The hand-wound 1815 Moonphase 212.050 arrives in a signature “honey gold” color courtesy of a particularly hard-to-scratch 18-karat gold alloy. Developed by A. Lange & Sohne, the gorgeous alloy sports a Vickers hardness rating between 300 and 320HV (on average, that is twice as high as that of white gold, which is usually considered to be the hardest among “standard” gold alloys.)
The new member of the 1815 Collection features a beautifully executed moon-phase complication, which is not only pleasant to look at, but is also so accurate that it takes whole 1058 years for the calendar to miss a day from the lunar month.
Among the other models that were presented last week during the SIHH 2010 trade show by A. Lange & Sohne, there was also a small group of limited editions that stood out from the brand’s exposition with their intricately decorated movements, finely guilloched dials, and, of course, amber-colored gold cases that were not only extremely discreet with their somehow subdued, deliciously warm inner glow but also a lot harder to scratch compared to more common alloys.
Yes, this is still gold and it is still softer than even bronze, but it is still nice to know that the expensive timekeepers won’t collect fine scratches as readily as cases crafted from a lot softer rose gold.
Among the products that were offered in “honey gold” was the gorgeous Lange 1 Tourbillon with stop seconds, a unique Tourbograph Pour le Merite, and a more simple when it comes to the mechanical part A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Moonphase model, which is reviewed here.
While we plan to publish brief “initial impressions” reviews of all models listed above, let us start with the most affordable model powered by a hand-wound mechanism and featuring a moon-phase complication (I think, the more expensive members of the family require more meditation time to understand the feelings that they impress on yours truly.)
The 1815 Moonphase comes equipped with the gorgeous Lange L943.2 hand-wound caliber, which, as usual, is made in-house, precision-adjusted in five positions, and decorated by hand so thoroughly and tastefully, that it probably makes such established Swiss-based brands as, say, Breguet wanting to eat its own heart out.
The movement’s three-quarter plate is made of German silver with a sunburst pattern and its balance cock is made in the same amber-colored as the case and is also decorated by hand.
The 1815 Moonphase features a perfect dial layout where the moon-phase display balances the small seconds-hand counter, while the two are visually united with the engine-turned guilloche pattern. Large Arabic numerals and heat-blued hour and minute hands provide for a contrasting, highly-legible dial layout.
The reference 212.050 will be produced in a limited lot of only 265 pieces and will command a relatively low (at least, for such an exquisitely decorated piece) suggested price of $25,000.
See also: A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Referenzuhr
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: A. Lange & Sohne
A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Moonphase 212.050 specification
Price range: $25,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber Lange L943.2, 220 parts, 26 jewels, 21,600 vph, in-house, 3.9 mm high, 37.4 mm in diameter, Made in Germany
Winding: Hand-wound
Functions & Complications: Hours, minutes, small seconds, moon phase, stop seconds
Power reserve: 45 hours
Case: Honey-colored gold
Shape: Round
Transparent back: Yes, sapphire crystal
Size: 37.40 mm
Case height: 8.90 mm
Dial: Solid silver, guilloched
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Blued steel
Strap: Hand-stitched, red-brown crocodile strap, Lange prong buckle in solid gold
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflection coated
Water resistance: 30 meters