Our history is inextricably linked with the Saxon Court, where only the best was good enough. This ambitious environment and its patronage sustainably promoted art and science in Saxony – and in the course of this also the development of watchmaking.
This also benefited the young Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who, at only 15 years of age, was apprenticed to the watchmaker Johann Friedrich Gutkaes, who was known far beyond Saxony's borders. Together they developed the Five-Minute Clock for the Semperoper in Dresden. After completing his apprenticeship and travelling through France, England and Switzerland, Ferdinand Adolph Lange was drawn back to Saxony, where he brought the knowledge he gained to a manufacture in Glashütte.
The pursuit of perfection begins here, as he set out to build watches that are among the best in the world. It wasn't long before his efforts were recognised internationally and his pocket watches were presented as exquisite gifts by heads of state.
Richard Lange, one of Ferdinand Adolph Lange's sons, continued to develop fine watchmaking. Through scientific research and improvements, he has contributed to 27 patents. Some of these are still used in mechanical watches today. Emil Lange, another of Ferdinand's sons, not only achieved world fame for his “Century Tourbillon” presented at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, but also received the Knight's Cross of the French Legion of Honour.
After the Second World War, the manufacture was forcibly nationalised and A. Lange & Söhne became a legend. But in 1990, Walter Lange seized the opportunity to take up his family's legacy, which was thought to have been lost, and re-founded the A. Lange & Söhne brand – exactly 145 years after Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the foundations for German fine watchmaking.
The presentation of the first collection followed four years later, which, thanks to the vision of Walter Lange and Günter Blümlein, took A. Lange & Söhne to the top of the watchmaking world. Rising from nothing, our manufacture continues the tradition and builds watches that are among the best in the world.
A. Lange & Söhne is reborn
Richard and Emil Lange – rise and global renown
Ferdinand Adolph Lange early years
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Whether you are in search of a specific model, have questions out of interest or need a service request for your timepiece – we are delighted to help you. We are at your service by phone, email or in one of our boutiques.
