A. Lange & Söhne is a luxury watch brand with a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. The company was founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in the town of Glashütte, in the Kingdom of Saxony (modern-day Germany).
Lange was a talented watchmaker who had worked in Paris and Switzerland before returning to his hometown to start his own business. He was determined to create high-quality timepieces that could compete with the best Swiss watches of the time. Lange’s ambition was fueled by his desire to elevate the reputation of German watchmaking, which at the time was not as highly regarded as its Swiss counterpart.
The early years of A. Lange & Söhne were marked by the production of pocket watches, which were highly valued for their precision and quality. The company quickly established a reputation for excellence and won numerous awards for its timepieces at international exhibitions.
However, the company’s fortunes took a downturn in the aftermath of World War II. The Lange family fled the Soviet occupation of East Germany, and the company’s assets were seized by the government. For several decades, A. Lange & Söhne ceased to exist as an independent watchmaker.
It wasn’t until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 that the Lange family was able to reclaim the company’s assets and revive the A. Lange & Söhne brand. The company was reestablished in 1990, with Walter Lange, Ferdinand’s great-grandson, at the helm.
Under Walter Lange’s leadership, A. Lange & Söhne returned to its roots as a maker of high-end mechanical watches. The company’s modern-day timepieces are renowned for their precision, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. A. Lange & Söhne produces a range of watches, from simple three-hand models to complex timepieces with multiple complications, such as tourbillons, perpetual calendars, and moon phases.
Today, A. Lange & Söhne is considered one of the world’s premier watch brands, and its timepieces are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. The company continues to be based in Glashütte, and its watches are made using traditional techniques, including hand-engraving and hand-finishing. The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation has helped to establish it as a leader in the world of luxury watchmaking.
