A. Lange & Söhne Saxon Annual Calender MoonPhase, ref. 330.026, 2003 — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Grey & Patina · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Grey & Patina · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

A. Lange & Söhne Saxon Annual Calender MoonPhase, ref. 330.026, 2003

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: A. Lange & Söhne (maker)
Date: 2003
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Germany
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: Gold
Dealer: Grey & Patina (dealer), Los Angeles
Stock no.: 1977577
Credit line: Dealer listing, Grey & Patina (1977577)
Catalogue title (original): 2003 A. Lange & Söhne Saxon Annual Calender 330.026 MoonPhase W/Box & Paper (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Grey & Patina (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number 1977577), this is a wristwatch by A. Lange & Söhne, made in Germany, dated 2003. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: Gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Grey & Patina

There is something particularly charming about Lange’s approach to complicated watchmaking. The Saxonia Annual Calendar ref. 330.026 is a wonderful example of the manufacture’s ability to balance mechanical complexity with an almost effortless sense of restraint. Housed in a beautifully proportioned 38.5mm white gold case, the watch features a solid silver dial with contrasting blued steel hands, Lange’s signature oversized date at 12, and a wonderfully symmetrical arrangement of calendar indications. The moonphase at 6 o’clock adds just the right amount of character without disturbing the overall simplicity of the design. Inside is the automatic caliber L085.1, featuring Lange’s signature finishing throughout, a 21k gold central rotor with platinum centrifugal mass, and the ingenious annual calendar mechanism requiring correction just once a year, at the transition from February to March. Turning the watch over reveals the sort of craftsmanship that makes owning a Lange such a special experience. At just 9.8mm thick, the 330.026 wears remarkably well for a watch of this complexity. An exceptionally considered piece of modern German watchmaking, and one that feels equally at home in a serious collection as it does on the wrist every day. This example was serviced by Lange in 2019. Dial: Silver Case: Excellent condition white gold case Bracelet: Original brown A. Lange & Söhne strap

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Calendar, moon-phase and perpetual calendar watches

Calendar complications range from a simple date to the perpetual calendar, which automatically allows for months of different lengths and leap years until 2100. Pocket watches with perpetual calendars were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Patek Philippe made the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and series production followed in 1941. The annual calendar (Patek Philippe, 1996) needs correction only once a year.

Moon-phase displays use a disc with two moons and 59 teeth advanced daily, approximating the 29.5-day lunation; more precise trains reduce the error to one day in over a century.

What to look for

Apertures or subsidiary dials for day, date, month and leap year.
Moon disc under a 'bosom' shaped aperture.
Recessed correctors on the case band for setting the calendar.

Dating clues

Triple-date wristwatches: popular c. 1940–1955.
Perpetual calendar wristwatches: from 1925 (unique) and 1941 (series).

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component
Moon-phase indication — Complication
Annual calendar — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

Explore further

Sources & image rights

Record source: Grey & Patina (dealer), Los Angeles (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Grey & Patina — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"A. Lange & Söhne Saxon Annual Calender MoonPhase, ref. 330.026, 2003." Grey & Patina (dealer), Los Angeles, 1977577. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/a-lange-sohne-saxon-annual-calender-moonphase-ref-330-026-2003-aaa0d6.