This timepiece is named after King Johann (1801-1873), who was the ruler of King of Saxony from 9 August 1854 until his death in 1873.
Also known as Philateles (friend of truth), Johann was highly educated and artistically gifted. He not only translated Dantes “Divine Comedy” into German, but also created a multitude of own works.
King of Saxony from 1854 on, he struggled for the creation of a united German state. He examined and renewed numerous aristocratic rules and lead Saxony’s economy as a modest and wise statesman into a blossoming period of economic development.
The model “Johann” pays homage to that profound personality. Like its name-sake, it concentrates on the essentials, portraying timeless elegance. The enamelled bipartite dial with its well proportioned roman numerals is contrasted with pear-tipped hands crafted manually.
The precious metal case of the watch offers a striking housing for the fine mechanical movement and the sapphire glass bottom unveils a fascinating view.
Inside the watch beats the CALIBER I developed by LANG & HEYNE. Fitted with the characteristic three-quarter plate, this hand-wound mechanical movement pays tribute to Saxon fine watchmaking heritage established since the end of the 19th century.
Big shining rubies, set in gleaming gold chatons, create a balanced contrast to the silver finished plate. Even the smallest of the stones, the one that holds the lever anchor is set in gold chatons, held by deeply blued steel screws. The meticulous chamfer finishing, black polished by hand, of the anchor bridge and the balance cock as well as the slit golden screws of the balance wheel create charming reflections of light.
The ultimate in beauty, however, is the sparkling diamond, crowning the balance. Majestically it is placed on top of the hand engraved balance cock, harmonizing perfectly with the elegantly swung swan-neck fine adjustment.
The balance spring bent markedly upward in its last winding ensures smooth pulse of the shock-resistant gold screw balance wheel.
The LANG & HEYNE CALIBER I is equipped with a second hand stop mechanism. When the crown has been pulled out, a spring gently bends itself around the balance shaft and the second hand stops, hence permitting the watch to be set accurately to the second.
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.
Technical details
Model: LANG & HEYNE JOHANN
Movement
Manual winding movement Caliber I, 46 hours running time, second hand stop mechanism
Diameter: 16¼ lines (36.6mm)
Height: 5.5mm
Frequency: 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5Hz)
Jewels: 19 rubies, 1 diamond
Function: hour/minute/eccentric second at 6 o’clock, second hand stop
Case
18 ct gold or platinum
Diameter: 43.5mm
Height: 10.5mm
Sapphire glass on top and bottom
Water-resistant up to 3 bar
Dial
Double sunk enamel dial or solid silver dial galvanic black
Roman numerals
Also available in a special design in cobalt blue
Strap
Crocodile leather strap, buckle from 18 ct gold/platinum
