New A. Lange & Söhne SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR — Both Versions in 4K

The new A. Lange & Söhne SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR brings an annual calendar, an outsize date, a highly precise moon-phase display and 491 movement parts into an elegant case measuring only 36 millimetres. In this detailed 21-minute WatchAdvisor video, Alexander presents both new 2026 versions side by side in 4K: Reference 331.026 E in 750 white gold with an argenté-coloured dial crafted from 925 silver. Reference 331.033 E in 750 pink gold with a cool grey dial, also crafted from 925 silver. Two distinct personalities. One new automatic manufacture calibre. At first glance, the SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR is defined by restraint. Lange’s outsize date sits at 12 o’clock, the day of the week is displayed at 9, the month at 3, and the subsidiary seconds share the lower dial with the moon-phase display. Nothing appears crowded. Nothing is fighting for attention. Yet beneath this composed dial lies a movement comprising 491 individual parts. This is not merely the previous SAXONIA ANNUAL CALENDAR made smaller. The earlier generation measured 38.5 millimetres and used the automatic Calibre L085.1, with 476 components, 43 jewels and a 46-hour power reserve. The new model reduces the diameter to 36.0 millimetres while retaining the same 9.8-millimetre height — but increases the component count to 491, the jewels to 56 and the power reserve to 60 hours. Smaller certainly does not mean simpler. The new self-winding Lange manufacture Calibre L207.1 measures 30.4 millimetres in diameter and only 5.7 millimetres in height. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, or 3 hertz, and features a shock-resistant screw balance and a balance spring manufactured in-house. Its lever escapement, lateral setscrew and whiplash spring form part of Lange’s traditional precision-adjustment system. Automatic winding is provided by a unidirectional central rotor fitted with a centrifugal mass in 950 platinum. Unlike the previous L085.1 with its three-quarter rotor and ZERO-RESET mechanism, the new calibre uses a central rotor and conventional stop seconds. The annual calendar mechanically distinguishes between months containing 30 and 31 days. Provided the watch keeps running, all indications advance correctly throughout the year. A manual correction is required only once annually: from the end of February to 1 March. A pusher at 10 o’clock advances all calendar indications collectively. The date, day of the week, month and moon phase can also be corrected individually. The moon-phase display deviates from the actual lunar cycle by only one day after 122.6 years. Its lunar disc is crafted from 750 gold, treated with a deep-blue coating and decorated with 428 stars to create a miniature Milky Way. Look more closely and the apparent simplicity reveals further layers. The three subsidiary dials are slightly bevelled inwards. Their circumferential rings feature fine azurage, while the inner sections use a more pronounced form of the same technique to create depth and changing reflections. The subsidiary-seconds dial is treated differently: its inner area retains the finer azurage to balance the visual richness of the moon phase. Even the applied baton markers have been redesigned. Their outer ends resemble the tip of a pyramid, producing controlled reflections as the watch moves. The lancet-shaped hands and appliques are crafted from 750 gold and matched to the respective case. Turn either watch over and the dial’s quiet restraint gives way to unmistakable Saxon fine watchmaking. The L207.1 incorporates 56 jewels and three screwed gold chatons. Its traditional details include plates and bridges decorated with Glashütte ribbing, a hand-engraved balance cock, blued screws and carefully polished surfaces. The calibre is decorated and assembled by hand, dismantled and then assembled for a second time. It is precision-adjusted in five positions. The sapphire crystal and transparent caseback have a Mohs hardness of 9, and the case is water-resistant to 3 bar. Reference 331.026 E combines white gold and argenté with a hand-stitched reddish-brown alligator strap featuring a graduated colour effect and a white-gold prong buckle. Reference 331.033 E pairs pink gold and grey with a hand-stitched reddish-brown alligator strap and a matching pink-gold prong buckle. A. Lange & Söhne currently lists both prices upon request. We mention them of course in the video. Which version would you choose: understated white gold and argenté, or warmer pink gold with contrasting grey? And is 36 millimetres the ideal size for a complicated dress watch of this kind? Tell us in the comments. Select 4K, take your time and enjoy both watches in detail. Subscribe to WatchAdvisor for independent watch journalism and exceptional mechanical watches presented in 4K. Featured manufacture: @alangesoehne #ALangeSoehne #SaxoniaAnnualCalendar #WatchAdvisor #wherethewatchesarethestars