A. Lange & Söhne

A lot of Lange fans had requested to Lange during quite a long time the creation of a thin watch. Actually, it was not a true speciality from Lange: the caliber structure and the design of the cases make a Lange watch slightly thicker than a Swiss equivalent. But Lange couldn't miss the opportunity of the redesign of the Saxonia collection to unveil a thin watch:after all, one of the major trends of the industry, including the high-end segment, is the growing part of the simple, elegant and sober watches in the overall offer.

The challenge for Lange was to create this thin watch... by keeping everything that makes a Lange watch so special.

I consider this Saxonia Thin as the most interesting watch of the new Saxonia collection because it takes fully advantage of some of its improvements.

When we analyse the new Saxonia collection, it doesn't seem to be very far from the old one. But subtles changes were made, mainly to make the case more elegant (some would say that it loses a bit its german style) and to put in harmony the second hand with the main hands.





What are the changes brought to the case? There are basically two changes:
- the shape of the lugs. They become a bit more curved to better follow the wrist.
- the crown which has been redesigned to make the winding operation easier.

These changes are important in the context of the Saxonia Thin for its elegancy, its confort on the wrist... but they don't explain why the watch is... thin.

The key point is caliber L093.1 which has a thickness of 2,9mm. To give you an idea, the classic handwind movement from Lange used by by the first 1815 and by the current handwind Saxonia, the L941.1 has a thickness of 3,2mm.





If we compare them more precisely, we get the following data:

caliber	L0931.1	L941.1
diameter	28mm	25,6mm
thickness	2,9mm	3,2mm
power reserve	72 hours	45 hours
frequency	3hz	3hz

More power reserve in a thinner movement, that's a good move from Lange! I don't need to mention that we stay within the same quality standards of a Lange caliber in both terms of finishings or pleasure at the daily use.

Aesthetically, the two calibers are very different even if they are... similar: the L941.1 has a 3/4 plate which hides almost everything while the L0931.1 has visible wheels on the 3/4 plate. They give a more enjoyable view.





The 72 hours of power reserve are "logical" for an elegant watch: you can leave it for the week end and put it back on your wrist on Monday morning without the need to set the time again.

There is obviously another detail which makes the watch thinner than usual: the absence of the second hand.

Creating a two hands watch is, in my point of view, a very difficult task as you have to avoid the "boring dial" obstacle. So the very few parts on the dial have to bring enough subtlety to not engender a feeling to wear an inert watch. And hopefully the Lange designers managed to display a lovely hands & indexes combo. The hands are the typical Lange hands. The plain dial makes them... longer, thinner. A very interesting visual effect. The indexes are also the typical ones... but these indexes are applied on the dial without the close presence of the minutes scale. And this changes everything. Without this scale, the indexes exist by themselves and look more original than ever: they actually look like an exclamation mark... maybe the symbol of the surprise brought by this watch?





The Saxonia Thin has a very slender style thanks to its diameter/thickness ratio of 40mm/5,9mm. 40mm may appear to be big for such type of watch but at the end, this size enhances the beauty of the dial. Due to the absence of the second hand and of the minutes scale, the watch looks bigger than the 1815 which has the same size. This is a point not to be forgotten if you hesitate between these two models.

The Saxonia Thin only exists for the time being with a PG case. Due to its style, I believe that it is the most suitable metal color for it... but a WG or PT version with rhodiumed hands would be very nice too. I don't think that blued hands would work the same way, I associate them so much to the minute scale and they would bring too much contrast on the dial.





Anyway... the current version is a great achievement from Lange. Because with this watch, Lange explores a new territory... with flawless details which make the Saxonia Thin very recognizable as a Lange watch.

Thanks a lot to the Lange team for the warm welcome at the SIHH Lange booth.

Fr.Xavier

Inspired, beautiful .. It just needs a white metal version.... To make me fall.

Best,

Nicolas.

What would you prefer: the rhodiumed hands (my fav choice) or blued hands ?

Fx

Platinum case, black dial rodhied hands.

If in white gold, silver dial and heated blue hands.

Best,

Nicolas.

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e

Fantastic...complete review.

Great job foversta, great watch....
my favourite LANGE this year.

When I 1st saw it I was surprised at the offering, and my very 1st question was whether it hacks or not since there is no seconds hand ( which it does, shows that Lange does not forget who they really are).

Every part of this masterpiece satisfies my criteria except the case material being offered. A platinum case would be nice, although I heard that the saxonia thin shall be offered in pg exclusively, I wonder if Lange would bow down to the demands of the market. As they say never say never, so let's just wait and see.

As an even more wishful thinking, how about an enamel dial with blued steel hands? I'd like that one very much.

Merci beaucoup for the report Xavier!

Tschuss

Stephen

Very well written, as usual.

But unlike you, honestly, this is not my favorite Lange this year....  First, I only wear white metal watches now , but secondly, why they had to make it bigger than or equal to 40mm while the movement is not so extremely big is the head scratcher.  I am also not a big fan of 40mm or larger DRESS (or business) watches.

I admit, the dial design is so elegant and it satisfies the thin two hands design requirement - kudos to Lange team.  But unless I see white metal version and a bit smaller one, this will not enter my radar screen....  Sorry, my strike zone is sometimes very narrow (admittedly, with lots of exceptions

Nonetheless, very informative review.

Thank you, FX!
Ken

This message has been edited by KIH on 2011-04-05 19:39:20

40mm dress watches.I know the nature of a slim dress watch would require a smaller case for proportions ,but I think in modern days where not only these watches will be domain of older,classic businessmen but also younger enthusiasts,a bigger case will give a more"macho"kick suitable to the taste of many(me included).

The new Saxonia UT,for its size,brings back a comparison with a watch we are discussing quite a bit lately:the VC Patrimony Contemporaine PT.

It would be nice to see a PT Saxonia for the comparison....what a match it would be!

A SUT as suggested by Amanico would be amazing even though the classic nature of the watch would be taken away in favour of a younger "sportier"if you like look....

I love big dress watches,,,might consider one for the future...

Mo

Thanks FX for the post .

Hi there Mo,

You probably know very well that i'm with you on this, and i would suggest you consider more the Richard Lange in Platinum.

I have been enjoying mine tremendously all these years, and would reckon that you will too.

It's the epitomy of dress watches, tells you everything you need to know, comes in at 40.5mm, and gives a wonderful weighty punch as it is crafted from our favourite material.

Take a look below, and tell me what you think....

Tschuss

Stephen

This message has been edited by BluNotte on 2011-04-05 21:22:49

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the RL  Stephen.

The fact is that there are a couple of priorites to come....when time will come,then I will make that decision.

Always a pleasure to see your Platinum companion.

Mo

Try not to delay it too much my friend!

Those who end up with it always tell me, why oh why did i not purchase it sooner!

Cheers

Stephen

This new Saxonia Thin is absolutely delicious.  The hour markers are my favorite part of the dial.  The movement is beautifully Lange.  If only it was a white metal with silver dial and blued hands.  What could be more lovely!? 

Cheers,
Daos

I am not sure that I like the dial that much though.

I find it a little bland even if I understand all your explanations on how they tried to spruce it up with the hands.

Best regards,

George

And beautifully captured I must say.

the three-quarter plate and the balance between movement size and case size (I find the case both too big in relation to the height and too big in relation to the movement). So, not my favorite.

Best

Andreas

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"I've got to make it show yeah, HEY".

As Peter Gabiel is saying it all ...


TOO big, I fear, therefore mostlikely (I have to see it first): Saxonia?: "No points".


Thanks for the enjoyable review!



Regards

Moritz

It would go nicely with:
1. My other Lange's
2. My other thin watches.

I think the design is simply elegant and elegantly simple!
Joseph

Now, I would like to see it again at my AD !



Fx

Would have preferred the hands to be different metal colour to the hour index markers, which looks like matchsticks to me. Lugs also looks extremely short, and the leather strap is scrapping against the case?

Best,

Horo

thanks FX

I don't mind getting this in white metal even I already have RL

HANWE

Nice watch! Dressy and elegant, all that you could want in a dress watch. Thanks for the post.
Cheers
SamEE