The Saxon Manufacture expands its most refined family with two limited editions of the 1815 UP/DOWN. Housed in compact 18K white gold and pink gold cases, these timepieces combine a blue solid-silver dial with contrasting argenté subdials for the first time in the collection, paying direct homage to historic pocket watches by A. Lange & Söhne.
Historical Inspiration in Compact Proportions
Named after the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the 1815 UP/DOWN revives the core aesthetic codes of 19th-century precision horology: a railway minute track, highly legible Arabic numerals, and a recessed central dial segment. The case architecture retains standout dimensions of 37.5 mm in diameter and just 8.7 mm in thickness, ensuring flawless wrist ergonomics.
The UP/DOWN designation (or AUF/AB in German) denotes the integrated power reserve complication. The hand on the subdial at 8 o’clock tracks running time, sweeping from “AUF” (fully wound, with 72 hours of autonomy) down to “AB” (power depleted). True to Lange’s technical commitment, this mechanism is not added as a separate module, but is built directly into the base movement using a space-saving planetary gear system.
🇩🇪 Historical Note
The Origin of the AUF/AB Power Reserve
A. Lange & Söhne was granted a patent for the AUF/AB power reserve indicator in 1879. Originally developed for marine chronometers and high-precision pocket watches, it allowed navigators to know precisely when to wind the mainspring before power delivery dropped, maintaining optimal rate accuracy.
Integrated seamlessly into the wheel train via a planetary gear design, this feature remains a signature hallmark of Saxon fine watchmaking.
In-House Calibre L051.2: Hand Finishing and Saxon Craftsmanship
Visible through the sapphire caseback is the manual-winding In-house Calibre L051.2. Comprising 245 components, this movement showcases traditional Glashütte finishing techniques: an untreated German silver three-quarter plate, solar-brushed winding wheels, and seven gold chatons secured by blued steel screws.
Operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), the regulating organ features a shock-resistant screw balance paired with an in-house balance spring. The hand-engraved floral motif on the balance cock adds a final touch of exclusivity, ensuring that no two movements are identical.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Outstanding case proportions (37.5 mm × 8.7 mm) tailored for refined dress watch wearability.
- Integrated planetary gear mechanism for the AUF/AB power reserve display without added modular height.
- Calibre L051.2 featuring an untreated German silver plate, screwed gold chatons, and a hand-engraved balance cock.
Cons:
- Strictly limited edition of 300 pieces per precious metal variant worldwide.
- Requires regular manual winding to maintain its 72-hour power reserve.
Technical Specifications: A. Lange & Söhne 1815 UP/DOWN
| Specification | 1815 UP/DOWN White Gold | 1815 UP/DOWN Pink Gold |
|---|---|---|
| References | 244.028 | 244.037 |
| Case / Dimensions | 18K White Gold: 37.5 mm (diameter) × 8.7 mm (thickness) | 18K Pink Gold: 37.5 mm (diameter) × 8.7 mm (thickness) |
| Crystal / Caseback | Sapphire crystal (9 Mohs hardness); transparent sapphire caseback | Sapphire crystal (9 Mohs hardness); transparent sapphire caseback |
| Dial | Blue 925 solid silver with contrasting argenté subdials | Blue 925 solid silver with contrasting argenté subdials |
| Hands | 18K white gold hour/minute hands; blued steel subdial hands | 18K pink gold hour/minute hands; blued steel subdial hands |
| Movement | In-house manual-winding Calibre L051.2 (245 components) | In-house manual-winding Calibre L051.2 (245 components) |
| Frequency / Power Reserve | 21,600 vph (3 Hz) / 72 hours power reserve | 21,600 vph (3 Hz) / 72 hours power reserve |
| Calibre Dimensions | 30.6 mm (diameter) × 4.6 mm (thickness) | 30.6 mm (diameter) × 4.6 mm (thickness) |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, small seconds with stop-seconds, AUF/AB power reserve | Hours, minutes, small seconds with stop-seconds, AUF/AB power reserve |
| Decorations | German silver 3/4 plate, 7 gold chatons, hand-engraved balance cock | German silver 3/4 plate, 7 gold chatons, hand-engraved balance cock |
| Strap / Buckle | Blue alligator leather; 18K white gold pin buckle | Reddish-brown alligator leather; 18K pink gold pin buckle |
| Limited Edition | 300 numbered pieces | 300 numbered pieces |
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