There are few settings better suited to celebrating mechanical excellence than Hampton Court Palace. This year, Watches had the pleasure of being invited to the 2026 Concours of Elegance, where historic cars, craftsmanship and timeless design came together in one of the most spectacular locations in the UK. A. Lange & Söhne, partner and sponsor of the event, took the opportunity to present some of its 2026 novelties, including the latest Triple Split and two new versions of the 1815 UP/DOWN. And, of course, you’ll be able to follow everything from Hampton Court across our media channels.
Hampton Court: Where Heritage Meets Innovation
Walking through the grounds of Hampton Court surrounded by some of the most extraordinary collector cars in the world felt like the perfect setting for Lange. The Concours of Elegance is all about celebrating engineering, design and craftsmanship from another era, but also about understanding why certain creations remain relevant decades later. That same idea is at the heart of A. Lange & Söhne: respecting what came before while constantly pushing mechanical watchmaking forward.
And the two watches presented at Hampton Court couldn’t be more different.
The Triple Split: When Technical Ambition Gets Serious
The Triple Split is the kind of watch that makes you stop and look twice. Originally introduced in 2018, it took the concept of the Double Split to an entirely different level by becoming the world’s first mechanical split-second chronograph capable of measuring comparative times over several hours.
Its rattrapante system can measure lap and reference times for up to 12 hours, thanks to additional rattrapante hands for the minute and hour counters. In practical terms, this means that the watch can compare events lasting far longer than the 30-minute range offered by the Double Split introduced in 2004.
The 2026 version comes in a platinum case with a grey rhodium dial and contrasting grey sub-dials, adding a particularly understated look to an already extremely complex watch. But, as impressive as the specifications are, seeing the movement in person is where the Triple Split really makes an impact. The level of finishing and the sheer complexity of the mechanism are difficult to appreciate fully from photographs alone.
1815 UP/DOWN: A More Classic Side of Lange
If the Triple Split represents the technical extremes of Lange, the new 1815 UP/DOWN shows a much quieter and more traditional side of the manufacture.
The 1815 collection takes its name from the birth year of Ferdinand A. Lange and draws heavily from the pocket watches that established the company’s reputation in the nineteenth century. The new UP/DOWN keeps that unmistakable aesthetic, but introduces a refined interpretation of the power-reserve display.
Available in 750 pink gold and 750 white gold, both limited to 300 pieces, the watches feature a striking blue dial. The manually wound calibre L051.2 offers a 72-hour power reserve, with the power-reserve mechanism integrated directly into the movement through a specially developed planetary gear system.
At 37.5 mm, the proportions are equally convincing: elegant, restrained and very much in keeping with the classic Lange aesthetic.
Our Thoughts & Conclusion
Seeing these two watches side by side at Hampton Court was genuinely fascinating precisely because they are so different.
The 1815 UP/DOWN could arguably be one of the most appealing ways to enter the world of Lange: classic proportions, a beautiful blue dial and a design that immediately communicates the brand’s DNA. The Triple Split, on the other hand, leaves you genuinely speechless. Its technical difficulty, extraordinary movement finishing and sheer mechanical ambition are a powerful reminder of why A. Lange & Söhne occupies such a unique position in the industry.
What impressed us most, however, was the attention to detail. Having the opportunity to hear the novelties explained first-hand by Anthony de Haas, Product Development Manager, made it even more fascinating to discover what actually goes into creating these watches. Even when a complication such as the Triple Split has been around for several years, understanding the thinking and engineering behind it gives you a completely different appreciation of the watch.
It is precisely this depth that makes Lange so fascinating. There are very few brands in the industry capable of combining this level of technical ambition, traditional craftsmanship and obsessive attention to detail.
We can’t wait to see what comes next.
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