Watchmaking is an art that reflects the personality and know-how of those who practice it. Among the many prestigious brands in this field, A. Lange & Söhne holds a special place thanks to its rich and captivating history.

In this guide, we invite you to discover the epic of this German watch manufacturer and some of its emblematic models.

The origins of A. Lange & Sohne

Founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the A. Lange & Söhne brand owes its success above all to the vision and perseverance of its founder. Born in 1815 into a family of watchmakers, Lange trained with the greatest masters of the time before setting up his own business in Glashütte, a small town in Saxony, not far from Dresden.

His desire to develop watchmaking on German soil prompted him to train young apprentices and introduce innovative techniques to improve the precision and quality of locally produced watches. Very quickly, the timepieces signed A. Lange & Söhne acquired a reputation for excellence and were prized by collectors all over the world.

Turbulence and rebirth

Unfortunately, the story of A. Lange & Söhne is also marked by several hardships. In 1948, the factory was nationalized and its buildings were destroyed during the Second World War. It was not until 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, that the brand was reborn from its ashes thanks to Walter Lange, great-grandson of the founder.

In 1994, A. Lange & Söhne presented its first collection of watches since German reunification, comprising four key models: the Lange 1, the Saxonia, the Arkade and the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite.

The latter, equipped with a tourbillon and a chain and fusee mechanism, testifies to the brand's desire to continue to innovate and push the limits of watchmaking.

The iconic timepieces of A. Lange & Sohne

Over the years, A. Lange & Söhne has been able to combine tradition and modernity to create watches with a refined design and impressive horological complications. Here are some models that have contributed to forging the legend of this manufacture:

• Language 1: Launched in 1994, this hand-wound watch quickly became the brand's emblem thanks to its off-centre dial and large date display, inspired by the clocks of the Semperoper in Dresden. The Lange 1 is also equipped with a manufacture movement with double barrels offering a power reserve of 72 hours.
• Datograph: Presented in 1999, this hand-wound chronograph seduces with its flyback function and large date display. Its movement, entirely designed and manufactured by A. Lange & Söhne, is renowned for its beauty and precision.
• Zeitwerk: launched in 2009, this watch is distinguished by its mechanical digital display of the hours and minutes, a first in the history of watchmaking. The patented constant winding system guarantees optimum precision throughout the 36-hour power reserve.

The watchmaking expertise of A. Lange & Sohne

Behind these emblematic models hides true craftsmanship carried out by the Manufacture's master watchmakers. Each movement is assembled by hand and finished with extreme care, as evidenced by the numerous decorations (chamfering, circular-graining, polishing) which sublimate each mechanical part.

A. Lange & Söhne not only creates exceptional timepieces, the brand also pays particular attention to passing them on to future generations. Thus, in 1997 it created the Ferdinand Adolph Lange Foundation, which aims to preserve and promote the art of watchmaking in the Glashütte region.

A. Lange & Söhne: a manufacture committed to the future

Although rooted in the past, A. Lange & Söhne remains nonetheless focused on the future and strives to respond to current environmental and societal challenges:

1. Environmental Protection : the brand strives to reduce its ecological footprint by optimizing its manufacturing processes and favoring eco-responsible materials for its watches and packaging.
2. Youth support: A. Lange & Söhne contributes to the development of watchmaking education in Germany by offering scholarships and participating in various local educational initiatives.
3. Cultural sponsorship: as a partner of the famous Dresden classical music festival, A. Lange & Söhne supports emerging talent and promotes access to culture for all.

In conclusion, the story of A. Lange & Söhne is that of a watchmaking house that has survived hardships and reinvented itself to continue to shine on the international scene.

Thanks to a skilful blend of tradition, innovation and responsibility, the brand perpetuates the heritage of its founder and remains a benchmark in the world of luxury watchmaking.