One year ago, during the 2017 edition of the SIHH, A. Lange & Söhne re-founder and great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange passed away at the age of 92 (see The Life And Times Of A. Lange & Söhne Re-Founder Walter Lange).

To honor Walter Lange’s life and legacy, A. Lange & Söhne organized a really organic live round table conversation to remember the great man. Elizabeth Doerr, who had known him since 1995, gave some insight into his personality, while our resident collector GaryG offered expertise as to why his legacy was so important to the brand and how this affects the new 1815 Homage to Walter Lange wristwatch, in particular the unique piece stainless steel version set to go up for auction in May 2018 for charity.

A. Lange & Söhne’s 1815 Homage to Walter Lange (photo courtesy AllenS)

Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo will be handling the auction, so star auctioneer (and A. Lange & Söhne wearer) Aurel Bacs was of course on hand to discuss the upcoming auction. And A. Lange & Söhne watchmaker Robert Hoffmann, in charge of the Zeitwerk department, shared some memories of his mentor as did CEO Wilhelm Schmid.

I think that you are likely to find this informative chat well worth watching: Piers Gibbon moderates a panel of SIHH insiders offering very different perspectives at the big Genevan watch fair on this emotional topic.

Travel writer and TV presenter Piers Gibbon (left) talking to Quill & Pad’s Elizabeth Doerr and GaryG on their thoughts on Walter Lange