Released in 2004, A. Lange & Söhne’s Langematik Perpetual was at the heart of the brands rebirth following its demise during World War II. The Saxony based manufacture sought to recapture its reputation for innovative technology and precision timekeeping and with their initial release of four innovative wristwatches in 1994, including the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite, the first wristwatch to feature a chain and fusée, the brand has continued to release wristwatches that are classic and decidedly German in aesthetic. The Langematik brought the perpetual calendar moon phase pocket watches of their past to the forefront but with a 21st century movement. The revolutionary timepiece featured a “zero-reset” mechanism for more accurate timing, as the crown was pulled out the constant seconds hand immediately reset to zero. Additionally, it featured a calendar correction system, that adjusted the day, date and moon phase through a case corrector to easily move the three forward together in time.

This classic horological complication maintains traditional watchmaking with a timepiece that adjusts every four years to compensate for the leap year. The dial features A. Lange & Söhne patented oversized date windows, along with subsidiary dials for month, night and day 24-hour indication and day. It also features the SAX-O-MAT designation, found on their automatic watches, standing for SAX, Saxony the German state, 0 (zero) for “zero-reset” and MAT for automatic movement. The present example is very well preserved and a shining example of the skill and unrivalled craftsmanship that Walter Lange brought back to the firm. The perpetual calendar wristwatch is one of the most fascinating of all the complications in horology, and the Langematik is an exemplary timepiece. It is a testament to the fine art of German watchmaking.