This week, the Palexpo facility in Geneva, Switzerland, will become the center of the watch world for the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, or SIHH, a luxury watch show rivaled only by BaselWorld in relevance and prestige. We’ve got a team on the ground, there to bring you the most exciting releases. Follow our coverage here, and also be sure to check out Instagram. We’ll be posting to our feed throughout the week.
Upshot: A. Lange & Söhne’s Triple Split is perhaps the most evolved take on the rattrapante (also called a split-seconds) chronograph ever. While a traditional split-seconds chronograph can measure two concurrent events at a time, they can only do so if the difference between the two is within seconds of each other (i.e., it can only split seconds). The Triple Split, though, is the first rattrapante in the world that can measure and compare two times up to twelve hours in duration, meaning it can show the difference between times that are minutes or even hours apart (i.e., it can split seconds, minutes and hours). Given that a regular rattrapante is already a tricky complication to master, it’s a huge innovation for the beloved German watchmaker.
Who It’s For: Pretty much any watch fanatic who is fortunate enough to afford to spend $147,000 on a watch. Otherwise, its something for every other watch fanatic to longingly gawk at.
First Impressions: At 43.2 mm wide and 15.6 thick, the Triple Split is a big watch, but so are many other cream-of-the-crop horological creations — just look through that case back and you’ll see the hypnotically complex movement underneath, complete with nothing but Glasshütte’s finest finishing work. But it is Lange’s modus operandi to combine that complex movement with a refreshingly simple dial — it’s a radiant slate grey adorned with two silver sub-dials as well as small blue and red accents.
Insight: High-end collectors (all collectors, really) have a serious thing for Lange, especially its top tier deluxe chronographs. Given the pedigree, as well as the watch’s horological achievement and its limited numbers (100), the Triple Split Chronography is also likely a very good investment. Even if you don’t have plans of selling it, owning an A. Lange & Söhne at this level offers owners a serious trophy. That is, if you’re even the type to boast.
