March 19, 2024
Richard Lange Seconde Sautante

The Saxonia collection represents entry level pricing for A. Lange & Söhne, and there are two versions of this Saxonia, one in white gold and the other in pink stone. Both are priced at $16,100. In contrast, the 37mm men’s Saxonia is priced at $14,800, (together with all the Caliber L093.1) and the 40mm at $24,500. But neither of these have the small seconds or mother-of-pearl dial. Both the tiny Lange 1 Moon Phase and Saxonia appeal to different sub-markets in the ladies watch marketplace and Lange has presented some truly fantastic pieces.The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2017 has become concluded, and the aBlogtoWatch team is predictably exhausted. We tried something new this year — a video log (vlog) show — to assist catch what it’s like to be at the show. Combining high excitement and energy-draining hours, we’re happy people enjoyed that quite intimate look behind the scenes and exactly what it’s like to attend the “world’s most prestigious” high-end watch trade show.In my 9th year attending SIHH (itself at its 27th year) I’d like to once more recap the overall sentiment of the show as well as point out key highlights which we believe the general watch-loving public should be excited about in 2017. Before we get to our best 11 watches of SIHH 2017, I’d like to explore the general watch and luxury industry setting so that people get a clearer idea of why particular products are being created — and also for whom.It was a particularly cold and blustery week in Geneva, Switzerland, throughout SIHH 2017. Our lodging near Lake Geneva offered a first-rate perspective of what struck me as a suitable metaphor for the industry’s current circumstance. High winds blew across the water causing not only surfable waves (in case you’ve got an Iceman-like tolerance for cold) but also spilling onto the adjoining walking paths that from the summer and spring make for popular walking avenues for fans and languishers alike. The high winds and ominous lake waves seemed a fitting metaphor for the luxury watch industry which is continuing to experience a storm.

The Richard Lange Jumping Seconds pays tribute to watches for scientific observation and puts the focus on the smallest of the three time measurement units, the seconds. This limited 100-watch edition features a unique combination of jumping second, constant-force escapement, zero-reset mechanism, and prominent regulator dial layout within its 39,9 mm pink gold case.

In 60 steps per minute, the blued seconds hand advances along the upper and largest circle of the puristic regulator dial of the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. The cadence is defined by a one-second constant-force escapement that serves two purposes. On the one hand, it delivers the switching impulse for the seconds jump, and, on the other, it assures constant power delivery for the entire power reserve of 42 hours. A small indication in the intersection of the three time circles tells the owner when to rewind the watch: it switches to red ten hours in advance.

The Saxonia collection represents entry level pricing for A. Lange & Söhne, also you will find two versions of the Saxonia, one in white gold and the other in pink stone. But neither of these have the small moments or mother-of-pearl dial. Both the Little Lange 1 Moon Phase and Saxonia appeal to different sub-markets in the ladies watch marketplace and Lange has presented some truly fantastic pieces.The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2017 is now concluded, and the aBlogtoWatch group is predictably exhausted. We tried something new this year — a video log (vlog) series — to help capture what it is like to be in the show. Combining high enthusiasm and energy-draining hours, we are happy people enjoyed that quite intimate look behind the scenes and exactly what it’s like to attend the “world’s most prestigious” high-end watch trade show.In my 9th year attending SIHH (itself in its 27th year) I’d like to once more recap the general sentiment of the series as well as point out key highlights that we believe the overall watch-loving public ought to be enthusiastic about in 2017. Before we reach our top 11 watches of SIHH 2017, I’d love to learn more about the general watch and luxury industry setting so that folks get a clearer idea of why particular goods are being made — and for whom.It was a particularly cold and blustery week in Geneva, Switzerland, during SIHH 2017. Our accommodations near Lake Geneva offered a first-rate perspective of exactly what struck me as a suitable metaphor for the industry’s current circumstance. High winds blew across the water causing not just surfable waves (if you’ve got an Iceman-like tolerance for cold) but also spilling on the adjoining walking paths that from the spring and summer make for popular walking paths for fans and languishers alike. The seas and menacing lake waves seemed a fitting metaphor for the luxury watch industry which is continuing to experience a storm.

Richard Lange Seconde Sautante

Richard Lange Jumping Seconds © A. Lange & Söhne

The function of the constant-force escapement can be observed close up through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The aperture reveals how the remontoir spring of the constant-force escapement receives fresh energy from the mainspring barrel every second to power the escapement at the same rate. Just below it, under a transparent jewel bearing, there is a star connected to the fourth-wheel arbor that controls the jumping seconds sequence. The zero-reset mechanism is also easily visible. When the crown is pulled, it stops the cam-poised balance and instantly propels the seconds hand to the zero position. This allows the watch to be conveniently and precisely synchronised with a time signal or a radio-controlled clock. An innovative multi-disc clutch reliably stabilises the large seconds hand throughout the accelerating and braking phases to assure perfect one-second legibility of the time.

The timepiece is fitted with a reddish-brown hand-stitched alligator leather strap, equipped with a Lange prong buckle in pink gold.

Richard Lange Seconde Sautante

The Lange manufacture calibre L094.1 can be seen through the sapphire-crystal caseback © A. Lange & Söhne