The A Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin is one of the purest expressions of fine watchmaking, its elegant, pared-back design contrasted by the highly complicated mechanism within. This year the German watchmaker has revisited this popular design with an intriguing new take that adds an extra dimension to the design, limited to just 50 pieces.

This is achieved through the show-stopping dial. It is coated with a blue gold flux that sees thousands of miniscule copper oxide crystals embedded that create a captivating sparkle, evoking the clearest of starry night skies. The technique, which has its roots in 17th-century Venice, is incredibly intricate. First molten glass is infused with copper particles, forming tiny crystals when heated over a waning flame. Then comes the difficult challenge of delicately applying this to the solid-silver dial to create a seamless finish.

This same level of care is demonstrated in the movement, the in-house manual-wind L093.1, which measures in at an incredibly small height of 2.9mm, the thinnest in the manufacture’s collections. Despite its svelte proportions, it brings the highest standards of precision and reliability, along with a sizable power reserve of 72 hours. The clear sapphire-crystal case back reveals just how much detail and thought has gone into every element right down to the finishing, which includes the trademark Glashütte stripes across the three-quarter plate. In a nod to A Lange & Söhne’s rich heritage, the escape wheel has been visibly integrated into the plate, echoing the construction of historic pocket watches.

The calibre lends the watch its pleasingly slim silhouette, with the slight camber of the strap ensuring a comfortable fit. The deep blue dial is complemented by the pink-gold case and matching hands and hour markers, with a dark-blue leather strap providing a sophisticated finishing touch.

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