A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary”

Prior to the SIHH, A. Lange & Söhne announced a new limited edition celebrating the 25th anniversary of what certainly is its most emblematic watch, the Lange 1 – which was born in 1994 and part of the inaugural “relaunch” collection. However, the brand isn’t only celebrating one model but the entire Lange 1 collection. Not one watch, but 10 models will be introduced throughout the year. Based on this beautiful modern version, here’s the A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary”.

Before we look closely at the new model, a few lines about both the idea behind this 25th anniversary collection and the model that is the base for this limited edition, the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase. This specific watch was introduced back in 2013 as an evolution of a watch that already was an evolution of the classic Lange 1 – still with us? The Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase relies on the larger case of the Grand Lange 1, meaning 41mm instead of 38.5mm, but keeps the asymmetric but attractive display alive. For this version, Lange cleverly added a moon phase display into the hours/minutes sub-dial, meaning that the dial remains uncluttered and untouched.

Now, in 2019, the Saxon brand is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its icon, the Lange 1 – the watch that is, admittedly, the best example of what Lange can do in terms of design and mechanics. This started with the classic Lange 1 as part of the SIHH 2019 collection, with the introduction of the design codes that will later be used in 9 other watches, which will be presented every month until 24 October 2019. Key elements will be an 18k white gold case, a solid silver, argenté-coloured dial with more depth and textures, blued steel hands and a blue strap. Apart from that, it seems that most watches part of this jubilee collection will remain mechanically equal to existing models.

The new Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary”

For this second watch, A. Lange & Söhne relies on one of the most balanced Lange 1 models in the collection – I mean, this moon indication is really perfectly integrated in the design. The A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary” brings back everything that made the “standard” model successful and adds the “anniversary touch” to it.

The case is presented in 18k white gold, with the usual 41mm diameter and 9.4mm height – larger, more modern dimensions than the classic model, but some markets prefer this larger size. Apart from that, the case retains its short lugs, the corrector for the moon in the caseband and the pusher at 10 o’clock for the date correction. It is combined with a blue alligator strap with silver stitching and a prong buckle.

The dial of this new Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary” is, in terms of display, the same as the standard edition – see here for our review. This means the desirable off-centred layout with hours and minutes in a large counter, the moon phase right in the middle of it, a small seconds at 5 o’clock and the signature outsized date at 1 o’clock – all very traditional for a Lange 1.

The anniversary touch is the solid silver dial with its argenté finish and a slightly different feel from other Grand Lange 1 models. However, on the contrary to the Lange 1 25th Anniversary, the areas that are slightly recessed and matte finished are not present here. The dial has a classic surface. The hands, as well as the indexes/markers, are blue – and so are the numbers on the date disc.

One of the specificities of this 25th Anniversary model is the moon disc. Indeed, it is the first Lange watch with a hand-engraved lunar disc made of solid white gold. Six stars and numerous small dots have been engraved by hand to create a starry sky. Together with the inlaid golden moon, this forms a unique three-dimensional night scene.

As for the movement, A. Lange & Söhne still relies on its hand-wound calibre L095.3. The movement is, as we would expect, crafted and finished to the most exacting Lange quality standards: decorated and assembled by hand, precision-adjusted in five positions, plates and bridges made of untreated German silver, balance cock engraved by hand. Specifications are also familiar with 72 hours of power reserve and an in-house escapement beating at 3Hz.

What changes is the balance cock, which is decorated with a specific engraving with the Lange outsize date – with a “25” that symbolises the jubilee year. All the engravings are filled in blue to recall the dial.

Only 25 pieces of the A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “25th Anniversary” will be produced. Price is EUR 45,800. More details at www.alange-soehne.com.