In 2017, after 15 years of its launch, the iconic LANGE 1 MOON PHASE timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne will be endowed with a new movement. This new upgraded model will be unveiled at the upcoming SIHH exhibition in Geneva.
The new version takes a new and particularly realistic approach by combining the moon-phase display with a day/night indicator. The moon-phase display of this watch tracks the lunar cycle – with an average duration of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds – so accurately that it takes 122.6 years for the display to deviate from the true synodic period by just one day.
The arrangement of the display is based on a new, particularly realistic concept. A separate solid-gold moon pursues its orbit in the foreground. Behind it, a celestial disc – also made of solid gold – performs exactly one revolution every 24 hours. On the disc, the different times of day are represented by varying blue hues caused by interference effects.
During the day, it shows a bright sky without stars, while at night it depicts a dark sky with prominently contrasting laser-cut stars. Thus, the moon always orbits against a realistic background that doubles as a day/night indicator when setting the watch.
The now 20th Lange calibre with a moon-phase display is based on the LANGE 1 movement introduced two years ago, and it has the same performance attributes. This includes the characteristic twin mainspring barrel with a maximum power reserve of 72 hours and the precisely jumping outsize date display.
The LANGE 1 MOON PHASE also features an escapement with a cam-poised balance and a free-sprung Lange hairspring. Suspended beneath the hand-engraved balance cock, it beats with a frequency of 21,600semi-oscillations per hour.
The 70 parts for the moon-phase display were so cleverly integrated in the L121.3 manufacture calibre that it is only marginally larger than the calibre L121.1 inside the LANGE 1.
The asymmetric solid-silver dial sets a remarkably harmonious stage for the luminous time and power-reserve indications complemented with an outsize date, the moon-phase display, and the day/night indicator.
The LANGE 1 MOON PHASE is available in white gold/black, pink gold/argenté, and platinum/rhodié case/dial combinations.
Technical details
Model: A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 1 MOON PHASE
References
192.029: White gold case, Solid silver, black dial, Rhodiumed gold hands, luminous appliqués, Hand-stitched alligator leather black strap, White-gold prong buckle
192.032: Pink gold case, Solid silver, argenté dial, Pink gold hands, luminous appliqués, Hand-stitched alligator leather red brown, Pink-gold prong buckle
192.025: Platinum case, Solid silver, rhodié dial, Rhodiumed gold hands, luminous appliqués, Hand-stitched alligator leather black strap, Platinum prong buckle
Movement
Lange manufacture calibre L121.3, manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, deco-rated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German sil-ver; balance cock engraved by hand
Diameter: 30.6 millimetres; height: 6.3 millimetres
Movement parts: 438
Jewels: 47
Screwed gold chatons: 8
Escapement: Lever escapement
Oscillator: Shock-resistant cam-poised balance; balance spring manufactured in-house, frequency 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, precision beat adjustment system with lateral set-screw and whiplash spring
Power reserve: 72 hours when fully wound
Functions
Time indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds with stop seconds; power-reserve indicator; Lange outsize date, moon-phase display with integrated day/night indicator
Operating elements
Crown for winding the watch and setting the time; button for quick outsize date corrections; recessed push piece for correcting the moon-phase display
Case
Diameter: 38.5 millimetres
Height: 10.2 millimetres
Crystal and back: Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
-
Find More Details about A. Lange & Söhne Watch Brand.
-
A. LANGE & SÖHNE New Watch Models.
-
A. LANGE & SÖHNE Archives (from 1994 to 2013).
Image Credit: Lange Uhren GmbH
