Some brands are defined by their icons – Speedmaster for Omega, Submariner for Rolex, and Navitimer for Breitling. For A. Lange & Söhne, the Lange 1 stands a titan as a flagship for the Saxony watchmaker. While it is inevitable that some luxury watches become analogous symbols for the watchmaker as a result of popularity, others are diamonds in the rough, waiting for their moment to shine: Enter the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Annual Calendar.
Though the Saxonia collection debuted with brethren like the famed Lange 1, the collection lacked A. Lange & Söhne’s signature high complications like split-second chronographs and tourbillons. These prestigious symbols of vaunted Saxony watchmaking prowess could be found in other collections, and it was only in 2010 that the Saxonia would find favour with the addition of a new Annual Calendar model, recognising differing lengths of the months (but not the leap year) unlike but similar to a perpetual calendar.
Available in white or rose gold since 2010, the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Annual Calendar was finally introduced in platinum at SIHH 2013. For 2018, the new iteration is visually identical but not a re-issue of the original, especially with the sublime slate grey dial standing in splendid contrast to its white gold case. Combined with black rhodium finished oscillating weight decorated with circular graining, the latest Saxonia Annual Calendar is a limited 25-piece edition that is bound to sell out.
Available exclusively at A. Lange & Söhne ’s US boutiques in New York, Miami, and Costa Mesa, the limited edition Saxonia Annual Calendar is powered by the self-winding Sax-O-Mat calibre and features the brand’s signature big date display. The latest Saxonia Annual Calendar returns with its iconic legible display of calendar functions, indicating the date, month, day of the week, and phases of the moon. While the elaborate annual calendar mechanism automatically recognises which months have 30 and 31 days, it does not recognise leap years as a perpetual calendar would.
Movement Self-winding manufacture Calibre L.085.1; 46-power reserve
Case 38.5mm in white gold; water resistance to 30m
Strap Alligator leather with white gold prong buckle
Price US$54,500