Commitment with tradition
A commitment to social responsibility is firmly anchored in our company history. In addition to training and support for his employees, Ferdinand Adolph Lange himself was also committed to activities within the scope of social and corporate responsibility. As volunteer mayor of the town of Glashütte and later as a member of Saxony’s state parliament, he had roads and bridges built and wells dug, and he supported the construction of a railway line to the then remote valley of the Müglitz river. His son Emil established a foundation to provide pensions for former employees. And Emil’s sons in turn also made a name for themselves with their social commitment, such as their endeavour to procure affordable homes for employees.
In 1990, Walter Lange followed in his great-grandfather’s footsteps: social and societal commitment were key aspects of doing business for him, too. As the town’s biggest employer, we are committed to working regionally and nationally in the spirit of the Lange family to promote the skilled trade through watchmaking qualifications and master training. Careful use of natural resources and responsible production is another aspect of our working environment. We also support non-profit projects through donations and partnerships.
Investment in the future: The Walter Lange watchmaking excellence award
To develop the great art of fine watchmaking through curiosity and enthusiasm: that is the aim of our Walter Lange Watchmaking Excellence Award. In an initial project week, we impart Lange’s understanding of watchmaking to talented young trainees from all over the world. The selected participants, who were nominated by their schools, will then be able to put what they have learned into practice as part of a project within six months. The competition prize money is €10,000. In this way, we deepen our strong relationships with the international watchmaking schools who produce the participants and support young talent at the same time
Preserving the culture of Saxony
As a tradition-steeped brand with its historic roots in Saxony, A. Lange & Söhne assumes responsibility for maintaining the cultural heritage of our home.
The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (The Dresden State Art Collections)
We have supported the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and their realisation of demanding exhibition and research projects since 2006. The Mathematisch-Physikalische Salon (cabinet of mathematical and physical instruments) with its outstanding collection of technical instruments and watches also forms part of the important museum association.
The Semperoper in Dresden
In 1841, Johann C. F. Gutkaes completed the Fünf-Minuten-Uhr (five-minute clock) on the Dresden Semperoper with the assistance of his journeyman Ferdinand Adolph Lange. It continues to reliably display the time to the audience, even during the show, to this day. Its characteristic indication inspired the watchmakers from A. Lange & Söhne to design the outsize-date display now typical of Lange. Our long-standing partnership with the opera house highlights this historic connection.
Donations to aid organisations
We support organizations and associations which support disadvantaged children and young people in particular, including the Albert-Schweitzer-Kinderdorf in Sachsen e. V., a non-profit organisation that gives children a new home, Sonnenstrahl e. V. Dresden, which supports children with cancer and their families, and the Geneva-based organization Children Action, which helps young patients get the urgent operations they need to make their lives better.
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