The A. Lange & Söhne design team once again focused on superb legibility in the new SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR. The most important information – time and date – can be easily perceived at first glance. The auxiliary dial at 9 o’clock displays the day of the week, and its counterpart on the right-hand side shows the current month. Framed by the seconds display at 6 o’clock, the earth’s companion moves across a star-spangled nocturnal sky.
The precision of the moon-phase display is exemplary of the manufacture’s aspiration: it needs to be corrected by one day only after 122.6 years. The lunar disc in 750 gold is treated with a deep-blue coating process and with the 428 stars, a miniaturised image of the Milky Way is produced.
The calendar display of the SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR is programmed to advance correctly at the transition from the last day of each month to the first day of the next month. It automatically recognises which months have 30 and 31 days. The display must be adjusted only once a year: either from 28 February ‒ or in a leap year from 29 February ‒ to the first day of March.
The mechanism designed by Lange is particularly user-friendly: all calendar indications and the moon-phase display can be separately adjusted with individual correctors or collectively advanced with a convenient pusher at 10 o’clock.
Mechanical complexity – lucid design
The SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR is characterised by its lucid design, endowing the multitude of calendar information with a timeless aesthetic appeal. The elegant appearance of the watch is further underscored by the delicate minute scale, the baton appliques and the prominent lancet-shaped hands.
The lucid dial configuration is the result of a considerable design effort, with the objective of merging the many meticulously harmonised details. These comprise the auxiliary dials, slightly bevelled inward, for the day of the week, month and subsidiary seconds. The circumferential rings exhibit a filigreed azurage, whereas the inner surfaces boast a more prominent version of the same decoration technique. This creates a reflecting surface that intensifies the three- dimensional effect of the dial. The only exception is the subsidiary seconds dial where the inner section is also embellished with the more filigreed azurage, counterbalancing the elaborate and richly detailed moon-phase display. The baton appliques were also redesigned: now, the peripheral end is reminiscent of a pyramid.
A new self-winding movement
The harmonious design of the SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR and the high standards with regard to the artisanal finish extend into the interior where a new self-winding manufacture movement breathes life into the watch. The technical attributes of the L207.1 calibre include a unidirectional winding central rotor with a centrifugal mass in 950 platinum as well as a classic screw balance that operates at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. When fully wound, the mainspring barrel assures a maximum power reserve of 60 hours.
In line with the Lange philosophy, all components of the movement that was assembled twice are lavishly finished. In contrast to the understated dial design, a glance through the sapphire- crystal caseback reveals the opulent beauty of Saxon precision watchmaking, originating from the Royal Saxon Court in the 19th century. Hence, traditional elements such as the hand- engraved balance cock, delicate surface polishes and other finishing techniques as well as screwed gold chatons are emblematic of this historic link from which the name of the watch family is derived: SAXONIA.
An eminent sense of style
With a modest diameter of 36.0 millimetres paired with a height of 9.8 millimetres, the well- proportioned case assures a snug fit on the wrist and can be slipped under a shirt cuff. The sleek lugs and slender bezel emphasise the understated, stylish face of the timepiece.
Two strong personalities
The new material and colour combinations account for the striking and elegant appearance of the SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR. The warm lustre of the pink-gold version complemented by a cool-toned grey dial creates a captivating contrast, while the combination of white gold with an argenté-coloured dial expresses understatement. Hands and appliques that perfectly match the case round off the well-balanced design. Both models are worn on a hand-stitched alligator leather strap secured with a Lange prong buckle in pink or white gold.
