So far, we’ve seen a run on 25th anniversary watches launched this year by A. Lange & Söhne. The models that have debuted so far are the Lange 1, the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase, the Little Lange 1, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar, Lange 1 Time Zone, the Lange 1 Moon Phase, the Grand Lange 1, the Lange 1 Daymatic, and now this piece, the A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase (reference 182.066).
If the focal point of the A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase is intended to be the moon phase disc itself, the Richemont-owned, Glashütte-based manufacture has made sure it holds up under scrutiny. The lunar disc is hand-engraved from white gold, distinguishing this limited series of 25 pieces from the core-collection version.
This release is the ninth of 10 planned releases commemorating the quarter-centenary of the Lange 1, which debuted on October 24th, 1994. Since then, A. Lange & Söhne has gone through many changes as a company but has remained a leading light in German watchmaking, and has helped immeasurably to restore the once-faded reputation of Glashütte.
The A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase limited edition joins a range that was first released in 2017. As with the other Little Lange 1 Moon Phase models, it is powered by caliber L121.2. This movement, made from untreated German silver, is exquisitely hand-finished using traditional decorative techniques. Hand engraving adorns the balance cock, while blued screws and high-polish anglage enliven the bridges.
The L121.2 has a 21,600vph operating frequency. Thanks to this lower train count and the fact this watch is powered by not one, but two mainsprings, the A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase need only be wound once every three days. And if you keep this movement running, it will continue to record the phase of the moon accurately to within one day every 122.6 years.
Dial-side, this watch is an ice-cool treat. The 36.8mm white gold housing encases a solid silver, argenté-colored dial. Heat-blued steel hands and pad-printed dial decoration continue an almost entirely bi-chromatic theme, which is only interrupted by the twin red triangles just before 4 o’clock. As part of the UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator, those red triangles are not only functional but a very welcome splash of color to an otherwise staid affair.
Even more impressive than the stylish diminutive diameter of this piece is its thickness. At just 9.5mm tall, the A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase limited edition is as comfortable as it is elegant, and it is suitable for both men and women. The latest model in the German heavyweight’s limited-edition series will retail for $43,500. Learn more about German watchmaking at alange-soehne.com.
