Here's another one of our favorite pieces this year at the SIHH 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Presented in a limited edition of 200 watches in a 41 mm x 9.5 mm platinum case, the new A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase 'Lumen' combines a brilliant moon-phase display with a mystically luminous outsize date that reflects the characteristic style of the brand. Three years later, after the first appearance of a 'Lumen' model in 2013, the new A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen is the new iteration of the watch that back then made huge headlines. Introduced in 2013, the Grand Lange 1 'Lumen', was presented as a watch with a semi-transparent sapphire-crystal dial that exposed the ingenious disc configuration of the Lange oversize date with luminous material. A year later in 2014, the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase was presented —you can see our hands-on here— with a prominent moon phase display. Now, this year at the SIHH 2016 the new Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen combines these two remarkable accomplishments in one stunning timepiece.
The dial of the new model is made of blackened silver with ample apertures and black-tinted, semi-transparent sapphire-crystal glass. The special coating applied to the glass blocks most of the visible light but not the UV spectra that “charges” the luminous pigments on the outsize-date mechanism and cause them to glow in the dark. The tens cross is coated with a white luminous compound and printed with black numerals. The dial additionally features the traditional subdial for the running seconds at 5 o'clock and the handy power reserve indicator between 2 and 3 o'clock.
Conversely, the units disc, also featuring black numerals, is made of transparent glass and rotates in front of the luminous background of the date aperture.
Different from Lange’s previous moon-phase models with solid gold moon discs, the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase 'Lumen' has a disc made of sapphire. Initially, its surface is treated with a patented coating process, then, a laser is used to cut out 1164 stars and the moon.
Thanks to the luminous compound behind the lunar disc, they shimmer with vibrant radiance. The large moon phase display occupies a prominent position on the main dial. Once properly set, it only needs to be corrected by one day every 122.6 years.
Featuring all of the quality highlights of an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece, the beating heart inside the new Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen is the manual wound calibre L095.4 composed of 446 parts, 45 jewels —7 in gold chatons—, three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver decorated with Glashütte ribbing and a classic screw balance with a free-sprung balance spring crafted in-house. The movement provides a power reserve of 3 days —72 hours— while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph.
The watch is fitted with a black hand-stitched alligator leather strap with Lange deployant buckle in matching platinum. On the wrist, the watch wears true to its actual size and very comfortably. Weight wise in the range of 120-140 grams. The new A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen is only available in a limited edition of 200 pieces.
Sticker Price 59,000 Euros. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.
