The Saxonia Automatic Outsize date is one of two limited edition watches from Lange & Sohne which were presented at Watches & Wonders, the show held in Hong Kong in September. It embodies the return of the three quarter rotor movement, the famous Sax-O-Mat, in the context of a simple watch. As you know, this movement is currently available in the permanent collection only through the two calendar watches, the Saxonia Annual Calendar and the Langematik Perpetual. Although the reasons for the growing use of automatic movements with central rotor are quite valid (one of them being that the central rotor allows the use of a barrel with a larger diameter and therefore to increase the power reserve while maintaining a relative small caliber height), I regret that automatic watches without complication are not powered by the Sax-O-Mat anymore. Fortunately, the Saxonia Automatic Outsize Date rekindles the flame hoping that it prefigures, we never know, the come-back of the Sax-O-Mat in the permanent collection with a three-hands watch.
In absolute terms, the Saxonia Automatic Outsize date is a beautiful watch. Beyond the Sax-O-Mat movement which is its main asset, it is distinguished by its elegance and balance thanks to a suitable case size, perfect for a dressy and elegant piece. However, despite its 37mm diameter, the Saxonia Automatic Outsize date does not appear as a small watch. The double window of the big date display brings a lot of character: I must admit that I appreciate the absence of zero during the first 9 days of the month because it alters the aesthetic balance of the dial by making it... asymmetric. This gives the impression of having two different watches, one chasing the other on the 10th day of the month. And then the second hand sector imposes its size, occupying almost completely the lower middle area of ??the dial. This is a very nice feeling which proves that the diameter of the movement perfectly matches the case one. The aesthetic success of the dial is complemented by the typical Saxonia style applied index and the discreet peripheral minutes scale.
Of course, the main feature of the watch is found on the other side of the case. The L921.4 movement is therefore back in business and instantly seduces by its flawless execution and the beauty of its architecture enhanced by the three quarter rotor. The rotor made in 21K gold, weighed in its periphery by an inertial platinum mass acts effectively on the mainspring through a bi-directional winding and helped by 4 ball bearings. The three quarter rotor allows to enjoy without any restriction the finishing work around the regulating organ and the engraving of the balance bridge. The Sax-O-Mat faithfully embodies the aesthetic approach of Lange & Söhne represented notably by the blued screws and the perfect continuity of the Glashutte ribbing on the bridges and plate. I particularly like the refinement of the rotor and the contrast between the two materials. Less demonstrative than the central rotor movements, the Sax-O-Mat is however, in my opinion, more subtle.
Its performance is logically consistent with the other Sax-O-Mat movements ones with a frequency of 3hz and a power reserve of 46 hours. The zero-reset is of course a key characteristic of the movement: by pulling the crown, the second hand returns to zero immediately which greatly facilitates the precise time setting of the watch.
With its suitable size, its overall balance, the Sax-O-Mat movement and the flawless finishes, the Saxonia Automatic Outsize date seems to be a limited edition watch close to perfection. Yet it is not as simple. In fact, it all depends on how we analyze the watch.
As stated above, considering it in the absolute, it has little or no weak point. Unfortunately, a watch is always in a specific context and it is difficult to dismiss the history of the brand and of earlier models, especially in the segment where Lange & Söhne evolves. I have a main reproach to make following the presentation of this Saxonia, that the Lange & Söhne team didn't use a more daring approach. Because if I analyze this Saxonia more from a historical perspective, the balance is not as favorable. I think it is a bit a pity that a watch subject of a limited edition of 25 pieces and which will be sold without any difficulty is so close to the Saxonia Automatic presented in 2007. Finally only very slight differences can be found such as the curved Sax-O-Mat word at 4 o'clock or the tens digits in the second hand sector (both characteristics of Langematik style) without forgetting the minutes scale.
Is it enough to give interest to this limited edition? I will not demand from Lange & Söhne that each and every limited series feature the systematic implementation of new complications as it was the case in the past with the 1815 Emil Lange or the 1815 Kalenderwoche! But I think we could have hoped for at least a bolder dial, which contrasts more compared to the rather conventional proposal silver dial / rose gold case. A black or blue dial with a white gold case would have been more suitable I believe. Finally, I would have found this Saxonia Automatic Outsize date a lot more as its ease in the permanent collection (and no one would have criticized the return of Sax-O-Mat with a three-hands watch!) than as the object of a limited edition to the attention of the worldwide Lange & Söhne boutiques. The Saxonia Automatic Outsize date therefore leaves me with mixed feelings: the watch is perfect and meets the criteria of quality of the brand, but it remains in my mind the impression that the opportunity for a more daring and ambitious aesthetic approach was missed. It is a pity!
The Saxonia Automatic Outsize date is only available in pink gold, in a limited edition of 25 pieces and through exclusively the Lange & Söhne boutiques.
Thanks a lot to the staff of the Lange & Söhne boutique of Paris.
Pros:
+ The pleasure to find again the Sax-O-Mat movement in the context of a three-hands watch
+ The 37mm diameter, ideal for an elegant watch
+ The flawless finishings
+ The Zero-reset system
Cons:
- The watch is too close to the Saxonia Automatic 2007, it is the reason why it is far from being the most exciting limited edition. Lange & Söhne should dare more in these specific frameworks to offer watches that stand out more than the current permanent collection.
