Thousands of tiny stars seem to sparkle on the dark-blue dial of the new A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase in its 18K white gold case with or without diamonds on its bezel. It is coated with dark-blue gold flux that shimmers with a copper hue. A white gold moon accurately orbits along its course beneath the iconic Lange outsize date. The second version with diamonds features a bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut top Wesselton VVS diamonds —1.2 carats— creates a radiant frame for the fascinating dial.

The fascination of a bright moonlit night is the motif of the new Little Lange 1 Moon Phase. Its eye-catcher is the solid silver dial coated with shimmering dark-blue gold flux; the sparkling copper particles evoke a starry nocturnal sky. The applied Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock as well as the star-shaped hour markers between them are crafted from rhodium gold just like the hands. The dark hue of the dial is echoed by the outsize date and the white-gold lunar disc with its 628 stars. A dark-blue, shiny leather strap with sparkling pigments and a solid white-gold buckle complements the elegant appearance of the watch. In the second version, 56 brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the bezel of the white-gold case with a diameter of 36.8 millimeters.

The elegant combination of aesthetic appeal and precision in a watch is demonstrated by the Little Lange 1 Moon Phase with a moon-phase display calculated to remain accurate for 122.6 years. Only after this short eternity, the deviation from the synodic lunar cycle would add up to one day, provided the watch runs without interruption for that duration. More realistically, a correction might be necessary occasionally if the watch remains unwound for an extended period of time. The corrector between 7 and 8 o’clock allows the display to be updated quickly and easily, however. A corrector that is also recessed in the case between 10 and 11 o’clock advances the outsize date day by day.

The Lange manufacture calibre L121.2 is a manual wound movement, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand and composed of 411 parts. The movement provides a power reserve of 3 days when fully wound. With the typical manifestations of Lange watchmaking artistry, such as the three-quarter plate in German silver decorated with Glashütte ribbing, the hand-engraved balance cock, and the gold chatons secured with cornflower-blue steel screws can be admired through the sapphire-crystal case back. Assembled twice, the artisanally immaculate timepiece is a true gem of a watch.

With the configuration of an off-centered dial layout, the outsize date, the power-reserve indicator, the twin mainspring barrel, and a three-day movement, the A. Lange & Söhne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase has all of the technical features of the Lange 1, arguably the best-known face of the eminent Saxon manufactory.

Sticker Price $44.900 USD and $56,600 USD with diamonds. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.