GaryG provides us with a look at why he bought the A. Lange & Söhne Double Split even though he already owned the brand’s Datograph. The Double Split watch is the world’s only double rattrapante capable of both split-second and split-minute interval timing.
What happens when you take eight watchmaking students, a photographer, a plucky PR manager, and yours truly and send them on an international mission of espionage and intrigue? Joshua has no idea, but he does know that that same cast of characters came together to participate in quite possibly the most prestigious watchmaking competition in the world: the Walter Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award presented by A. Lange & Söhne.
Many of you are likely to have come across at least a few heated discussions of “finishing,” a topic that seems to fascinate, and divide, watch enthusiasts. Like many people, GaryG’s starting point for serious watches was with a well-priced brand long known for its expertise in developing movements, justly viewed as offering good value for money – but not necessarily for the refinement of its movement finishing, at least on its less expensive pieces. Read on to discover what he has learned since then?
The Zeitwerk was the watch that encouraged George Cramer to start following A. Lange & Söhne more closely, but it still took until last year before he finally got to handle one in the metal. And he became instantly addicted.
As you might expect, the Homage To Walter Lange In Stainless Steel feels light, but not overly so. At 40.5 mm in diameter it is not a small watch, but the black face and generous bezel make the watch wear a bit smaller – certainly a much tidier size than the Double Split!
At SIHH 2018, two competitions highlighted creative young watchmakers: one by F.P. Journe in collaboration with the FHH and one from A. Lange & Söhne. Each of these competitions has a specific focus, but both are aimed at giving young watchmakers an opportunity to find the spotlight for their talents. Judging by the finalists, there is plenty of creativity to keep mechanical watchmaking alive for the next generation.
It sometimes escapes notice, but between A. Lange & Söhne’s Lange 1 and Tourbillon Pour le Mérite resides the Saxonia, whose name refers to the federal state in which Glashütte is located: Saxony. Here, Sabine Zwettler provides a rundown of the history of one of the German brand’s understated second-row stars.
In this edition of ‘Behind the Lens,’ GaryG pays tribute to the introduction of the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 on October 24, 1994. He brings us stunning images of two very special variants of the classic watch: the rare Cellini limited edition, of which only 25 were made for the New York City retailer, and the even rarer stainless steel Lange 1, which was not a limited edition per se, but certainly a (very) limited sort-of production watch.
To honor Walter Lange’s life and legacy, A. Lange & Söhne organized a really organic live round table conversation during the 2018 SIHH to remember the great man that included our own Elizabeth Doerr and GaryG. Watch the video here!
Philippe Dufour, watchmaker, legend, and frank opinionator, was asked by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) to choose his top five watches of the 2018 SIHH. While some of his choices may seem unusual, they absolutely resonated with me!