SIHH: Lange’s New Saxonia Thin

For 2011 Lange is redsigning the Saxonia family, and the new Saxonia Thin offers discrete luxury and classic elegance in a case that measures only 5.9mm thick. And at 40mm in diameter, the Saxonia Thin makes a stylish statement on the wrist. This is the thinnest timepiece crafted to date by the venerable Saxon manufactory. The strength of this piece is its focus on the essence of a watch: the time in hours and minutes, and nothing more. Yet despite this focus, the Saxonia Thin remains unmistakably A. Lange & Söhne. A few key details embody hallmarks of the brand: a well-balanced presentation, a succinct minute scale, svelte baton hour markers, and lancet hands blend harmoniously to inform all who see it of the deep roots behind this piece. To fit the thin case, A. Lange & Söhne developed an equally slim manually wound movement that can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback. The new caliber L093.1 has a diameter of 28 millimeters and is a mere 2.9 millimeters thick. The movement also exhibits the finissage for which Lange is known. Nothing has been sacrificed to achieve the demure dimensions. The movement uses the German-silver three-quarter plate with Glashütte ribbing as well as chamfered and polished edges. Gold chatons are secured with thermally blued screws, and sunray finish is applied to the wheels that are visibly integrated in the plate. The movement features an indexless oscillation system that beats with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour and can rely on an ample power reserve of 72 hours. The escapement bears the typical A. Lange & Söhne signature: the free-hand engraving on the balance cock. The retail price will be 16,300 euros in pink gold with silver dial. Technical specifications appear below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.