Quick Answer
A. Lange & Söhne never built a Saxonia Automatic in stainless steel. Every genuine one has a case in 18k gold or platinum. Most watches sold as a "fake Saxonia Automatic" or a "Saxonia Automatic replica" use a steel or plated base metal case, a third-party automatic movement, and dial printing that does not match the real reference. Check four things before you pay: case metal, reference number, the movement through the sapphire back, and the engraving on the balance cock.
Case Metal and Reference Number
The Saxonia Automatic arrived in 2007 under reference 380. Known versions include 380.032 in white gold with a silver dial, 380.033 in rose gold, and 380.026 in yellow gold. Platinum examples exist in small numbers. Case diameter is 38.5 mm. None of them are steel. A listing that says "steel Saxonia Automatic" is not describing a Lange. Real cases carry the reference number between the lugs, and the movement number matches the paperwork.
Look Through the Case Back
Every Saxonia Automatic has a sapphire case back. Calibre L086.1 runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour with a 72-hour power reserve and 31 jewels. The finish is the hard part to copy. Look for Glashütte ribbing on the three-quarter plate, screwed gold chatons, blued screws, and a balance cock with hand engraving. Counterfeits use laser etching, printed plates, or a bare stamp. Engraving cut by hand has uneven depth and small tool marks. Laser work looks flat and even under a loupe.
Weight and Feel
A gold case at 38.5 mm feels heavy in the hand. Plated brass and steel do not. Weigh the watch against a known reference when you can. A strap that smells of plastic, a clasp with soft edges, and a crown that grinds are common on fakes. The real crown has a defined click and a crisp logo.
Price and Papers
Secondary market prices for a used gold Saxonia Automatic sit in the mid five figures in USD. A seller asking under $3,000 is not selling a Lange. Boxes, leather wallets, and signed guarantee booklets are copied. Paperwork is easy to fake. The movement is not. Buy from a seller who will open the case back for photos, or send the watch to a Lange service center for authentication. Note that buying or importing counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States.
What Fakes Get Wrong
Dial text spacing, hand shape, the date window at 3 o'clock on reference 380, and the placement of engraving on the balance cock. Lange sells through its own boutiques and a short list of authorized dealers. A new Saxonia Automatic at a deep discount from a marketplace is a replica or a fraud.