When A. Lange & Söhne is mentioned, it is easy to dream. It is easy to dream because of names like Datograph, Zeitwerk or Double-Split. These watches can be found on so many watch collectors’ wish-list (and not only Lange aficionados), and for extremely good reasons, as clearly, they are all watchmaking pinnacles, grail watches, dream-machines… and they are all rather inaccessible. So the main question that I’ll have today, with the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase, is simple: is there something special about A. Lange & Söhne in general and will this “reasonable offer” give me the same pleasure? You will have to read ‘a few lines of text’ to find my answer…
Back to our main concern of the day, the review of the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase. This watch is part of the new Saxonia collection, introduced at the SIHH 2015. Indeed, that year, Lange renewed (slightly) this collection of watches, which was, at that time, the entry-level proposition – well, in 2016, they even brought a new “value proposition” (yes, I dare to call it this way), with the Saxonia Thin 37mm, priced at € 14,900 Euros (and considering what you’ll get for that price, it is a real value prop.). The new Saxonia collection is in the vein of the previous one, with sleek dials and display, markers for the hours (and not numerals, like in the 1815) and thin hands. The changes are minimal but bring a bit of modernity – thanks to longer markers, a new minute track and new surface finishes on the case.
Pros
- The versatility of the 40mm diameter and the nice proportions
- The comfort on the wrist and the comfort of the automatic winding
- The beauty of the dial, extremely balanced
- A nice consensus between German rigidity and warm looks
- The execution and efficiency of the movement
Cons
- Probably a bit shy for hardcore collectors
- The recessed pusher to adjust the moon phase (not elegant, not practical)
Specifications of the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase
- Case: 40mm diameter x 9.8mm thick – 18k gold (pink or white), polished and satined – sapphire crystal on front and on the caseback – 30m water resistant
- Movement: Calibre L086.5, in-house developed and manufactured – automatic winding – power reserve of 72 hours – 21,600bph – Hours, minutes, small second, large date, moon phase
- Strap: alligator leather on gold pin buckle
[source from: https://monochrome-watches.com/lange-sohne-saxonia-moon-phase-review-price/]
