The History of A. Lange & Söhne Part 5

Part. 5 – The Collections

In Part 4 of multi-part series on the history of A. Lange & Söhne, we turned the spotlight on the Lange 1. Without doubt one of the most significant models in the German watch manufacturer’s modern history. But this was just the starting point. Since then – much to the delight of watch lovers everywhere – the A. Lange & Söhne family has grown to encompass five incredible collections. Below we provide a brief overview of each.

1815 COLLECTION

The 1815 collection takes its name from the birth year of the company’s founding father, Ferdinand A. Lange. (You can learn more about his legacy in Part. 1 of our series.) References in this collection combine the traditional style elements of classic watchmaking – Arabic numerals, blued steel hands and the railway-track minute scale – with contemporary execution. The result is a series of timepieces that align horological traditions with the expectations of modern watch connoisseurs. View the 1815 Collection here.

LANGE 1 COLLECTION

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the Lange 1 collection to A. Lange & Söhne. So much so that we dedicated an entire separate article to exploring this model. (You can read it here.) Quite simply put, this is the watch that brought the brand back to life. Unveiled in 1994, it has become the most iconic, legendary and prized, design of A. Lange & Söhne. Lauded for its off-centre, non-overlapping dial, outsize date and UP/DOWN indicators, every true Lange aficionado should have at least one in their collection. View the Lange 1 Collection here.

RICHARD LANGE COLLECTION

If you have been following along with our series on the history of A. Lange & Söhne, you will already be familiar with the name Richard Lange. If you need a quick refresher though, you can read all about him here. As the son of founder Ferdinand A. Lange, Richard played an outsized role in the company’s development of scientific observation watches in the late 19th & early 20th centuries. The watches in this collection very much celebrate that fact. Every facet of their design is determined by the twin objectives of superior precision and supreme legibility, and generally incorporate Roman hour numerals on the dial. View the Richard Lange Collection here.

SAXONIA COLLECTION

The Saxonia Collection pays tribute to the history of perfection, the arts, science and inventiveness pursued by the state of Saxony. A beacon for technical progress within Germany, it was the logical place for Ferdinand A. Lange to establish his pioneering company. Imbued with his relentless pursuit of mechanical ingenuity, the models of this watch family are characterised by simplicity, symmetry, and meticulous attention to detail. Their minimalist designs often belying their incredible mechanical complexity. View the Saxonia Collection here.

ZEITWERK COLLECTION

The Zeitwerk is A. Lange & Söhne’s most distinctive, and recognisable collection, extolled for its precisely jumping digital hour and minutes displays. Demonstrating the brand’s unique approach to watchmaking, its intelligent design and construction overcomes a number of the historical technical challenges inherent in creating a functional and reliable digital mechanical watch. Incorporating a jumping numerals mechanism consisting of three discs – a world first – this groundbreaking concept has received multiple awards. It’s no exaggeration to say the Zeitwerk is one of the most advanced watches of the contemporary era. View the Zeitwerk Collection here.

It’s been just 25 years since A. Lange & Söhne presented its first four watches to the market. A mere blink of the eye in an industry where history actually means something. Yet, the incredible story of this German watch manufacturer has been centuries in the making. It is one of hope, resilience and innovation. Underpinned by the uncompromising desire to achieve perfection in all aspects of traditional watchmaking.

Understanding the history and legacy of A. Lange & Söhne is the key to understanding and appreciating what makes this brand so exceptional. As the only authorized retailer in Australia, we feel it is our privilege but also our obligation to share this fascinating story with you. Which is why we have created a special series of articles covering the origins of the brand; from its original founding in the 1840s all the way up to significant milestones in the present era. 

It’s a fascinating journey and one well worth your time reading, even if you have just a passing interest in the brand.

Part 1 – The Founder

Part 2 – The Brothers

Part 3 – The Great Revival

Part 4 – The Lange 1

As always, if you have any questions at all or would like to learn more about A. Lange & Söhne and the incredible timepieces they create, please do not hesitate to visit or contact one of our boutiques.