Short answer

A fake Saxonia 202.026 is a counterfeit of an A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia. Real Saxonia watches are built in Glashütte, Germany, in 18k gold or platinum, with a hand-engraved balance cock and an in-house caliber. Counterfeits use plated brass or steel cases, generic movements, and laser-etched decoration. The reference 202.026 does not appear in the current Saxonia catalog. Any listing that cites it needs document checks before payment.

What the reference number tells you

A. Lange & Söhne was re-founded in 1990. The first collection reached dealers in October 1994. The Saxonia sits at the entry of the line. Current models include the Saxonia Thin at 37mm and 40mm and the Saxonia Automatic at 38.5mm. The Saxonia Automatic runs caliber L086.1 with a 72-hour power reserve. Lange does not run a public serial database. The company archive confirms production data on request.

Case and dial checks

  • Metal: real Saxonia cases are 18k gold or platinum, stamped 750 or Pt950, with German hallmarks. Gold-plated brass is a fake signal.
  • Thickness: Saxonia Automatic cases measure about 10mm or less. Many fakes run thicker and sit high on the wrist.
  • Dial text: "A. LANGE & SÖHNE" at 12, "SAXONIA" above the small seconds, "MADE IN GERMANY" below it. Compare the ampersand shape and letter spacing.
  • Hands: polished gold or blued steel. Plating that flakes at the edges points to a copy.

Movement checks

  • Balance cock: every Lange movement carries one engraved by hand with a floral motif. Cut lines from a burin vary in depth. Laser copies look shallow and even.
  • Three-quarter plate in untreated German silver, blued screws, and gold chatons.
  • Caliber number and "Made in Germany" engraved on the movement.
  • A quartz module or an unbranded automatic behind the display back equals a fake.

Price signals

New Saxonia Automatic retail runs above $20,000. Used examples from the 1990s and 2000s trade from about $10,000 to $20,000, based on metal and condition. Offers between $200 and $900 point to a counterfeit. No gold Lange sells at those prices.

Paperwork

Lange ships each watch in a leather case with a certificate that lists the reference number and the serial number. The serial appears on the movement and the case. Lange's archive can confirm the production date and the original configuration.

Steps before you pay

  1. Ask for photos of the movement through the display back.
  2. Ask for the serial number and the reference number from the caseback and the certificate.
  3. Send both numbers to Lange customer service in Glashütte and request archive confirmation.
  4. Have a watchmaker open the case. Check the caliber, the engraving, and the hallmarks.
  5. Compare the asking price with sold lots at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips.

What is unknown

Lange does not publish production totals by reference. The number of Saxonia 202.026 pieces made, if the reference exists, is not public. Treat seller claims about limited production as unverified.