A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold Watch Review
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold – Ref 211.088 – is a new variant for 2021 and features a pink gold 40mm case with a ‘gold-flux-faced dial in dark blue’. The model is limited to just 50 pieces and is destined to elicit nods of approval from the cognoscenti. US-based Meehna Goldsmith shares her thoughts on this sublime creation from Saxony.
A. Lange & Söhne – beautifully complicated pieces
A. Lange & Söhne crafts some of the most beautifully complicated pieces. Just take a gander at the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater and Datograph Perpetual and you’ll understand why the brand is beloved by connoisseurs. Although A. Lange & Söhne place much value on creating stunning innovations, that doesn’t mean it ignores its less technically advanced children. Case in point: the Saxonia.
When Walter Lange, great-grandson of the founder, revived the brand in 1994, it presented four timepieces in its debut collection. One of those was the Saxonia. Over almost 30 years, the Saxonia has been a valuable and consistent player on Lange & Söhne’s team.
Image – three new models for 2021 (L to R): Saxonia Thin Pink Gold, Cabaret Tourbillon Handwerkskunst & Langematik Perpetual Calendar
In an interview, CEO of Lange & Söhne, Wilhelm Schmid, calls the Saxonia line of watches the most German of the brand’s lineup from a design perspective, and that’s because they’re so straightforward and strong.
A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold – dial
For 2021, Lange & Söhne adds another sibling to the Saxonia line, and she’s quite a beauty, not to mention a limited edition. In this new iteration, the Saxonia Thin dazzles with a mesmerising dial resembling an inky firmament sparkling with stars. Starting with a solid-silver dial, the effect is achieved by applying a thin layer of blue-gold flux.
What exactly is blue-gold flux? The brand explains the process was born in 17th century Venice. To achieve this effect, artisans infuse molten glass with copper particles, creating tiny crystals when heated over a low flame. The embedded crystals reflect ambient light that gives the dial its sparkly shimmer. A. Lange & Söhne first used the technique on the Saxonia Thin released in 2018.
The Saxonia is the perfect model for A. Lange & Söhne to apply blue-flux. Its bold, clean design provides a wonderful canvas to showcase the technique. Framing the starry night expanse, the thin bezel highlights the dial. The slender hands and applied hour markers, also comprised of 18-carat gold to match the case, complement the dreamy landscape.
A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold – calibre L941.1
The dial is gorgeous, but we all know that what’s inside also counts. The Saxonia Thin gets life from the calibre L941.1, first introduced in 2015. The movement is on display through the exhibition back, where you’ll see the characteristic three-quarter plate in German silver, hand-engraved balance cock, classic screw balance and gold chatons. As an added bonus, the pallet-fork cock is grained and bevelled on its edges. In addition to receiving A. Lange & Söhne’s finishing goodies, the Saxonia Thin can also boast the distinction of being the trimmest watch on the brand’s bill, standing at 6.2 mm.
Often considered the finest finish in production watches, A. Lange & Söhne decorates this movement with flourish, especially considering this is the Manufactory’s entry-level movement. Gold chatons, along with the graining, hand-engraving and bevelling, is expensive and not necessary for precise timekeeping. They are extra delights not often found on watches at this price point.
A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold – case
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold – Ref 211.088 comes in a 40 mm case with cambered lugs that ensure a nice fit to the wrist. Combined with a dark blue leather strap, echoing the colour of the dial, and the pink gold buckle, harmonising with the case, the whole piece comes together.
With the unfortunate and devastating pandemic, we could all use some sparkle in our lives. This Saxonia Thin offers an enchanting opportunity to wish upon a star at any time of the day or night.
Limited to an edition of 50, the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Pink Gold – Ref 211.088 retails for £23,500 (RRP as at 2.9.2021).
Further reading
https://www.alange-soehne.com/
Technical specifications
- Model: A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin pink gold with gold-flux-faced dial in dark-blue
- Reference: 211.088
- Case: 18-carat pink gold; diameter 40 mm; height 6.2 mm; sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes
- Movement: Calibre L093.1; manual movement; frequency 21,600 vph (3 Hz); 21 jewels; power reserve = 72 hours
- Strap: Blue strap with 18-carat pink gold pin buckle
- Price: £23,500 (RRP as of 2.9.2021)