A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin

Born in 1815, Ferdinand Adolph Lange received a rigorous education at the hands of nurses and governesses. At 15 he became a student at the Saxon Technical school in Dresden. Next, he pursued training under Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes Sr, royal clockmaker to the King of Saxony. In 1846 he and his brother-in-law formed A. Lange & Söhne, today one of the best watchmaking marques in the world. Lange’s use of precision tools and instruments allowed the manufacture to attain a level of precision that was heretofore unknown. After his death in 1878, his sons Richard and Emil would carry on his legacy. However, the Soviet occupation of East Germany at the end of the Second World War saw an end to A. Lange & Söhne. Following Reunification in the 1990s, the manufacture made its triumphant return. At the helm of the company was another Lange, Ferdinand’s great-grandson Walter. The Lange 1815 Chronograph, Grand Lange 1 and the Datograph Double Split are among the gems in the brand’s catalog. But like many other established brands, there are certain, overlooked diamonds in the rough. One of these is the relatively simple — yet undoubtedly lovely — Saxonia Thin. Introduced in 2011, it combines svelte case architecture with with a pared-back, two-hand design that beautifully complements more formal attire. This particular Saxonia Thin, a Reference 211.026, dates to the 2010s. Measuring 40mm in white gold, it's on the larger size for a dress watch, but still wears like a dream due to its shallow case depth and downturned lugs. A brushed case band combines with polishing to offer a dynamic look, while the watch's white dial with applied white gold indices, thin 'alpha' handset, and elegant A. Lange & Söhne wordmark complete the picture of a supremely classic design. Powered by the wonderfully finished Calibre L093.1 hand-wound movement with Glashütte striping across its three-quarter plate and a power reserve of 72 hours, this tremendous piece is paired to a signed black alligator leather strap with a signed white gold pin buckle. Accompanied by its factory goodies — including its guarantee dated to August of 2012 — it's a dress watch dream come true.