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Ahand-engraved lunar disc in white gold distinguishes the Little Lange 1 Moon Phase launched by A. Lange & Sohne on the occasion of the 25th birthday of the Lange 1 from the standard version. It has a diameter of 36.8 millimeters and debuts in a limited edition of merely 25 watches.
As the ninth of a total of ten special models, the Little Lange 1 Moon Phase 25th Anniversary recalls the spectacular presentation of the Lange 1 on 24 October 1994. The hallmarks of the systematically two-toned anniversary edition include a white-gold case, a silver-colored dial in solid silver with blue printed elements and blued steel hands.
The color concept is echoed by a characteristic movement detail: the blue lined engraving of the balance cock in German silver features a depiction of the outsize date in relief with the number “25” to match the anniversary. The watch is worn on a dark blue alligator leather strap with a white-gold buckle.
As all manually wound timepieces of the Lange 1 family, the Little Lange 1 Moon Phase – first introduced in 2017 – has an asymmetric dial with an outsize date and an up/down power reserve display. The moon-phase indication is so precise that it only has to be corrected by one day every 122.6 years.
As was already the case with the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase 25th Anniversary, this special edition also features a hand-engraved lunar disc. Six stars and numerous little dots depict the starry sky and together with the applied golden moons form a three-dimensional heavenly canopy.
The manufacture caliber L121.2, painstakingly finished, polished, and decorated by hand, runs at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations an hour and due to its twin mainspring barrel only needs to be rewound every three days.
Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the cornerstone of Saxony’s precision watchmaking industry when he established his manufactory in 1845. His precious pocket watches remain highly coveted among collectors all over the world. The company was expropriated after World War II, and the name A. Lange & Söhne nearly vanished.
In 1990, Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s great-grandson Walter Lange had the courage to make a new start. Today, Lange crafts only a few thousand wristwatches in gold or platinum per year. They are endowed exclusively with proprietary movements that are lavishly decorated and twice assembled by hand. With 63 manufacture calibers developed since 1994, A. Lange & Söhne has secured a top-tier position in the world of watchmaking.