Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: Circa 1994 Reference No: 102.002 Movement No: Manual, cal. L901.0, 31 jewels Case No: 110’700 Model Name: Saxonia Outsize Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L901.0, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Plated gold pin buckle Dimensions: 34mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
The Saxonia line was named after the German state Saxony, where Ferdinand A. Lange established his firm. Of the four debut released watches at Dresden Palace in 1994, the Saxonia line closely resembled traditional gentleman’s dress watch with simplicity and elegance. The case design was pure and minimal featuring an “Outsized Date” aperture on the dial. The original references 102.002 remained in production until 1997 when the reference 105.021 was released with the new caliber L941.1, but continuing with the small 33.9mm diameter case. Produced mainly in yellow gold, the brand also produced a rare platinum version with rhodium dial, these early first series of Saxonia Outsize Date features the early MIG printing at 6 o’clock as well as a solid caseback evident in early references.
The present watch remains in excellent condition. The case is sharp and unpolished and over the years the gold has tarnished giving the watch a warm yellow hue, making this an absolute classic dress watch from the early days of the brand.
Originally founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Dresden, Germany, the firm established an entire watchmaking culture and industry in Glashütte. The brand quickly became Germany's finest watchmaker, first creating dependable, easy-to-repair watches before going on to produce some of the world's finest complicated pocket watches, including Grande Sonnerie watches, tourbillon watches and Grande Complications.
On the final day of World War II, their factories were destroyed by Russian bombers, and in 1948 the brand was confiscated by the Soviet Union. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Ferdinand's great grandson Walter Lange re-established the brand with the objective to once again produce top-quality luxury watches. Now part of the Richemont Group, its original vintage and modern creations are highly coveted by collectors. Key models from the modern era include the Lange 1, Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon and the Zeitwerk.
