A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Lumen Moon Phase

Founders Select In the realm of holological badassery, no one combines perfection in finishing, the notable heft of precious metal, and Teutonic Avant-Garde design quite like A. Lange & Söhne. This execution offers a glimpse into the inner workings of a modern-day icon through a smoked dial with a strikingly finished - and wonderfully whimsical - moonphase display. Of Lange's limited production models, the Lumen series is perhaps the most highly sought-after by enthusiastic collectors, and is the envy of the competition...just ask those good folks in Geneva! -James Lamdin What you’re looking at is an example of the most important wristwatches of the last 30 years. The Lange 1 is without question the manufacturer’s flagship model, and the big date function is its hallmark. Though found in watches like the Zeitwerk or the Langematik Sax-O-Mat, it’s in the Lange 1 that it’s shown to the greatest effect. Alongside other details such as asymmetrical sub-dials depicting the hours and sub-seconds, and the A. Lange & Söhne signature with its famous ampersand, it shows a clarity of vision that is wholly Lange. And while the Lange 1 has seen many versions, from a tourbillon to the Timezone, it’s the original that has become the symbol of the maison — and perhaps even the symbol of modern watchmaking itself. This particular watch, a Grand Lange 1, is a slightly upsized version of the classic. Dating to the 2010s, it features a 41mm platinum case, a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, a polished bezel, a smoked sapphire dial with matching 'alpha' handsets, moon phase indicator, and a sapphire exhibition case back. It’s fitted to a black alligator leather strap with a signed platinum pin buckle. This piece is part of the coveted Lumen collection of limited edition pieces with sapphire dials and luminous displays. These are tough to find and have there own cult-like following. Powering this masterpiece is the Lange & Söhne Caliber L095.4, a manual-winding movement that’s stunning to behold — and which can thankfully easily be viewed via the exhibition case back. In excellent condition, this piece is accompanied by all its goodies. There are complicated watches, and then there are works of art. This is the latter.