A. Lange & Söhne presents a new execution of the Triple Split (Ref. 424.025F), the world’s only split-seconds chronograph capable of measuring comparative and intermediate times extending to twelve hours.
Following the white gold version introduced in 2018 and a pink gold version in 2021, the Glashütte manufacture now offers the model in a 950 platinum case with a rhodié-coloured dial and darker grey auxiliary counters.
The defining feature of the Triple Split is its extension of the rattrapante mechanism beyond the central seconds hand to the minute and hour totalizers.
While a conventional split-seconds chronograph can record intermediate times within a 60-second interval, the Triple Split allows secondary events lasting up to twelve hours to be measured. A pusher at 10 o’clock controls three blued-steel hands for the seconds, minutes and hours.
Pressing it stops these hands to display an intermediate interval while the primary rhodiumed chronograph hands continue recording elapsed time. A second press synchronizes the blued hands with the ongoing measurement.
The chronograph also incorporates a flyback function, operated by the pusher at 4 o’clock, which resets and immediately restarts the active counters.
Despite the quantity of information, the dial retains a clearly defined hierarchy. The central display combines the chronograph and rattrapante seconds hands and is surrounded by a peripheral tachymeter scale for calculating average speeds over 1,000 metres.
At 4 o’clock, the minute counter advances instantaneously at the 60-second mark, while the subsidiary dial at 8 o’clock displays the continuously running seconds. The hour counters are positioned at 12 o’clock, with Lange’s UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock.
The main dial is made of 925 silver with a rhodié finish and is combined with recessed darker-grey subdials.
Rhodiumed-gold hour and minute hands are treated with luminous material, while red accents appear on the totalizers and power-reserve scale.
The resulting layout separates the various indications without compromising the technical character of the display.
Visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback, the hand-wound manufacture calibre L132.1 provides the mechanical basis for the Triple Split.
Its 567 components include 46 jewels and five gold chatons held by blued screws. The movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, or 3 Hz, and provides a power reserve of 55 hours.
The multiple rattrapante mechanisms and instantaneous jumping counters place additional demands on the movement’s energy management.
To limit friction losses, Lange has integrated a patented disengagement mechanism that disconnects the friction-intensive components on the seconds and minute arbors when the corresponding rattrapante hands are stopped.
This allows the balance wheel to maintain a stable rate while an intermediate time is being displayed.
Measuring 30.6 mm in diameter and 9.4 mm in height, the calibre is finished according to traditional Glashütte techniques.
Its plates and bridges are made of untreated German silver with Glashütte ribbing, while the levers, springs and rockers feature straight-grained surfaces and hand-polished bevels with internal angles.
The hand-engraved balance cock is combined with a whiplash precision beat-adjustment system.
The 950 platinum case measures 43.2 mm in diameter and 15.6 mm in thickness.
Satin-brushed case flanks provide a refined visual contrast against the mirror-polished bezel and lugs, while anti-reflective sapphire crystals on the front and back protect the dial and expose the movement.
A dark-brown hand-stitched alligator leather strap with grey stitching completes the watch, secured by a quick-release deployant buckle in 950 platinum.
Production of the A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split Ref. 424.025F is limited to 100 individually numbered pieces. Its price is available upon request. alange-soehne.com
COMMENTS