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Lot #5383

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna 180.026FE 18K WG

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Introduction

Since its revival in 1994, A. Lange & Söhne has established a reputation for approaching traditional complications with remarkable technical ambition and mechanical ingenuity. The Richard Lange collection, named in honour of Ferdinand Adolph Lange's eldest son, draws inspiration from the precision instruments and scientific timepieces that helped establish Saxony as a centre of German watchmaking. Introduced in 2014, the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna represents one of the manufacture's most ambitious creations, combining a highly sophisticated perpetual calendar with a constant-force mechanism, an extraordinary 14-day power reserve and a patented orbital moon-phase display. Rather than simply reproducing the familiar appearance of the moon in a conventional aperture, the Terraluna takes a fundamentally different approach, illustrating the relationship between the Earth, moon and sun through an intricate mechanical display.

The ref. 180.026FE is housed in an imposing 45.5mm case crafted from 18K white gold, with a thickness of 16.5mm reflecting the considerable complexity within. Its argenté dial features an unusual regulator-style arrangement, with a large central minute display accompanied by separate indications for the hours and seconds. The perpetual calendar incorporates an outsize date, day of the week, month and leap-year indication, while a discreet power-reserve display tracks the movement's remarkable 336-hour autonomy. Turning the watch over reveals its most extraordinary feature: an orbital moon-phase display integrated into the manually wound calibre L096.1. Comprising 787 individual components, the movement reproduces the moon's position and phases as observed from the northern hemisphere, with a theoretical accuracy requiring correction by just one day every 1,058 years. The result is an exceptional demonstration of A. Lange & Söhne's ability to combine astronomical complications with the traditions of precision German watchmaking.

Loupe This Scorecard

Grade

M 9.5

Status

Vetted & Approved

Included

Box, warranty, booklet, document holder, loupe, setting tool and cloth

Est. value range

$100,000 – $150,000

The Details

Brand

A. Lange & Sohne

Dimensions

45.5mm x 16.5mm

Model

Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna

Movement

Manual-winding A. Lange & Söhne calibre L096.1

Reference

180.026FE

Bracelet

Leather strap

Year

2018

Condition

Like new

Material

18K White Gold

Included

Box, warranty, booklet, document holder, loupe, setting tool and cloth

Dial Color

Silver

THE DIAL

THE DIAL

The argenté dial features an unusual regulator-style arrangement, with a large central minute hand and separate subsidiary displays for the hours and running seconds. The perpetual calendar indications are integrated into the composition, including an outsize date, day of the week, month and leap-year indicator. A power-reserve display completes the exceptionally detailed yet carefully organised layout.

THE ORBITAL MOON-PHASE DISPLAY

THE ORBITAL MOON-PHASE DISPLAY

Visible through the sapphire exhibition case back, the Terraluna's patented orbital moon-phase mechanism depicts the moon's position relative to the Earth and sun, as observed from the northern hemisphere. Unlike a conventional moon-phase aperture, the display illustrates the moon's orbital movement while simultaneously indicating its changing phases. Its exceptional precision means that a correction of just one day is theoretically required every 1,058 years.

TIMING MACHINE READOUT

TIMING MACHINE READOUT

This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.

Condition

Watch is in overall like-new condition. The 18K white gold case shows only light signs of wear. The dial and hands are like new. The 18K white gold deployant clasp shows light surface scuffs. Comes with box, warranty, booklet, document holder, loupe, setting tool and cloth.

Please Note: Due to CITES considerations, if the watch is to be shipped outside of the USA, the exotic skin strap will have to be removed.

Our Perspective

The Terraluna is an extraordinary expression of A. Lange & Söhne's technical ambition, combining a perpetual calendar, constant-force mechanism and 14-day power reserve with a remarkable astronomical display. Its orbital moon-phase complication makes it one of the manufacture's most distinctive modern creations.

Eric Ku

Co-founder