This new LANG & HEYNE timepiece is named after Moritz, one of the most important rulers of Saxony.
With a classical, symmetrical division of the dial, Lang and Heyne combines in the watch-model “Moritz” all the calendar functions of a full calendar. The solid silver dial is, according to the tradition, pickled white and then dyed champagne. The moon disc as well as the earth disc is cut in gold and enameled with the technique “Champlevé”.
Above the crown, the date, the month and the declination can be changed rapidly. Two sunk-in correctors serve as the regulation of the moon phase and the day of the week.
The Moritz is available in 18K gold or platinum, and with different hand variations. LANG & HEYNE also offers three variations of the earth disc, one for the European/African, one for the Asian/Australian and one for the American viewpoint
The inclination of the axis of the earth to the ecliptic of 23 degrees and the orbiting of the earth around the sun are the causes of the sun’s rays impinging sometimes more on the northern hemisphere, sometimes more on the southern hemisphere.
For the first time, LANG & HEYNE has made it possible to indicate directly the degree of the sun to the equator at midday. This suggestion made by one of the customers and a watch enthusiast (Nikolaus Garnreiter – Ulm).
The earth disc which oscillates during the seasons is controlled by a programme disc where the value of the degree of the declination is accurately stored.
Behind this spectacular display is CALIBER III mechanical movement. Based on the CALIBER I and with the same respect for traditional watch making and its aesthetic quality, LANG & HEYNE constructed the CALIBER III for the MORITZ model. Although the two movements look very similar the manufacture still made some modification.
The distance from the minute wheel to the second wheel is downsized to gain room for additional indications on subdials. We also reconstructed the winding mechanism so that the date, the month and the declination indication can be set as fast as possible with the help of a third crown position.
The complete mechanism for the calendar indication is carried by an additional plate which is only 1.5 mm in height. One specialty which is not immediately visible is the rapid change of the date and the day of the week that is activated at midnight exactly.
A serial number is assigned to every watch marked both on the dial and on the movement. This makes every watch from Lang & Heyne to a unique specimen.
About LANG & HEYNE Caliber III
Based on LANG & HEYNE Caliber I and with the same aesthetic respect for the traditional making of watches, the company constructed the Caliber III for the model “Moritz”. Although the two movements look very similar, the Caliber III comes with some modifications.
The distance from the minute wheel to the second wheel is downsized to 9mm in order to gain big supply dials for the additional indications. LANG & HEYNE also reconstructed the winding mechanism so that the date, the month and the declination indication can be set as fast as possible with the help of a third crown position.
The complete mechanism for the calendar indication is carried by an additional plate which is only 1.5mm in height. One of the specialities that is not immediately visible is the rapid change of the date and the day of the week which is activated at midnight exactly. Thus, an inconvenient, long-lasting change of date is avoided on the one hand, and on the other hand there is no problem with the setting of the calendar throughout the day.
Another convenience for the setting of the calendar is the day-/night indication underneath the centre at the right-hand side. Between 6 am and 6 pm the golden half and between 6 pm and 6 am the blued half of the 24 hour wheel is visible.
Technical details
Model: LANG & HEYNE MORITZ
Movement
Manual winding movement Caliber III
Diameter 16¼ lines (36.6mm)
Height 7.1mm
Frequency 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5Hz)
Running time: 46 hours
Jewels: 19 rubies, 1 diamond
Functions
Eccentric second at 6 o’clock, date-days of the week at 3 o’clock
Moon phase at 6 o’clock, month at 9 o’clock
Day-/night indication at 4 o’clock
Declination angle at 12 o’clock
Case
Crafted from 18 ct rose gold or white gold
Diameter: 44mm
Height: 12.5mm
2 countersunk pusher at the side
Sapphire glass on top and bottom
Water-resistant up to 3 bar
Dial
Solid silver dial fine blasted and colored in champagne white
Arabic numerals
Minute indication in red
Moon and earth disk in 18ct gold enamelled
Enamelled declination disk
Three options: Europe and Africa, Asia and Australia, North and South America
Strap
Alligator leather strap with shark lining leather
Pin buckle or folding clasp
