[Image: Stunning luminosity that echoes the northern lights Grand Lange 1 “Lumen,” Zeitwerk “Luminous” and Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “Lumen.”]
Auroras rank among our planets most awe-inspiring natural phenomena: fluorescent light cloaks nocturnal darkness with mysterious green veils. With three of A. Lange & Söhne’s most spectacular models, they embark on a journey to Iceland for a first-hand encounter with one of Mother Nature’s most fascinating extravaganzas, the northern lights to shoot their latest campaign. It’s the perfect location with breathtaking impressions between light and darkness in primeval natural surroundings.
For A. Lange & Söhne, the northern lights in the Arctic sky above Iceland is the ideal setting to showcase three luminous models. It highlights the spectacular contrast between light and darkness. The trio of fascinating light virtuosos that accompanied the Nordic expedition earlier this year included the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “Lumen,” which was first presented in January 2016. In addition to the Zeitwerk “Luminous” and the Grand Lange 1 “Lumen,” which is the third A. Lange & Söhne model with a semi-transparent sapphire-crystal dial. Its light-permeable coating allows the numerals to absorb a sufficient amount of light energy to uniformly glow in the dark for several hours.
The Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “Lumen” – The dial is made of blackened silver with generous apertures and a semi-transparent black-tinted sapphire-crystal glass wafer. The special coating applied to the glass blocks most of the visible light but not the UV spectra that “charge” the luminous pigments on the outsize date mechanism and cause them to glow in the dark. The tens cross is coated with a white luminous compound and printed with black numerals. Conversely, the units disc, also featuring black numerals, is made of transparent glass and rotates in front of the luminous background of the date aperture.
[Image: Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “Lumen,” Zeitwerk “Luminous” and Grand Lange 1 “Lumen.”]
The lunar disc is made of glass. First, the glass surface is coated with a patented process. Then, 1164 stars and the moon are cut out with a laser beam. The luminous compound behind the lunar disc makes the moon and the stars shine. The large moon-phase display occupies a prominent position on the main dial. Once properly set, it only needs to be corrected by one day every 122.6 years.
Watches with luminous displays need a light source that charge the luminous compound applied to the display elements and allows them to glow. Thanks to the semi-transparent black-tinted dial and an ingenious mechanism, the displays of the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase “Lumen” and the other A. Lange & Söhne “Lumen” models can be permanently charged with light energy.
Watch the video below:
