Lange 1815 Moonphase 165 Years – Homage to F. A. Lange Collection/en

Lange 1815 Moonphase
165 Years – Homage to F. A. Lange Collection

1815 MOONPHASE from the anniversary collection 165 Years – Homage to F. A. Lange
Reference 212.050

The 1815 MOONPHASE epitomises Lange’s unending quest for the ultimate in precision. No effort was spared to calculate an extremely accurate moon-phase train for this watch. Thanks to a suite of wheels with special transmission ratios, its error per lunar month is a nearly infinitesimal 6.61 seconds. It takes 1,058 years for this error to add up to a deviation of one day relative to the actual lunar cycle. Had such a timepiece existed in the year 952 – during the lifetime of Otto I the Great – and had it run without interruption since then, its moon-phase display would have to be corrected for the first time this year.

Among collectors, the 1999 limited edition pieces of the 1815 MOONPHASE in pink gold and platinum with a black dial rank among the most sought-after Lange timepieces. Their hallmark is an artistic rendering of the “Big Dipper”, probably the best-known constellation, on the dial. At watch auctions, well-maintained exemplars of this coveted treasure sometimes fetch more than three times the original price. The value of the 1815 MOONPHASE “Homage to F. A. Lange” could follow a similar trend: its edition is limited to 265 watches world-wide.

Reference: 212.050 Movement: Lange manufacture calibre L943.2, manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards and largely decorated and assembled by hand precision-adjusted in five positions three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver, with sunburst finish balance cock in honey-coloured gold, engraved by hand Diameter: 27.5 millimetres; height: 3.9 millimetres No. of movement parts: 220 No. of jewels: 26 Escapement: Lever escapement Oscillation system: Shock-resistant glucydur screw balance, superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house, frequency 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, whiplash-spring beat adjustment system Power reserve: 45 hours when fully wound Functions: Time indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds with stop seconds Moon-phase display Operating elements: Crown for winding the watch and setting the time push piece for the moon at 10 o’clock Case: Diameter: 37.4 millimetres; height: 8.9 millimetres Honey-coloured gold Glass and caseback: Antireflection-coated sapphire crystal Dial: Solid gold, argenté, guilloched; lunar disc in solid honey-coloured gold Hands: Blued steel Strap: Hand-stitched, red-brown crocodile strap with Lange prong buckle in solid honey-coloured gold Edition: 265 watches