Lange watches are made from several hundred individual components, which are lovingly processed and then assembled by hand. When producing these individual components, we ensure that the raw materials used comply with international regulations. We believe our watches can last many years, as long as they are cared for. In a Lange watch, we only use components which we guarantee can be newly produced in the long term.
Careful use of resources
We have set ourselves the aim of continually reducing our energy consumption and optimising our energy footprint. This includes the careful use of natural resources such as paper, responsible waste management and the recycling of general and raw materials. We also favour working with regional service providers.
In 2015, A. Lange & Söhne opened a new manufacturing building. A geothermal heat pump is used for heating, cooling, and hot water to reduce the manufacture's environmental impact. The use of geothermal energy and renewable electricity to power the heat pumps allows us to reduce our carbon footprint. The geothermal system that has been installed to this end is the largest in the Free State of Saxony to date.
Responsible jewellery council
The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is an international non-profit organisation which brings together representatives of the watch and jewellery industry from all over the world who undertake to observe strict requirements along their entire value chain. These regulations not only apply to the social, ethical and environmental aspects of our business practices, but also set strong standards for safeguarding human rights.
As an officially certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, we work to promote best practices across our full supply chain to ensure that our precious metals and jewels are responsibly sourced. Long-standing partnerships and meticulous evidence on all invoices from our suppliers make sure that the raw materials (diamonds, gold and platinum) used for our watches come from legitimate sources. The quality of our diamonds is consistently tested and certified by an independent laboratory.
Please find further information about this topic here and download the Supply Chain Policy.
Information on materials used
FINENESS
In the carat system, the quality – or fineness – of precious metals is expressed in carat (karat is the preferred spelling in the USA). The European system, based on one thousand weight units, is also commonplace. The two systems correlate as follows: 18-carat gold is equivalent to 750/000 gold, 21-carat gold is equivalent to 875/000 gold, platinum is equivalent to 950/000 platinum and silver is equivalent to 925/000 silver.
There is a simple technical reason for the absence of pure gold, pure platinum or pure silver in horology: both metals are too “soft” for the production of watch and movement components. Gold and platinum are alloyed with other metals to significantly increase their hardness. The different hues of pink, white and honey gold are also achieved by alloying.
BEARING JEWELS
The reference to “Rubine” on the plates of Lange movements applies to friction-reducing, wear-resistant functional jewels consisting of synthetically produced ruby for bearings, switching and detent elements and the escapement. Because of the greater homogeneity of the crystalline structure as opposed to natural ruby with otherwise virtually identical physical and chemical properties, the use of synthetic ruby is very commonplace in watchmaking today. The English equivalent of the German term “Rubine” is jewels.
DIAMONDS
At A. Lange & Söhne, we have subjected all our purchases of diamonds to the System of Warranties since the scheme was introduced in January 2003. We request a Statement of Warranty to be formalised on every diamond-related invoice we receive. Lange engages in long-term relationships with suppliers who share our values.
ALLIGATOR LEATHER
As a long-standing member of the International Reptile Leather Association, A. Lange & Söhne rigorously abides by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The alligator leather used for our straps is sourced exclusively from alligator farms in the USA. Here, alligators are kept in a species-appropriate manner in accordance with legal regulations. Trade is also subject to strict state controls. The species protection tag attached to the alligator leather strap of a new Lange watch bears a registration number that is checked by customs officials when imported; it allows complete tracking to the manufacturer.
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