A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Dual Time, c. 2015

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Where does one turn when the typical, minimalist dress watch fails to inspire? To A. Lange & Söhne, of course. The Glashütte-based manufacture is world-famous for its absurdly beautiful, complicated timepieces, but their simpler watches are similarly the pinnacle of elegance. This Saxonia Moon Phase, with its large case, distinctly Saxon, oversized date complication, and moon phase, sits somewhere in the middle. Executed in a modern 40mm pink gold case and dating to circa 2015, this example features satin silver dial with applied pink gold indices and a beautiful moon phase/subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock, plus a matching pink gold alpha handset. Of course, what makes this particular model stand out is the oversized “digital” date complication below the 12 o’clock marker, controlled via a pusher at 10 o’clock — a holdover from the simply unbeatable Lange 1, which debuted in 1994. With its sapphire crystal and display case back, 18k pink gold signed crown and polished matching bezel, and matching brown alligator leather strap with signed 18k pink gold pin buckle, this Saxonia is the type of watch that — at least aesthetically — pairs well with everything from a t-shirt to a tuxedo. (Though, to be fair, we might opt for something less precious while wearing a t-shirt!) The beautifully finished, in-house Caliber L086.5 ain’t bad to look at, either. There’s nothing wrong with a classic dress watch from a member of the “Holy Trinity.” But for a modern stunner in beautiful, nearly new-old-stock condition, this Saxonia is simply unbeatable.