From the very beginning, he wanted to craft timepieces of consistently high quality and reliability. Thus, Ferdinand A. Lange introduced the metric system in watchmaking; this change simplified the calculation of movement parts. To craft components with greater accuracy, he fitted the lathes with flywheels instead of the bows that were common-place in those days. And to increase the stability and resilience of watch movements, he invented the three-quarter plate that was to become one of the typical hallmarks of watches made in Glashütte.
After he had trained his apprentices in all basic manufacturing techniques, he encouraged them to specialise in particular technical domains. This is how their individual talents were used to enhance the quality and precision of pocket watches. Several years later, many of them founded their own workshops where pinions, mainspring barrels, or hands were crafted. Eventually, Glashütte became a hub of German precision watchmaking that helped a growing number of people make a decent living.
