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MOON PHASE WATCHES

Moon-phase displays

Most of our moon-phase displays reproduce the moon’s orbit with a precision of 99.998 per cent, so if the watch runs uninterrupted, it needs to be adjusted only after 122.6 years – and even then only by one day.

Accurate to 99.998 percent

Since the dawn of humanity, people have been looking to a very special celestial body when it comes to measuring periods of time: the moon. Its regular rhythm can be easily tracked, and for thousands of years, it has been the foundation on which our calendar is subdivided into weeks and months. A. Lange & Söhne’s watchmakers are also fascinated by the earth’s satellite. To such a degree, in fact, that they leverage all the potentials of mechanical precision to emulate its orbit with extreme accuracy and reproduce its radiance as brilliantly as possible.

Precision in detail

Most of our moon-phase displays are 99.998 per cent accurate, so if the watch runs without interruption, a correction by one day is only needed when 122.6 years have elapsed. This is achieved with an ingenious mechanical transmission that steps down the rotation of the hour wheel. But Lange’s product developers have demonstrated that precision can be further enhanced: The mechanism of the patented orbital moon-phase display of the RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR “Terraluna” is calculated with such accuracy that if the watch runs without interruption, it will take 1058 years before a correction by one day is required.

The moon-phase displays

Bright brilliance

The rich blue hue is another special facet of Lange lunar discs. The unique chromatic effect is achieved by superposing light waves. To produce this so-called interference phenomenon, Lange has partnered with scientists to develop a patented coating process for the solid-gold discs. The vibrant blue tint forms a remarkably high-contrast backdrop for the stars. In the RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR “Terraluna”, more than two thousand stars in five different sizes emphasise the fascination of the night sky.

A moon for days and nights

Presented in 2016, the newly conceived moon-phase display of the LANGE 1 MOON PHASE with a day/night indicator always presents the moon against a realistic depiction of the sky. This is achieved with a two-part design. A celestial disc that rotates clockwise once every 24 hours forms the backdrop for the lunar orbit. On the celestial disc, the different times of day are represented by varying blue hues based on interference effects. During the day, the sky is bright blue without stars, but gradually becomes darker as the afternoon progresses. At night, the sky is dark blue and studded with a multitude of stars.

The moon phase display with day/night indication

The orbital moon-phase display

In the RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR “Terraluna”, the depiction of the moon phases also by far transcends the classic notion of precision by incorporating the surroundings of the earth’s companion. The patented orbital moon-phase display shows the current moon phase as well as the positions of the moon and sun as an observer in the northern hemisphere would see them. The display is composed of the celestial disc, the lunar disc which lies beneath it, and the earth disc in the centre. The position of the sun is defined by the balance. The moon can be seen through a round aperture in the celestial disc. It orbits the earth once in the anti-clockwise direction in slightly more than 29.5 days. A gear train assures that the moon phase is always accurately rendered.

In the centre of the celestial disc, the earth disc rotates through 360 degrees once a day. It is daytime on the half that faces the sun (the balance) and nighttime on the other. The circumferential 24-hour scale provides a time-of-day reference for regions in the northern hemisphere.

Complications

Grand complications
Grand complications
Grand complications such as the tourbillon, perpetual calendar, rattrapante chronograph or the minute repeater belong to the top tier of precision watchmaking. Some A. Lange & Söhne watches combine several great complications and sophisticated technical solutions in one single watch.
Outsize date
Outsize date
The A. Lange & Söhne outsize date enables a date display with digits around three times as large as those in watches of comparable dimensions.
Chronograph
Chronograph
Chronographs and their manufacture movements have been flagship products of A. Lange & Söhne since 1999.
Calendar function
Calendar function
Lange models incorporate either annual calendars or perpetual calendars.
Moon-phase display
Moon-phase display
Most of our moon-phase displays reproduce the moon’s orbit with a precision of 99.998 per cent.
Power-reserve indicator
Power-reserve indicator
The UP/DOWN display reminds the owner to rewind the watch before it stops running.
Tourbillon watches
Tourbillon watches
The tourbillon improves the rate accuracy of a mechanical timepiece by overcoming the influence of gravity on the running of a watch.
Zero-reset mechanism
Zero-reset mechanism
With the ZERO-RESET mechanism, the movement stops and the seconds hand jumps to zero when the crown is pulled.
The fusée-and-chain transmission
The fusée-and-chain transmission
The fusée-and-chain transmission is one of the most effective complications when it comes to increasing the rate accuracy of a mechanical watch.
Constant-force escapement
Constant-force escapement
The purpose of a constant-force escapement in a mechanical watch is to provide the escapement with a consistent flow of power, regardless of whether the watch is fully wound or nearly unwound.
Striking mechanisms
Striking mechanisms
Watches with a minute repeater or other striking mechanisms make time audible. Given their horological intricacy, these models are among the most elaborate and rare timepieces in the realm of precision watchmaking.

Explore further

Finishing and engraving
Finishing and engraving
The art of finishing movements ranks high in our manufacture. No matter whether large or infinitesimal, whether clearly visible or hidden, almost every part is decorated by hand. Different techniques are used: every component is assigned its own individual type of finish, the sum total a harmonious overall appearance.
Three-quarter plate
Three-quarter plate
The three-quarter plate that dates back to Ferdinand Adolph Lange ranks among the typical hallmarks of A. Lange & Söhne timepieces.
Twofold assembly
Twofold assembly
Be it a simple model or a highly sophisticated timepiece – at A. Lange & Söhne, every movement is assembled twice.

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Whether you are in search of a specific model, have questions out of interest or need a service request for your timepiece – we are delighted to help you. We are at your service by phone, email or in one of our boutiques.

The A. Lange & Söhne salon in Zurich