Hello, today I’d like to introduce you to a brand that stands apart in the world of independent watchmaking. I’m talking about the eponymous brand Andreas Strehler. Having previously discussed its founder in a review of the Strehler Sirna, I’d like to remind you of the genius behind these creations.
Andreas Strehler, a member of the AHCI and a recipient of the Gaïa Prize, has been an independent watchmaker for over 25 years. He is based in Sirnach, in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. He founded his own brand in 1995 alongside UhrTeil AG, a company that produces components, movements, and inventions for the entire industry. Andreas, calm and unassuming by nature, consistently surprises with his ingenious ideas—not just concepts but fully realized creations. He is behind some of the most magnificent and technically accomplished watches, such as the Harry Winston Opus 7, the Maître de Temps Chapter 3 Reveal, and the Moser Perpetual 1.
One of his favorite topics is the precision of moon phases, ranging from hundreds to thousands of years with a deviation of one day. Andreas Strehler sought to surpass these “imprecise” indications and created the Sauterelle à Lune Perpétuelle 2M, a Guinness World Record holder, which deviates by only one day in 2,060,757 years (assuming someone keeps the mainspring barrel wound for over two million years).
Despite their precision, moon phase indicators cannot be read and set accurately. Most watches lack a scale next to the moon phase, forcing the wearer to guess the exact phase or age of the moon. Thus, accurate setting of the moon phase is only possible at new moon and full moon. Another issue is the readability of the moon phase itself. Without a scale, the indication is more of a suggestion rather than precise, unlike reading the time. This is where the Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte excels.
In this new model, he addresses the challenge of easily and accurately setting a moon phase indication and the precision of the display itself. This feat is achieved through a conventional moon phase display and a patented Vernier scale located at 6 o’clock on the dial side of the watch. The Vernier scale uses a red arrow to indicate the moon’s age in days and two red arrows marking the new and full moon. For those unfamiliar, a Vernier scale allows reading increments between two marks on a scale. Now, let’s dive into the details of this watch.
What are the features of the Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte?
Case
The Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte features a meticulously crafted 18-carat red gold case. Its oval shape includes a superb winding crown at 3 o’clock and long, sleek lugs.
Dial
The Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte does not have a traditional dial, allowing for a hand-skeletonized movement to take center stage. The dial is almost entirely open-worked, with blued steel hands filled with luminescence indicating off-center hours and minutes. The seconds are shown by the pinwheel of the beautiful remontoir d’égalité, and the hand jumps like deadbeat seconds. Below, the dark blue moon is cut out to expose the balance wheel and escapement. The finest details of the moon’s passage are displayed on an unusual subdial near the bottom.
The dial also features a conventional moon phase display and an additional moon age indicator with a Vernier scale at six o’clock. On this highly precise Vernier scale, a red arrow indicates the moon’s age in days. Two red marks on the scale indicate the new moon and full moon.
A Vernier scale on the inner ring enhances the precision of the indication to three hours.
Using the Vernier lunar scale is simple:
1. The red arrow indicates the moon’s age in days.
2. If the arrow points to a number in the blue sector of the outer scale, the exact value is also read in the blue sector of the inner Vernier ring. The moon’s age to within three hours is indicated where the next mark on the Vernier ring aligns with a mark on the outer ring.
3. These hours are added to the days indicated on the outer ring. Similarly, if the red arrow points to a day in the yellow sector of the outer scale, the hours are also read in the yellow sector of the Vernier scale.
Movement
The Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte houses a movement beating at 21,600 A/h (3Hz), entirely designed by Andreas Strehler. It is within the subtleties of this mechanical masterpiece that his talents shine the most. Apart from the rubies, each of the 184 individual components, including the conical winding mechanism, double mainspring barrels, remontoir, balance wheel, and escapement, are made in-house.
This watch features a rare and extremely complex element: a remontoir d’égalité. This mechanism aims to deliver a more constant force to the escapement, thus solving a major issue with watches boasting a long power reserve. Generally, the stronger the springs, the longer the power reserve, but this also creates a problem: a stronger spring delivers an irregular torque. When fully wound, it provides a significant torque. As the power reserve nears its end, the torque decreases. A remontoir evens out the torque distribution by storing energy for one second and releasing it in equal parts to the escapement every second. This theoretically ensures consistent amplitude throughout the power reserve duration.
With the remontoir d’égalité, Andreas Strehler focuses on eliminating external factors like temperature. Even slight temperature variations can influence the viscosity of the lubricants used in mainspring barrels and, consequently, the regular descent of the mainspring. Here, he presents a mechanical solution that nearly filters out all technical and mechanical influences on the escapement.
Strap
The Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte comes with a hand-stitched alligator strap and a prominent red gold buckle, which I must say, is quite striking.
How much does the Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte?
The Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte is limited by its production capacity and is offered at a price of CHF 112,000 (excluding VAT).
Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte: The world’s most precise moon phase watch
Overall, this watch perfectly embodies what high-end independent watchmaking should be: it boasts innovation (the Vernier scale addresses two inherent issues with moon phases in terms of setting and readability), has beautiful mechanical solutions (the remontoir d’égalité), possesses a unique design (the shape of the case and the butterfly-shaped bridge on the back), exhibits true haute horlogerie finishing, and offers exclusivity. Each piece is meticulously crafted and finished by hand. The best part is the simplicity of the watch: neither too large, nor too extreme, nor complex to use or understand. I would like to thank Shahz for showcasing this timepiece. If you are interested in this piece, you can find it at the Salon des Horlogers showroom in Dubai DIFC.
Andreas Strehler Sauterelle à Lune Exacte – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Andreas Strehler
- Model: Sauterelle à Lune Exacte
- Case Material: 18 K Red Gold 5N
- Dial: Silver dial with gray coating and rotating Vernier scale
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, World most precise Moonphase (2 million years for 1 day deviation)
- Movement: In-house, Manual-Winding, 21’600vph frequency (3Hz), 25 jewels and 184 parts
- Power Reserve: 78 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Closed
- Case Dimension: 47.2 mm (Width) × 41 mm (Length) x 10 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Black Alligator Leather with 18K Red Gold pin buckle
- Availability: Limited Edition of 8 pieces
- Retail Price: CHF 125’000 (Excluding VAT)
Are you aware of this watch, as complex as it is impressive? Share your thoughts in the comments.
For more information about Andreas Strehler, click here.
