In recent years, a relatively newer brand has risen in popularity, and is now regarded as one of the premier manufactures. The brand we speak of is of course, A. Lange & Söhne. They’ve most definitely challenged the status quo of haute horology, in a rather traditional way, and their collections certainly reflect this. This year, the brand celebrates its 25th anniversary, and one can’t help but be impressed by all they’ve accomplished in their short and somewhat discontinuous history.
While A. Lange & Söhne might have been originally founded in Glashütte back in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the Lange we know today was not. Being well known in the earlier days for their pocket watches and WWII oversized pilot’s watches, the manufacture’s operations came to a rather abrupt stop after the war had come to an end in 1948. The post-war Soviet administration took away Lange’s facilities, and the brand was forced to shut down. Then, some 42 years later, the brand would be revived and ready for the new market.
A. Lange & Söhne’s main production facility, after being bombed.
In 1990, just one year after the collapse of the Berlin wall, the brand was revived. Not only did this represent the second coming of A. Lange & Söhne, but it was also the return of truly interesting horology to Glashütte. During the time of Lange’s absence, Glashütte’s horological abilities had been put to work on more pragmatic designs, fit for the average working man. Then, just 5 short years later, the brand would then release what is regarded as their most revered piece, the asymmetrical-dialed Lange 1.
The falling of the Berlin Wall
Now, while the company celebrates their 25th anniversary, the Lange 1 is not quite there. Being a later Lange, by a mere 5 years, the brand’s now modern icon of a watch celebrates its 20th anniversary. When looking back at all the variations of the Lange 1 released to date, it’s quite amazing to see just how much the already mechanically complicated design has evolved to date. With 10 different versions currently offered — from the original Lange 1, to the Time Zone, to the Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar — the Lange 1 is without a doubt one of the brand’s strongest, and most easily recognizable, lines to this day.
20 years of Lange 1
With only 25 years (in the modern age) under Lange’s belt, they’ve made a significant impact on the world of horology and have given some of the most established brands a serious run for their money. They undoubtedly make a case for the “Big 3” to be re-named to the “Fab 4” (or is that already taken?). As indicated by Lange’s recent anniversary releases, the excitement behind this innovative brand will surely continue for years to come. From all of us here at Wound For Life, happy 25th anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne!
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