make a firsthand account useful, distinguish impressions from measurements. State the wearer’s wrist size and describe the fit; record the winding routine and any observed feel; and, if checking reserve or timekeeping, report the method and observation period. If these checks were not made, leave the performance claim out rather than treating the manufacturer’s specification as a test result.
Rank #3
- 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
How the 221.021 differs from later versions
| Model | Case and metal | Movement and stated reserve | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 221.021 | 35.9 mm, 18-carat yellow gold | Manual L942.1; 45 hours | The discontinued 36 mm watch covered here |
| 234.021 | 39 mm, 18-carat yellow gold | Manual L051.2; 72 hours | A later, larger yellow-gold reference |
| 2026 pink- and white-gold editions | 37.5 mm | L051.2; maximum 72 hours | Announced September 4, 2026; 300 pieces per edition |
The comparison is useful when identifying a listing or choosing between generations, not as a ranking. A smaller case is not automatically a better fit, and a longer stated reserve is only one consideration. Wrist fit, winding preference, condition, service records, completeness and provenance all matter when considering a pre-owned watch. Official descriptions for the later yellow-gold reference and 2026 editions are available from A. Lange & Söhne.
What to check before buying a pre-owned example
The manufacturer says reference 221.021 is not in the current collection and directs interested readers to contact a boutique. Availability and value therefore depend on the pre-owned market and the specific watch; the available auction record does not establish a current or representative price.
Rank #4
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- Confirm the reference. Check that the watch is 221.021 rather than the 39 mm 234.021 or a different Up/Down generation.
- Assess condition. Have the individual watch’s operation and physical condition evaluated by a qualified watchmaker or appropriate specialist.
- Review service evidence. Request dated service documentation and ask what work was performed. Do not assume a past service guarantees current condition.
- Check completeness and provenance. Establish what is included—such as box, papers and buckle—and review the available ownership documentation.
- Compare like with like. Use dated listings and completed sales appropriate to your region, accounting separately for condition, completeness, service history, buyer’s premium, taxes and shipping.
Christie’s cataloged one circa-2000s 221.021 as a 36 mm yellow-gold watch. That particular lot had no box or papers, included service paperwork dated October 2017, was described as running at cataloging but not tested for accuracy, and was recommended for service. Those notes apply only to that cataloged example, not to every watch of the reference. The catalog is Christie’s listing for the 221.021.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Water resistance and the limits of an old rating
A. Lange & Söhne lists 3 bar water resistance for reference 221.021. That published rating does not establish the sealing condition of a decades-old individual watch. Do not treat the specification as confirmation that a pre-owned example is safe around water; condition must be assessed for the watch in hand.
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Best Value
- 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.
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.
