soxonia

A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Annual Calendar Watch

A new classic from German A. Lange & Sohne this year is the easy-to-love Saxonia Annual Calendar watch. In the tradition of many successful "triple calendar" watches (named as such for displaying the day, date, and month), the Saxonia Annual Calendar also adds the requisite moon phase indicator to complete the look. The watch isn't just about the information it displays, but the delivery of the details as well as the dial layout which is important to its adherence to the classic look. This piece is sure to be a winner for A. Lange & Shone.

Unlike most A. Lange & Sohne watches the Saxonia Annual Date comes with an automatic movement. The Caiber L0851. Sax-O-Mat has what Lange calls a 3/4 automatic rotor, which is in 21k gold and engraved. This is smaller than a full rotor, but larger than a micro-rotor. The movement has a power reserve of 46 hours and a zero-reset function when the crown is pulled out for easy precise setting of the time. The moon phase is accurate to about one day each 122 years.

Pushers on the side of the case are used to adjust the calendar functions if necessary - which itself needs to be adjusted maximum of once per a year (assuming you keep the watch wound). The operation of the movement is flawless. This is of course due to the fact that it is totally in-house made and designed by Lange. The case size is medium at best being 38.5mm in size. Lange watches sometimes feel small in your hand until you place them on your wrist and they feel just right. Their purpose is to make comfortable luxury watches that excel at their prime purpose of looking good and telling the time (and other related data). You can tell that the dial layout is comfortable in poise and purpose. It follows the basic look of other Saxonia watches, with the additional information. Hands are the right length (as always for the brand), and in gold matched to the other gold pieces on the dial. The white gold version has blued steel hands though.

The case is immaculately finished. In fact, I've never handled any watch that is as well finished as one from A. Lange & Sonhe - even at much higher prices. The Saxonia Annual Calendar watch is available in 18k white gold or pink gold. Price is the same for each at 27,500 euros. All things equal, the price is pretty good given the movement and quality of the watch in comparison to what else is out there.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: A. Lange Sohne Saxonia Annual Calendar Watch