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A. Lange & Söhne Continues its Silver Jubilee Celebration with Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary”


As part of its year-long 25th anniversary celebration, A. Lange & Söhne has introduced a series of anniversary editions in 2019. From the emblematic Lange 1 and the Little Lange 1 to the sublime Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase and the Lange 1 Time Zone and the phenomenal Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. Now meet the latest, the Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary Edition.”

This new timepiece riffs on the a moon-phase model first introduced by the German brand in 2017. It famously depicted the phases of the moon by combining the astronomical display with a day/night indicator. It was a simple and ingenious way to denote two practical functions.

The anniversary edition uses a white gold case which is 38.5-mm wide and 10.2-mm thick. The dial sees the now familiar interplay of silver and blue hues unfold on the characteristic Lange 1 dial. The blue steel hands are in sync with the gradated blue tones of the moon phase disc. The dial also features a power-reserve indicator with the UP/DOWN inscription and a precisely jumping outsize date display.

The combination of the moon-phase display with a day/night indicator has two layers. It consists of a solid-gold celestial disc with blue gradation. The disc completes one full revolution around its own axis every 24 hours, mapping the rhythm of day and night. Against this background, the white-gold moon performs its synodic orbit in 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds with such precision that it takes 122.6 years before a correction by one day is needed.

During the daytime, the moon is depicted against a bright blue starless sky; at night, it contrasts against the dark blue heavens with 383 sparkling stars. Thus, the moon always shows itself against a realistic background that doubles as a day/night indicator.

The watch is paired with a blue alligator leather strap with a solid white-gold prong buckle. It is powered by the hand-cranked Caliber L121.3, which is based on the L121.1 launched in 2015. The 70 additional parts for the moon phase display and the day/night indicator were integrated in the movement so compactly that the watch is only 0.4 mm thicker. It has a power reserve of 72 hours thanks to a twin mainspring barrel.

The escapement, consisting of a cam-poised balance and a freely oscillating Lange balance spring, runs at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. Like all other models of the “25th Anniversary” collection, the Lange 1 Moon Phase has the anniversary number 25 engraved manually on the balance cock. The typography and form is inspired by the outsize date display. This timepiece is again limited to 25 pieces and is priced at €43,300.

A version of this article originally appeared on WatchTime Middle East

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