A great watchmaker - Ferdinand Adolph Lange was born in Dresden in 1815 In 1842 Adolph Lange became a partner in the Gutkaes horological workshops and was appointed clock maker in the court. Then, in 1845 Ferdinand Adolph Lange found Saxony's fine-watch industry The watchmaking name of A. Lange & Söhne, a trademark that later would become world-famous, was first established in 1868 by Aldoph Lange in the town of Glasshutte, Saxony. The firm established itself as makers of distinctive timepieces, and had an illustrious history. On May 7th 1945, Russian fighter-bombers bore down on German Panzers retreating through the city of Glashutte.
After the end of the Second World War, the factory was seized by the German Socialist Union. After refusing to work for the socialist labor union that taken control of Lange and six other engineering companies., he was sentenced to forced labor in the local uranium mines. With no hope remaining of salvaging his company, he had little reason to stay in Glashutte and fled to West Germany. Shortly after, 1951 the Lange name ceased to exist on watches as it was now one of seven German companies organized in a combine under the name Glashutte Uhrenbetrieben or GUB by the communist government. It was only after the German reunification in1990, the founder's great grandson, Walter Lange, began work to revive the company. Lange found a sponsor in Gunter Blumlein, at that time the boss of Switzerland's famous International Watch Company. (Gunther has now moved to the parent company LMH, who also has interests in Jaeger LeCoultre, IWC and Lange Uhren.) And with funding from LMH, Walter set about to restore the fine name of A. Lange und Sohne.
The latest creations from A. Lange & Sohne were premiered at the Basel fair and highlight Walter Lange's commitment to producing extraordinary timepieces. Lange's patented over-size date window has now been incorporated into a column wheel controlled chronograph with a flyback feature. This new "Datograph" epitomizes the attention to aesthetics and mechanics found in all Lange timepieces. The higly finished movement is like a work of art unto itself. Blued screws, screw secured chatons and a hand engraved balance cock are all aspects of a micro machine that looks as good as it performs. The whiplash style precision balance wheel adjustment also lends elegance and functionality - allowing minor rate changes without the need to remove the balance wheel. The entire movement is comprised of 390 separate parts Most of which have been blued, polished, beveled, or decorated in one way or another. This extra finish work is visible through a sapphire crystal back allowing a full appreciation of the fine inner mechanism. Including the damascened German silver plates, hand beveled edges and independent 4th whell bridge. Attention to detail is also clear in the custom engineering of the minute counter. It has a patent pending on its design which suspends the adjustable lever between jewels - similar to a wheel in the gear train. The design makes the minute counter jump exactly as the second hand passes sixty and allows for simple fine tuning without disassembly. Cased in platinum only the Datograph retails for $46,200.
Another new offering from Lange is the 1815 Moonphase. All mechanical moon phase watches will need manual adjustments to keep synchronous with earth's only natural satellite. Whereas most mechanical moon-phase watches will need manual adjustments every few years, the Lange 1815 will, if kept constantly running, deviate from the synodic phase by only a single day in 1058 years! This was accomplished by engineering the moon phase display to the hour as opposed to most moon phase watches which are geared to either change either once or twice daily depending on the movement. This elegant watch quietly draws attention to its moon phase function with the addition of the constellation Ursa Major (the big dipper). A sub seconds dial balances the dial opposite the moon phase display. Only 400 of these very special Lange moon phases will be produced. 250 in 18 kt rose gold and 150 in platinum. Retail price for the Lange Moon phase is $18,200 in platinum and $13,200 in rose gold.
