Perhaps the most easy-to-love new A. Lange & Söhne watch debuted at SIHH 2016 is the novel Saxonia Moon Phase. Not the brand’s most complicated debut, nor its most innovative, the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase nevertheless charms because of its welcome mixture of features and style to form a package that I believe most watch enthusiasts will agree is “beautiful.”

In addition to a useful automatic movement, the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase is defined by a dial that includes both a moon phase indicator window as well as a big date indicator (in addition to the time, that is). German linguistic extremism is perhaps at its best here, as A. Lange & Söhne has always (and continues to) refer to its “big date” as “outsize date” indicators. The rarely used (at least in the USA) term “outsize” means something that is “exceptionally large,” according to most dictionaries. Big date indicators use two discs (versus one) to indicate the date. I understand that for legibility the point is for the date to be “larger,” but it is the date here “extremely large?” Yes, Ariel is perhaps spending too much time focusing on naming conventions once again, but as a company whose focus is remarkable precision in design, manufacturing, and performance – it is humorous to see terms, titles, and names that don’t necessarily abide by the same rules.

Anyhow, the Saxonia collection is where you go for more simple and arguably “dressy” A. Lange & Söhne watches as the collection is typified by its use of baton-style hour markers and an overall design aesthetic that feels both classic and Bauhaus minimalist. Use of text is kept to a minimum, but there is some on the dial of the Saxonia Moon Phase for good measure. In addition to the text for the brand name and the subtle “Made in Germany” label, you have some numerals in the subsidiary seconds dial (but just a few) and, of course, in the big date indicator window.

Visual symmetry and good use of dial space and proportions account for the lovely view of the Saxonia Moon Phase dial. At launch, A. Lange & Söhne will offer the watch in both 18k white gold (reference 384.026) as well as 18k pink gold (384.032). What needs to be done in order to get a honey gold model? The dials are solid silver with a silver color and the cases are an extremely wearable 40mm wide (and just 9.8mm thick). Such dimensions provide for a size that is almost universally appreciated as a fantastic size for a relatively slim dress watch, and I think A. Lange & Söhne will do very well with this (as already mentioned) easy-to-love new model.

Inside the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase watch is the new in-house-made A. Lange & Söhne calibre L086.5 automatic movement – which apparently is the brand’s 16th movement to feature a moon phase indicator. A. Lange & Söhne produces their moon phase indicator systems to require no adjustments for 122.6 years. The beautiful moon phase indicator disc is blued-gold and laser cut to display “no fewer than” 852 stars in addition to the moons.

The movement has an operating frequency of 3Hz (21,600bph) with a nice long power reserve of 72 hours (three days). Produced from 325 parts, you’ll receive all of A. Lange & Söhne’s famous (and utterly meticulous) hand-finishing and decoration, as well as testing (and retesting). The crown is used for manually winding the movement and setting the time, while in-set case pushers are used to adjust the date and moon phase. Attached to the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase watches are either black or brown hand-stitched alligator straps.

I am pretty sure that with its combination of visual style, wearing comfort, and movement utility, it isn’t difficult to understand what I love about it, and why many other people will likely also love the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase watch. It is always nice to see what A. Lange & Söhne comes out with each year as their new collections are always a mix of exotic novelties as well as fresh takes on familiar concepts such as the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase. Price for both the white and pink gold is 28,500 €. alange-soehne.com