A. Lange Söhne Watches

Today, A. Lange Söhne produce only a few thousand wristwatches per year in their manufacture in Glashütte, 30 kilometers south of Dresden – mainly in gold or platinum. Their movements are produced exclusively in-house. With 66 manufacture calibres developed since the launch of the first collection of the new era in October 1994, A. Lange Söhne has once again secured a top-tier position in the world of watches. Its greatest successes include brand icons such as the LANGE 1, the first regularly produced wristwatch with an outsize date, and the ZEITWERK, with its precisely jumping numerals. Extraordinary complications such as the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER, TOURBOGRAPH PERPETUAL “Pour le Mérite,” and the TRIPLE SPLIT represent what the manufactory always aims for: to drive the traditional art of watchmaking to ever-new heights. Furthermore, the sporty-elegant ODYSSEUS, introduced in 2019, marked a new chapter for A. Lange Söhne.

During the manufacturing process of the precision watches, the Lange watchmakers decorate the timepieces by hand with the highest level of expertise and attention to every little detail. They assemble each watch twice, performing their work with the traditional craftsmanship that was once practiced at the Dresden court. With each new model, they attempt to build the watches of the future using past values in partnership with technical innovations – living up to Walter Lange’s driving motivation never to stand still.

A. Lange Söhne is currently owned by the Richemont Group, a luxury goods conglomerate based in Switzerland. Richemont acquired A. Lange Söhne in 2000, along with several other high-end watch brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, and Panerai. Despite being part of a larger group, A. Lange Söhne continues to operate as an independent entity based in Glashütte, Germany. The company is managed by CEO Wilhelm Schmid, who has been with A. Lange Söhne since 2011 and has overseen the release of several notable timepieces, including the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar and the Triple Split.

During World War II, A. Lange Söhne’s production was completely halted as the company was forced to close its doors due to the political and economic climate at the time. The Lange family was forced to flee their home in Glashütte, Germany, and the company’s facilities were repurposed to support the war effort.

Following the war, the Lange family was unable to reclaim ownership of their company due to Soviet occupation and the nationalization of businesses in the region. It wasn’t until 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, that Walter Lange, great-grandson of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, was able to reclaim the family’s ownership of A. Lange Söhne and revive the brand.

Lange 1

The A. Lange Söhne Lange 1 collection is a series of luxury timepieces that showcase the brand’s unique and distinctive design aesthetic. The collection was launched in 1994 and features a range of watches with various complications, including time-only, date, moon phase, and power reserve functions.

The Lange 1 collection is known for its asymmetrical dial layout, with a large date display at the top and an off-centered time display at the bottom. The watches are also characterized by their oversized, double-window date displays, which are a signature feature of the Lange 1, which is achieved through a complex system of rotating discs.

The watches in the Lange 1 collection are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using only the finest materials, such as precious metals and high-quality alligator leather straps. The movements are also a point of pride for A. Lange Söhne, and they are designed and manufactured entirely in-house.

Saxonia

The A. Lange Söhne Saxonia collection is a series of luxury timepieces that showcase the brand’s signature style of minimalist, understated design. The collection features a range of watches with various complications, including time-only, date, moon phase, and chronograph functions.

The Saxonia collection is known for its clean lines, simple dials, and elegant cases. The watches are crafted with the highest attention to detail, using only the finest materials, such as precious metals and alligator leather straps. The movements are also a point of pride for A. Lange Söhne, and they are designed and manufactured entirely in-house.

One of the standout features of the Saxonia collection is the use of German silver for the movement, which is prized for its durability and hardness. The watches also feature hand-engraved balance wheels and hand-finished bridges, which are a testament to the brand’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship.

1815

The A. Lange Söhne 1815 collection is a series of luxury timepieces that pay tribute to the birth year of Ferdinand A. Lange, the founder of A. Lange Söhne. These watches are designed to embody the classic, timeless elegance of traditional watchmaking, with a focus on clean lines and simple, understated design.

The 1815 collection features a range of watches with various complications, including chronographs, moon phases, and perpetual calendars. Each timepiece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and is made using the highest quality materials, including precious metals and high-grade leather.

One of the standout features of the 1815 collection is the use of traditional watchmaking techniques, such as hand-engraved balance cocks and screwed gold chatons, which are a hallmark of A. Lange Söhne’s craftsmanship. The watches are powered by the brand’s proprietary movements, which are known for their precision and reliability.

Richard Lange

The A. Lange Söhne Richard Lange collection is a series of luxury timepieces that pay homage to one of the brand’s founding fathers, Richard Lange. Richard Lange was a master watchmaker who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries and was known for his innovative designs and precise timekeeping.

The Richard Lange collection features a range of watches with various complications, including chronographs, perpetual calendars, and tourbillons. Each timepiece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and is made using the highest quality materials.

One of the standout features of the Richard Lange collection is the use of the brand’s proprietary movement, which is known for its accuracy and reliability. This movement is often visible through the sapphire crystal case back, allowing the wearer to admire the intricate mechanisms at work.

Odysseus

The A. Lange Söhne Odysseus collection is the brand’s first collection of sporty luxury watches. It was introduced in 2019 and is named after the Greek hero Odysseus, who represents both strength and intelligence.

The Odysseus collection features a distinctive design, with a 40.5mm stainless steel case and an integrated bracelet. The watch has a blue dial with white gold hands and hour markers and displays the date at 6 o’clock. The watch is powered by the brand’s first self-winding movement, the L155.1 DATOMATIC, which has a power reserve of 50 hours.

The Odysseus is designed to be an all-around watch, suitable for both formal and casual occasions. It is water-resistant to 120 meters and has a screw-down crown to ensure water resistance. The integrated bracelet has a butterfly clasp and a quick-change system, allowing the wearer to easily switch between the bracelet and a leather or rubber strap.

The A. Lange Söhne Odysseus collection is a departure from the brand’s traditional dress watches and represents a new direction for the brand. It has been well-received by watch enthusiasts and collectors and has helped to expand the brand’s appeal to a new audience.

Zeitwerk

The A. Lange Söhne Zeitwerk collection is a unique and modern line of watches that was introduced in 2009. It is known for its striking digital display, which is a departure from the traditional analog display of most luxury watches. The collection takes its name from the German word “Zeitwerk,” which translates to “time work” in English.

The Zeitwerk collection is made up of several different models, including the Zeitwerk Striking Time, the Zeitwerk Decimal Strike, and the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater. Each model features a distinctive design and unique complication, but all share the same digital display that displays the time in hours and minutes in large, easy-to-read numerals.

One of the most interesting features of the Zeitwerk collection is the constant-force escapement, which ensures that the watch maintains accurate timekeeping even as the mainspring winds down. This is a complicated mechanism that is rarely seen in luxury watches and is a testament to the technical innovation that A. Lange Söhne is known for.