Under the Midnight Moon: A. Lange & Söhne's Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar
5 min read
The moon has long inspired marvel and imagination, its mystique indelibly linked to the passage of time. Now the storied German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne harnesses the moon's magic in the new platinum Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar, its shimmering midnight blue moonphase display taking center stage on a deep black dial. The dark beauty of this timepiece is imbued with horological history and innovation.
Since its founding in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the Saxony-based manufacture has been guided by its founder's edict: "Never stand still." Lange built a reputation for technical ingenuity, evidenced by world-firsts including the three-quarter plate in 1848 and the first German chronometer in 1867. The early 20th century brought Lange pocket watches to international acclaim. However, WWII devastation forced the company into a four-decade slumber, until Lange's great-grandson revived the brand in 1990.
A. Lange & Söhne immediately soared back to prominence with icons like the Lange 1, its asymmetric layout with outsize date disrupting watch design convention. The Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar introduced in 2021 exemplifies the manufacture's innovative spirit, with an instantaneously jumping peripheral month ring seamlessly integrating the complication into the constrained off-center dial space.
The new platinum edition takes the innovation further, the black dial blanketing the moonphase in the deepest night sky. Lange's signature precision is evident in the 29.5-day lunar cycle, realistically modeled right down to the moon's face visible in shadow. A day/night indicator orbits the moon, emphasizing the passage of time. Solid silver hands sweep over blackened subdials, the inky palette broken only by glimpses of platinum and the white-gold moon.
Peer through the sapphire caseback and Lange's dedication to fine watchmaking is on full display. The hand-finished self-winding caliber L021.3 movement dazzles, from blackened German silver plates to the 21k gold rotor and hand-engraved balance cock. Beauty and complexity intertwine, just as the darkness of night gives way to dawn.
With the new platinum Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar, the Saxon manufacture once again reaffirms its mastery of watchmaking artistry paired with technical innovation. A darkly sublime celebration of lunar timekeeping.
