Unveiling the History of A. Lange & Söhne: The Journey of a German Watchmaking Icon

Founder and Origins of A. Lange & Söhne

• Founder: Ferdinand Adolph Lange
• Year Established: 1845
• Initial Location: Glashütte, Germany
• First Watch: Pocket Watches
• Official Website: www.alange-soehne.com

The world of luxury horology is replete with prestigious names, yet few brands command the same allure and prestige as A. Lange & Söhne. Often ranked alongside the most revered Swiss watch manufacturers, this German marque stands as a pinnacle symbol of excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring heritage.

This article will take you on a fascinating journey through the rich history of A. Lange & Söhne, tracing its humble origins to its remarkable resurgence in the modern era. Together, we will explore how the brand was established, who its visionary founder was, where it first took root, the name of the first timepiece produced, and other supporting details that enrich the narrative of this exceptional marque.

The Early Chapter: The Birth of Excellence in Glashütte (1845)

The story of A. Lange & Söhne begins in the mid-19th century in the Saxony region of Germany. At that time, the previously thriving silver mining industry in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), where the small town of Glashütte is located, was experiencing a significant decline, causing poverty and economic hardship for the local population. Amidst these challenging conditions emerged a talented watchmaker named Ferdinand Adolph Lange.

Hailing from Dresden, Lange possessed a strong vision to revitalize the once-prosperous Erzgebirge region by establishing a high-precision watchmaking industry capable of competing with the renowned watchmaking centers in England and Switzerland. Lange’s motivation transcended mere business ambition; he had a sincere desire to contribute positively to the Glashütte community by creating employment opportunities and improving their economic well-being.

On December 7, 1845, Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s vision became a reality when he officially founded his watchmaking workshop in Glashütte, a town that would subsequently become known as the heart of the German watchmaking industry, a reputation it maintains to this day.

The choice of Glashütte as the company’s founding location was no coincidence. Lange saw great potential in the region and strategically planned to build a watchmaking hub that would attract talent and expertise, thereby creating a sustainable watchmaking ecosystem. To realize his vision, Lange successfully convinced the Saxon government to provide financial support in the form of a loan amounting to 7800 thalers.

These funds were used to recruit the first 15 apprentice watchmakers and purchase the necessary equipment to commence production. Initially, the company was established under the name A. Lange & Cie. Lange’s decision to found his company in Glashütte demonstrated a profound understanding of the region’s potential and his determination not only to create a successful watch brand but also to build a new industry that would provide long-term economic benefits for the local community.

His conviction that Germany, as a cultured and advanced nation, should have its own watchmaking center capable of competing with Switzerland further strengthened his resolve to realize his vision in Glashütte.

The Founder: Ferdinand Adolph Lange, A Horological Pioneer

Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the figure behind the establishment of A. Lange & Söhne, was born in Dresden in 1815. From a young age, he displayed an interest and aptitude for mechanics and watchmaking. At the age of 15, Lange began his apprenticeship under the guidance of Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes, a prominent watchmaker of his time. During his apprenticeship, Lange collaborated with Gutkaes on significant projects, including the creation of the famous five-minute clock for the Semperoper opera house in Dresden.

This experience provided a strong foundation for Lange’s understanding of precision and design in watchmaking. After completing his apprenticeship with distinction in 1835, Lange did not cease learning. He traveled to various leading watchmaking centers in Europe, including Paris, Switzerland, and England, to deepen his knowledge of the latest techniques and innovations in the industry.

Lange’s primary motivation was not limited to creating the finest timepieces. He had a larger vision: to create a strong and sustainable watchmaking industry in Saxony capable of competing with established watchmaking hubs in England and Switzerland. To achieve his goal, Lange introduced several early innovations that had a significant impact on the watchmaking industry.

One of his key innovations was replacing the “linges” measurement system used in Paris with the more accurate and user-friendly metric system. Furthermore, in 1846, Lange developed the three-quarter plate, a watch movement component that significantly enhanced stability and precision and remains a hallmark of Lange watches to this day.

These innovative steps demonstrated Lange’s focus on precision, quality, and efficiency in every aspect of watchmaking. His involvement in the Semperoper clock project also provided early insights into the importance of clear and legible design, which would later be reflected in the design of Lange timepieces.

The Pocket Watch Era: Foundation of a Reputation

In its early days, A. Lange & Söhne focused primarily on producing high-quality pocket watches that quickly became renowned for their craftsmanship and mechanical innovation. Lange’s pocket watches were often custom-ordered by elite clients and royal families across Europe, indicating the brand’s rapidly growing reputation.

These pocket watches were known for their intricate movements, exquisite finishing, and distinct German design emphasizing clarity and function. They were frequently equipped with high complications such as chronographs, perpetual calendars, and minute repeaters, further solidifying Lange’s reputation as a watchmaker with exceptional technical capabilities.

The brand quickly gained recognition for the innovative movements and meticulous craftsmanship applied to every pocket watch they produced. The quality and precision of Lange pocket watches made them highly sought-after gifts among nobility and prominent figures of the era. The roles of Ferdinand’s sons, Richard and Emil Lange, were also crucial to the company’s development.

Richard, who joined in 1868, was an outstanding watch designer with a profound scientific talent. He contributed to the company by developing and patenting 27 innovations, further pushing the boundaries of precision in timekeeping. Emil, who joined in 1871, was a gifted salesman with a strong understanding of aesthetics. He successfully brought international fame to the A. Lange & Söhne brand through his expertise in marketing and sales.

In 1868, in recognition of Richard’s contributions, the company’s name was officially changed to A. Lange & Söhne. The early success of A. Lange & Söhne was built on the foundation of producing high-quality pocket watches, supported by Ferdinand’s vision and the complementary skills of his two sons. The combination of Ferdinand’s technical expertise, Richard’s design talent, and Emil’s business acumen allowed the company to grow rapidly and gain an international reputation as one of the world’s finest watchmakers.

The 20th Century: Challenges and Changes

The early 20th century brought a series of new challenges for A. Lange & Söhne. World War I significantly impacted the German economy and the watchmaking industry as a whole, including A. Lange & Söhne. The war disrupted business operations as many of the company’s previously loyal customers suddenly became enemy soldiers, resulting in a sharp decline in sales volume. Despite facing economic hardships, the company managed to endure this turbulent period.

Later, during World War II, A. Lange & Söhne played a role in the German war effort by producing oversized watches for the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). These pilot watches were designed to meet the specific needs of aviators, featuring easily readable dials and highly accurate movements. However, the company’s involvement in military production during the war represents a darker period in the brand’s history.

In addition to producing watches for the military, the company also utilized forced labor to build chronometers, timers, and detonators, a deeply regrettable practice and part of the dark history of World War II. Another tragedy struck the company on the final day of the war in 1945, when the A. Lange & Söhne workshops in Glashütte were bombed and completely destroyed in an air raid. This destruction was a major blow to the company and threatened its very survival.

Following the end of World War II, Germany was divided into two parts, and Glashütte fell within the territory of East Germany, controlled by the Soviet Union. In 1948, the Lange family was expropriated, and the Soviet administration nationalized the company’s remaining property. The name A. Lange & Söhne disappeared from the watchmaking map for over 40 years after the company was merged with other watchmaking firms in Glashütte into the VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe (GUB) in 1951.

During this period, Walter Lange, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who aspired to continue the family tradition as a watchmaker, was forced to leave Glashütte and witness his family’s brand vanish from the world of horology. World War II and the subsequent nationalization dealt a severe blow to A. Lange & Söhne, leading to the cessation of luxury watch production and the loss of a brand name painstakingly built over more than a century.

The Rebirth: A New Era Under Walter Lange (1990)

The historic fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 was a turning point that paved the way for German reunification and brought new hope to many, including Walter Lange. Walter, who since his youth had dreamed of following in his ancestors’ footsteps as a watchmaker, saw this as a golden opportunity to realize his dream of reviving the family business in Glashütte.

On December 7, 1990, exactly 145 years after Ferdinand Adolph Lange founded the original company, Walter Lange, together with Günter Blümlein, a successful watch executive with experience at IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, officially re-registered the A. Lange & Söhne brand. The partnership between Walter Lange, who brought the family legacy and vision, and Günter Blümlein, who contributed industry expertise and a strong business vision, proved crucial to the brand’s revival. Together, they began meticulously planning the rebirth of the A. Lange & Söhne manufactory in Glashütte, aiming to restore the brand to the pinnacle of German and global horology.

After four years of intense preparation and development, A. Lange & Söhne was successfully relaunched to the public on October 24, 1994. This highly anticipated launch featured a collection of four new watch models that immediately garnered widespread acclaim from experts and watch collectors worldwide. The four models were the Lange 1, Arkade, Saxonia, and Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite”.

The success of this relaunch was significant, with all 123 watches produced at the time selling out quickly. This historic moment not only marked the return of the A. Lange & Söhne name to the world of horology but also affirmed that the tradition of high-quality watchmaking from Glashütte had been revived and was ready to compete on the global stage.

The First Watch of the Modern Era: Lange 1, A Symbol of Revival

Among the four models relaunched by A. Lange & Söhne in 1994, the Lange 1 emerged as the most iconic and became a symbol of the brand’s resurgence. Although the company had a long history of producing high-quality pocket watches, the Lange 1 is widely considered the first wristwatch of the modern A. Lange & Söhne era following its revival.

The Lange 1 featured a highly distinctive and innovative design that instantly set it apart from other watches on the market. Its signature features include a unique asymmetrical dial design based on the rule of thirds, a patented outsize date display inspired by the famous five-minute clock in the Dresden Semperoper, and a power reserve indicator showing how much energy remained in the watch movement.

This bold and unconventional design was a powerful statement and helped A. Lange & Söhne quickly differentiate itself in a market dominated by Swiss brands. In addition to its unique design, the Lange 1 was equipped with the highly significant Caliber L901.0 movement, developed and produced in-house by Lange, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to manufacturing movements to the highest quality standards.

The Lange 1 was not just the first watch launched by A. Lange & Söhne in the modern era; it also became a symbol of the brand’s overall philosophy: honoring a rich heritage while continuously innovating for the future. Its visually distinct design and use of advanced technology marked a new era for the company, cementing its position as a luxury watch manufacturer with unparalleled character and quality.

The success of the Lange 1 in the market and the positive reception from collectors and watch enthusiasts testified to the vision of Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein in reviving the brand with innovative, high-quality products possessing a strong identity.

Other Supporting Information

Following its successful relaunch in 1994, A. Lange & Söhne continued to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and excellence in luxury watchmaking. The brand introduced several other iconic models that further strengthened its reputation in the horological world.

One such model was the Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite”, also launched in 1994, which featured the first fusée-and-chain transmission mechanism in a modern wristwatch, an innovation showcasing Lange’s high level of technical expertise. Then, in 1999, Lange launched the Datograph, an innovative chronograph quickly recognized for its mechanical excellence and elegant design.

In 2009, Lange once again made waves by introducing the Zeitwerk, the first mechanical watch featuring jumping digital hours and minutes, a highly innovative and unique concept. Not to be overlooked, in 2004, Lange launched the Double Split, the world’s first double rattrapante chronograph capable of measuring time intervals up to 30 minutes, an extraordinary technical achievement.

Today, A. Lange & Söhne is widely recognized as one of the leaders in haute horlogerie, a term referring to the high art of watchmaking. The brand is known for its intricate and beautiful in-house movements, meticulous handcraftsmanship in every detail, and distinctive German design that blends elegance with function.

To maintain the exclusivity and quality of its products, A. Lange & Söhne produces only a few thousand watches each year, predominantly crafted from gold or platinum. The brand’s philosophy remains rooted in innovation and excellence, as inherited from its founder, Ferdinand Adolph Lange.

Every watch produced today is developed with the aim of enhancing precision, legibility, or ease of operation, reflecting Lange’s pioneering spirit that lives on in every creation.

Here is a table showcasing some iconic A. Lange & Söhne models after its revival:

Model Name	Launch Year	Key Features	Significance
Lange 1	1994	Asymmetrical design, outsize date, in-house movement	Symbol of the brand’s revival
Tourbillon Pour le Mérite	1994	Tourbillon with chain and fusée transmission	Showcased high-level technical expertise
Datograph	1999	Flyback chronograph with precise minute counter	Recognized as one of the finest chronographs
Zeitwerk	2009	Digital time display with jumping numerals	Innovative and unique design
Double Split	2004	Rattrapante chronograph measuring up to 30 mins	Extraordinary technical achievement
Triple Split	2018	Rattrapante chronograph measuring up to 12 hours	Extremely rare and complex complication

Historical Journey of A. Lange & Söhne

The historical journey of A. Lange & Söhne is an extraordinary tale of excellence, resilience, and resurgence. From humble beginnings in the small town of Glashütte, the brand has grown into a global icon in the world of luxury watchmaking. The legacy of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, with his unwavering vision and dedication to perfection, continues to inspire the brand today.

Despite facing numerous historical challenges, including world wars and nationalization, the spirit of innovation and commitment to unparalleled quality has enabled A. Lange & Söhne not only to survive but also to rise again triumphantly under the leadership of Walter Lange.

By continually pushing the boundaries of horology through innovative creations and maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship, A. Lange & Söhne will continue to captivate collectors and watch enthusiasts around the world for generations to come.