Nouvelles Saxonia de Lange (vues sur Horomundi)

Source : Horomundi

Citation :

Press release is as supplied by A Lange & Sohne.

A modern interpretation of Saxon splendour: the new SAXONIA

A. Lange & Söhne has redefined the SAXONIA and with three models has thus created a distinctive watch family with a striking, classically elegant personality. With suave charm and convincing intrinsic values, the members of the re-issued family – the SAXONIA, the SAXONIA AUTOMATIK, and the GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK – are worthy ambassadors of the Saxon watchmaking heritage.

When it was first introduced to a spellbound audience at the Dresden Palace in 1994, the SAXONIA – one of the watches in Lange’s new-era debut collection – paid tribute to Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the founder of the precision watchmaking industry in Glashütte, and expressed deep respect for his Saxon homeland. The location was judiciously chosen, because the history of A. Lange & Söhne began right here: at the court of Saxony’s electors and kings. This is where Ferdinand Adolph Lange began his horological career as the master student of Gutkaes, clockmaker to the Royal Saxon Court. And this is also where Saxon jewellers, sculptors, and watchmakers demonstrated unprecedented prowess under the auspices of Augustus the Strong, one of the most illustrious rulers of the Baroque period. During his reign, Dresden became the mecca for Europe’s most talented artisans, and the “Green Vault”, the court’s collection of treasures, was considered synonymous with Saxon splendour. The three new timepieces presented by A. Lange & Söhne proudly evoke this tradition with “SAXONIA” as their shared family name. Every detail of their lavishly hand-finished movements transports the values of Saxon precision watchmaking from its pioneering days to the present.

The SAXONIA

Just like the Saxon artisans of bygone days, Lange’s master watchmakers are modest individuals who share a passion for perfection. Accordingly, the personality of the SAXONIA is refreshingly understated. Its design focuses entirely on essentials: the sleek contours of the case frame the perfectly legible dial. The sapphire-crystal caseback showcases the exclusive calibre L941.1 movement. Its plates are made of untreated German silver, an alloy composed of copper, zinc, and nickel which in the course of time develops a golden patina. Lange is one of the few manufactories that uses this alloy. Screws that are annealed to a cornflower blue and the synthetic ruby jewels – four of them embedded in gold chatons – create a colourful contrast. The passion and time invested in the finish of the movement parts also belong to the Lange culture. Even surfaces that are concealed after the assembly of the movement are meticulously decorated with refined patterns. The hand-engraved balance cock turns each watch into a one-of-a-kind treasure. The 37.0 millimetre case is crafted from 18 carat yellow, pink, or white gold. The appliques on the dial and the lancet hands are also made of solid gold. The solid-silver dial is available in four different colours.

SAXONIA AUTOMATIK and GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK

Citation :

The SAXONIA AUTOMATIK and the GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK are endowed with all the quality features that are characteristic for each member of the noble SAXONIA family. Additionally, they are powered by a movement that is exceptional in every respect: Lange’s famous SAX-0-MAT manufacture calibre. The first and last syllables refer to Saxony, its geographical home, and to the automatic winding mechanism. The “zero” in the middle stands for the sophisticated ZERO-RESET feature which causes the seconds hand to instantly jump to zero when the crown is pulled. This is a useful innovation that truly simplifies the synchronisation of the watch with a reference time signal. The SAX-0-MAT is also unique by virtue of its winding mechanism design. Thanks to its reversing and reduction gear train, the delicately embossed rotor in gold and platinum winds bidirectionally. Four ball bearings assure that it transfers its torque to the mainspring with the greatest degree of efficiency. The gearing ratio builds up a sufficient power reserve even on a calm wrist. The fascinating kinetics of the winding rotor and the going train can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The face of the SAXONIA AUTOMATIK is accented by the Lange outsize date beneath the twelve. The two timepieces are available in white or pink gold as SAXONIA AUTOMATIK with a diameter of 37.0 millimetres or in more prominent versions as GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK with a 40.6-millimetre case.

Data sheet SAXONIA

Movement:
Lange manufacture calibre L941.1, manually wound, crafted to the highest Lange quality standards and largely assembled and decorated by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand
Movement parts: 164
Jewels: 21
Screwed gold chatons: 4
Escapement: Lever escapement
Balance: Shock-resistant glucydur screw balance,
Nivarox hairspring balance with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, whiplash precision index adjuster with patented beat adjustment mechanism
Power reserve: 45 hours when fully wound
Functions: Time display in hours, minutes, and small seconds with stop seconds
Operating elements: Crown for winding movement and setting the time
Case: Diameter 37.0 millimetres, yellow, white, or pink gold
Glass and caseback: Sapphire crystal (hardness 9)
Dial: Solid silver, champagne, argenté, black or grey
Hands: Yellow gold, rhodiumed gold or pink gold
Strap: Crocodile strap with precious-metal Lange prong buckle in solid yellow, white, or pink gold

Data sheet SAXONIA AUTOMATIK and GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK
Movement:
Lange manufacture calibre L921.4 (SAXONIA AUTOMATIK) and L921.2 (GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK), self-winding, crafted to the highest Lange quality standards and largely assembled and decorated by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand
Movement parts: 378 (SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
307(GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
Jewels: 45 (SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
36 (GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
Escapement: Lever escapement
Balance: Shock-resistant glucydur screw balance,
Nivarox hairspring balance with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, whiplash precision index adjuster with patented beat adjustment mechanism
Power reserve: 46 hours when fully wound
Functions: Time display in hours, minutes, and small seconds, with stop seconds, outsize date (SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
Operating elements: Crown for winding movement and setting the time, push piece for advancing the date display (SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
Case: Diameter 37.0 millimetres (SAXONIA AUTOMATIK)
Diameter 40.6 millimetres (GRAND SAXONIA AUTOMATIK), white or pink gold
Glass and caseback: Sapphire crystal (hardness 9)
Dial: Solid silver, argenté, black or grey
Hands: Rhodiumed gold or pink gold; seconds hand rhodiumed gold, pink gold or blued steel
Strap: Crocodile strap with precious-metal Lange prong buckle in solid white or pink gold