Lange Saxonia Annual Calendar

Hi guys. I need a bit of help concerning my next purchase.

As with most of my watch purchases, it's the same old this vs that blah blah blah. This time it is this or a Patek. I get the impression here that when it comes to Annual Calendars, Pateks are the perennial favourite at these price points. None of the Patek's have really wowed me over. If I had to pick one from the Patek offering, it would most probably be either the 5205 or 5146. Then again, I would struggle to make a choice between them. And to be fair I have not seen the 5205 in grey dial yet. I thought it might be the one to go for if I were to choose the 5205. Sound confusing enough?

I like the clean dial of the Lange Saxonia AC in white gold, and tried to do the usual due diligence but it seems that there hasn't been much discussion of this watch here. I actually struggle to find wrist shots from actual owners so it would be great if any owner chime in on their experience of owning this watch. According to the AD, the date is not an instant jump over but neither is the 5205 (from what I had been told), so it's not a big deal to me. And that the moonphase of the Lange AC is based on its Saxomatic Perpetual Calendar cousin so that seems pretty cool.

The pics shown here are taken at a couple of AD's. The watches do not belong to me. Would appreciate if anyone could share your thoughts on the watch. Thank you.

Regards,

iAn

💰437 Marketplace Listings for A. Lange and Söhne›A. Lange and Söhne 1815 · 2 for sale · 4352 discussions›A. Lange and Söhne Saxonia · 1 for sale · 1486 discussions›

Hi Ianny, at the end of the day it remains your choice....

By: Sandgroper : November 21st, 2012-00:58

I have had a PP5396R and I personally prefer its dial to both PP5205 and PP5146, why? Well in my opinion the dial of the 5146 is not well balanced, the subdials at 9 something and 2 something are too close to the centre and the little date at 6 is odd.......

and never will. The Saxonia Annual Calendar is nice - nothing more, nothing less. I just miss some spice and it leaves me cold at the end. The PP 5205G with grey dial sings loud to me. I liked it from the first day when it was introduced in 2010 and not o...

Thanks Oliver..

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:23

Saw the grey one. Personally, I think it's more legible than the dark dial version. It's a tough but the Lange has the stronger pull factor for me at the moment. I need more time to ponder. Regards, iAn

Some technical advise first ...

By: COUNT DE MONET : November 21st, 2012-05:19

The Pateks are a bit simpler in construction: only wheels based. The Lange uses also bars or pins in theire movement. As a rule: the simpler the better? You decide as both will be pretty reliable. Second technical advise: the Lange has much, much more pot...

Thanks Moritz. The coin is still in the air... [nt]

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:26

Very difficult choice...

By: foversta : November 21st, 2012-09:57

I own a 5205G and I think it is the most beautiful Annual Calendar from Patek. The Saxonia Annual Calendar has for me several assets: - a very readable big date which is after all what we read the most on the calendar - a balanced dial - the sax-o-mat mov...

Thanks for the photos.

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:29

Could you share with me why you chose the Patek 5205 over the Lange AC? Thanks. Regards, iAn

Lange and Patek Annual Calendars

By: rld : November 23rd, 2012-03:48

Hi Ianny, Personally I think it is tough call choosing between the Lange Saxonia AC and the Patek 5146. I have both, in white gold; some wrist shots are below. The Lange is an exceptionally legible watch in WG which is something I value a lot for certain ...

Thanks RLD

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:35

This won't be my first Lange. I own a couple of others... As for Patek, I've only got a 5712 and was thinking that the 5205 could beef up my Patek collection. But I also like the idea that this is the first Lange AC, whereas the 5205 is one of the many Pa...

For me, Lange in a heartbeat

By: jkingston : November 23rd, 2012-09:55

For me the Lange far surpasses the PP. To begin with it has a large date, which is a significant added complication. Its presentation is clean and classic. Indeed I prefer the crispness of its layouts to the more complicated perpetual. It's micro rotor mo...

Thanks Jeff. That's quite emphatic. :) [nt]

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:37

Good taste!

By: Gary G : November 23rd, 2012-11:45

I loved the look of the 5205 as soon as I saw it, and was more recently introduced to the Saxonia and found it stunning. Those big, deep blue hands and the big date make for a wonderful presentation! I agree with Oliver that you should definitely look at ...

Thanks Gary.. Yea, those blue hands are hard to resist! [nt]

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:40

Sax AC, followed by 5205, then 5146

By: Hororgasm : November 23rd, 2012-11:56

in the order of preference. elaborate when i see you at the lange boutique tomorrow. coincidentally, i just bought a 5205, but can't bring it to Lange boutique. best, Horo

Thanks Horo..

By: ianny : December 2nd, 2012-09:44

Was nice speaking with you again. I learned heaps during our "short" conversation. Think it was 3 hours plus this time. :) See you again soon mate. Regards, iAn

Lange AC would be the choice

By: chintu : December 3rd, 2012-10:32

1. Big Date - incredible for legibility 2. SAX-0-MAT - the only Annual Calendar watch with Zero Reset of seconds. Incredibly useful when setting the time. 3. Hands - Heat Blued steel 4. Cenrifugal Mass - Platinum. ( I think the 5146 does not have a platin...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts too. [nt]

By: ianny : December 10th, 2012-03:18

Two things

By: QueueCumber : December 3rd, 2012-11:55

1) I would consider a pre-owned Langematik Perpetual over a new Annual, as you may be able to get it for around the same price and you get much more for your money. I have a YG Perpetual and absolutely love it! 2) If you want to compare the Annual to a Pa...

Thanks for the idea. The 5296 certainly looks very nice. I'll go and check that out too. [nt]

By: ianny : December 10th, 2012-03:21

No message body

Go for the one that you love more... Design wise...

By: patrick_y : December 3rd, 2012-23:37

The 5146 is the traditional look, but the 5146G with the gray face has an almost too sporty look. A good look nonetheless. Consider the 5396G which has the look of the old perpetual calendar Patek Philippe watches (3488, 2499, etc.). Personally, the 5396R...

Thanks Patrick...

By: ianny : December 10th, 2012-03:30

What kinds of problems did you have with the Patek AC's? Would you be able to share? Thanks. Regards, iAn

Mostly sticky date problems

By: patrick_y : December 10th, 2012-10:27

With the Patek Philippe ACs. Mostly date problems if I recall (I've seen four with major problems); sometimes the date wouldn't turn properly, get stuck on certain dates, and also the annual calendar wouldn't work, on months with less than 30 days I've se...

Lange's moon display is more precise ...

By: Damo : December 5th, 2012-21:46

Am I right stating that? I will go for the Lange. It has a more classical design which will not be outdated. And that micro rotor ... Damo

I like the moonphase too... But I have been told that the mirco

By: ianny : December 10th, 2012-03:43

motor isn't the most efficient way of powering the watch. In terms of aesthetics, I am leaning towards the Lange though. Regards, iAn

Both are great! I was in the same shoes as you between these choices...

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 11th, 2012-17:05

In the end I got the pp 5146R (rose gold) instead as I love the cream lacquered dial and classical looks. Tough decision! :) I was even comparing these annual calendars with a mont blanc villeret Pulsograph but that was not a fair comparison as that was a...

Welcome to the forum Robin

By: ianny : December 12th, 2012-09:59

And thanks for sharing your experience. Regards, iAn

Thanks Ian!

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 12th, 2012-17:40

Thank you Ian for the welcome! :) I see many Lange fans here and I also love Lange watches but just by chance haven't got one yet. I chose a VC Patrimony Traditionelle over a Lange Saxonia and a PP 5146 over the Lange annual calendar before. Looks like a ...

You could consider the 1815 Chrono...

By: ianny : December 12th, 2012-19:55

It's not big on the wrist. Or the Datograph (39mm). I own a VC Malte Manual Chrono and love it, but IMHO, Lange Chrono's are in a league of its own. Since you are in Singapore, let's meet up to chat some time. Horogasm and I have been chatting quite a fai...

Sure! Let me know

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : December 12th, 2012-23:19

Hi Ian Sure, PM me know when you next meet up! :) Yes, the Datograph.... stunning :D but... very expensive now (very collectible)! Cheers, robin

The final decision ....

By: ianny : December 26th, 2012-09:56

Several trips to the AD were made.... Both were amazing and spoke to me! The Lange Saxonia AC oozes pure class: The Patek 5205 dial is sexy: In the end, I brought the Patek 5205 home. The decision was one of the hardest I've had to make. The Saxonia AC is...

Congratulations iAn,

By: Mark in Paris : December 26th, 2012-10:27

you seem to have conduct your reflection till the end and this surely helped you take the right decision. I guess you'll post your new catch on the Patek side in a new topic for everyone could share ! Wear it in good health. Cheers, Mark

Thanks Mark!

By: ianny : December 27th, 2012-08:51

My only regret is that I didn't have enough dosh to get both. OK, I'll post some pics of the watch on the PP forum. Regards, iAn

A. Lange & Söhne