Description
A. Lange & Söhne’s legacy dates back to 1845 when Ferdinand Adolph Lange established his watchmaking company in Glashütte, Saxony. The brand’s revival in 1990, following German reunification, marked a new chapter in horological excellence.
Brand Heritage
The modern A. Lange & Söhne maintains its founding principles:
- Exclusive use of precious metals for cases
- In-house movement development and production
- Limited annual production (approximately 5,000 timepieces)
- Traditional German silver three-quarter plate construction
Technical Specifications
Case Architecture
Dimensions and Construction:
- Diameter: 38.5mm (+/- 0.1mm tolerance)
- Height: 9.3mm (+/- 0.05mm tolerance)
- Lug-to-lug distance: 45.7mm
- Lug width: 20mm
Case Material Properties:
- 18-karat white gold (750/1000 gold content)
- Specific gravity: 15.8 g/cm³
- Vickers hardness: approximately 215 HV
- Multi-piece construction with separately polished components
Crystal Specifications
Front Crystal:
- Synthetic sapphire (Mohs hardness: 9)
- Thickness: 1.2mm
- Double-sided anti-reflective coating
- UV protection treatment
Display Back:
- Sapphire crystal thickness: 0.9mm
- Secured by six screws in white gold threaded rings
- Special anti-reflective treatment for movement visibility
Movement Engineering
Caliber L086.1 Specifications
Core Architecture:
- Base diameter: 30.4mm
- Movement height: 3.7mm
- Component count: 209 individual parts
- Jewel count: 31 synthetic rubies
- Precision tolerance: within +/- 3 seconds per day
Oscillation System:
- Balance wheel diameter: 10.5mm
- Glucydur® alloy composition (Beryllium, Bronze, Iron)
- Four precision poising screws for fine adjustment
- Breguet overcoil balance spring
- Swan-neck fine adjustment mechanism
Power Management:
- Mainspring barrel diameter: 10.5mm
- Spring length: 500mm
- Power reserve: 72 hours (± 2 hours)
- Optimal winding efficiency: 28-32 rotations per day
Movement Decoration
Hand-Finishing Techniques:
- Three-quarter plate with Glashütte ribbing (21 strips at 0.4mm intervals)
- Circular graining (perlage) with 0.2mm overlap pattern
- Black-polished steel parts (achieved at 6000 grit)
- Hand-engraved balance cock (approximately 4-5 hours of work)
- Gold chatons secured by thermally blued screws (heated to 290°C)
Dial Construction
Components and Finishing
Base Material:
- Solid silver dial (925/1000 fineness)
- Thickness: 0.5mm
- Multi-layer galvanic coating
- UV-resistant surface treatment
Hour Markers:
- 18-karat white gold appliques
- Individual hand-polishing (5 stages)
- Secured by microscopic pins (0.2mm diameter)
- Length variations: 2.4mm to 3.1mm
Hands Manufacturing
Material and Construction:
- Rhodiumed gold (hour and minute hands)
- Hand-polished to mirror finish
- Faceted design with three distinct surfaces
- Counterbalanced for optimal timekeeping
Strap and Buckle Details
Strap Specifications
Construction:
- Hand-selected Mississippi alligator leather
- Square scale pattern
- Triple-folded construction
- Hand-stitched with linen thread
- Hypoallergenic lining
Buckle Engineering:
- 18-karat white gold prong buckle
- Security spring bars with 1.8mm diameter
- Five-step adjustability
- Polished and brushed finishing (7 stages)
Quality Control and Testing
Manufacturing Process
Quality Assurance Steps:
- Initial component inspection under 10x magnification
- First assembly and timing adjustment
- Complete disassembly and cleaning
- Final assembly with timing verification
- 500-hour testing program including:
- Temperature variation tests (-5°C to +40°C)
- Position testing in 6 orientations
- Power reserve verification
- Water resistance testing at 3 ATM
Certification and Documentation
Authentication Package
Each timepiece includes:
- Individual serial number engraved on case back
- Certificate of authenticity with movement specifications
- Timing certificate with 15-day test results
- Original presentation box in hand-finished wood
- Owner’s manual in multiple languages
Value and Investment Considerations
Market Position
Investment factors include:
- Annual production limited to approximately 150 pieces
- Historical value appreciation of 3-5% annually
- Strong secondary market demand
- Certified service history tracking
- Original documentation completeness impact on value
Service and Maintenance
Recommended Care
Maintenance requirements:
- Full service interval: 5 years or 40,000 hours of operation
- Annual water resistance check
- Movement lubrication with 5 different synthetic oils
- Case refinishing available only through manufacturer
- Strap replacement recommended every 12-18 months
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Watch Automatic 842.032 represents the pinnacle of German watchmaking, combining centuries of tradition with modern precision engineering. Each component is crafted to the highest standards, resulting in a timepiece that serves as both a precision instrument and a work of horological art. The extensive quality control process and limited production numbers ensure that each piece meets the exacting standards that have made A. Lange & Söhne one of the most respected names in luxury watchmaking.
