Starting today and running to the 28th, the Watches and Wonders show in Hong Kong (a new watch show event) brings collectors and enthusiasts closer to some of the world’s best watches. Exhibitors include Cartier, Audemars Piguet, JLC, IWC and A. Lange and Söhne. In honor of the show, not only will A. Lange & Söhne have their amazing Grand Complication on display, but they are also premiering two new limited edition pieces. Launching additions to both the Lange 1 and Saxonia family, these new models are not to be missed and offer top tier complications from one of the world’s premiere watch manufacturers. Each of these new limited edition models contain in-house made automatic movements, which are on the rare side for A. Lange & Söhne.

First, check out the new Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst (ref. 720.048). Limited to 15 pieces, this 41.9 mm platinum-cased watch offers a full perpetual calendar display including a moon-phase, leap year, month, day, outsize date and day/night indicator. The month display is especially cool as it utilizes a peripheral ring around the outside of the dial that is read at six o’clock. Time is read via its own display with a subsidiary seconds indication integrated above the moon-phase display at seven on the dial.

 

Speaking of the dial, that is where the “Handwerkskunst” comes into play. The dial is crafted from solid white gold and is treated to both tremblage and relief engraving decorations that create a beautifully textured dial that doesn’t seem to overpower any other element of the watch. It is easy to go overboard on engraving but the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst incorporates this element in a reserved and classic manner.

Furthermore, the dual aperture outsize date features hand-painted numerals in a lovely shade of blue. If you are curious, the rare “Handwerkskunst” label is only used on select A. Lange & Söhne watches that have handcrafted decoration and engravings on the dials.  This is probably the first automatic version in this sub-family of timepieces that Lange has produced.

In addition to the perpetual calendar, the rear of the Handwerkskunst offers a view of not only the tourbillon and its patented stop-seconds mechanism, but also the beautifully decorated calibre L082.1 manufacture movement. A. Lange & Söhne is known for their movement finishing and the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst was spared no level of decoration with the wheel cocks and rotor receiving a fully hand-engraved finish.

With some 624 components, 76 jewels and a rate of 21,600 vph, the automatic L082.1 is crafted from German silver and offers 50 hours of power reserve. Finished with a sapphire crystal and a crocodile strap with a matching platinum deployant buckle, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst will be available exclusively through A. Lange & Söhne’s international boutiques.

Second up is the seriously slick ALS Saxonia Automatic Outsize Date (ref. 308.047). Coming in at 37 x 9.7 mm, this automatic dress watch is signature Lange, featuring a beautifully balanced dial with a central outsized date at twelve and a large seconds display at six. Powered by the ALS in-house L921.4 Sax-0-Mat movement, the Saxonia Automatic Outside Date has a rather practical special feature. The Sax-0-Mat movement resets the seconds hand to zero when the crown is pulled out, allowing for fuss-free synchronization with an accurate time source.

I think this feature is amazing and would be exceedingly handy if you were fortunate enough to call this ALS your daily-wearer. The L921.4 is comprised of 378 parts including 45 jewels and offers bi-directional winding via its micro rotor to a total power reserve of 46 hours. Available only in pink gold, the Saxonia Automatic Outsize Date is limited to 25 units and will be sold exclusively through A. Lange & Söhne’s international boutiques.

A. Lange & Söhne is the only German brand showing at the Watches and Wonders fair in Hong Kong, and is has to be said that they’ve brought their A-Game to the East. The Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst is a great example of what ALS is capable of when they seek to enhance their already world-renowned haute horology designs and the Saxonia Automatic Outsize Date exemplifies their more reserved side and offers an interesting and noteworthy feature that should appeal to both collectors and enthusiasts alike.

If you’re in Hong Kong over the next three days, don’t miss out on the chance to see some truly exciting and fantastically rare watches at the Watches and Wonders Fair. alange-soehne.com