Lange & Sohne in Sketches

Manufacture Lange & Sohne makes some very iconic timepieces and following my other post featuring The Antiqua Perpetual Calendar in sketches, I am featuring some timepieces from AL&S.

Perhaps one of the most recognised and iconic is the Lange 1.

And the super-sized Lange 1 Tourbillon.

And who can resist the 1815 Chronograph?

And the first generation 1815 chronograph.

Featured here is the dial of the older 1815 Chronograph.

And now for the drool-worthy movement of the 1815 chronograph. Look at the column wheel on the right. And such an intricate construction.

And I wonder during the pre-photograph days if the pocket watch would look something like this...

And the movement of the Lange Pocket Watch. Check out that post.

More sketches to come.

Evolution of the Three Quarter Plate - Ferdinand Adolph Lange's Legacy

We all know Ferdinand Adolph Lange developed the signature three quarter plate which is characteristic of most of their timepieces. But how many of us have the opportunity to learn the history of the three quarter plate?

The good people of Lange & Sohne invited us for an event at their boutique at Ion Orchard. Presenting the session was Miss Joanna Lange, Technical & Sales Trainer at Lange, Chris Leung from Lange Hong Kong and Miss Michelle Chen, Head of Lange Singapore.

Joanna brought us through the evolution of the three quarter plate, explaining firstly that the four examples that they brought in to Singapore is the first time these four pocket watches have been taken out from the Lange Museum in Glashutte. The first pocket watches were made by Gutkaes and Lange - Gutkaes being the master of Ferdinand Adolph Lange. Between 1845 to 1855, all pocket watches came with what they classified as triangular plates.

The movement is housed on a double hunter case. This example from the museum is unsigned but the movement shows that this is number 1164 and dated around 1853.

The watch is a chronometer as indicated on the first case back.

And on the outer case back is a hand engraved motif.

The front dial is enamel but no signature - just a plain dial.

After the triangular plate, Ferdinand Adolph Lange developed the half plate which he found to be more stable than the triangular plate. Unfortunately, they did not have an example with them. But I was informed by Joanna that the half plate were for watches made between 1855 to 1860. Then came the two thirds plate.

The two thirds plate was used for pocket watches between 1860 through 1863. A beautiful two thirds plate movement is signed Adolph Lange Dresden. And a beautifully engraved balance cock too.

This example also has the enamel dial signed A. Lange Dresden. This piece is dated 1860 with number 5389. Also double hunter case. A pristine example here.

Then came the three quarter plate as we are so familiar today was used in pocket watches from 1864 onwards.

The above example is signed Adolph Lange, Dresden and dated around 1864 and numbered 6199.

The double hunter case of the pink gold pocket watch. Well decorated and beautifully engraved.

And the engraved case back.

And a wonderful enamel dial to show for in this example.

Then there was another example of the three quarter plate dated 1884 and numbered 18061.

Unfortunately, they could not open the case back. So here is the engraved back.

Many thanks to the folks at Lange & Sohne for a wonderfully educational evening. It also gives me a different perspective on the piece I own. Here's my blog on my Lange pocket watch. I would also like to thank Manfred in Lange Hong Kong who advised me on the purchase. All photos taken by iPhone.

Feature of the Month - Lange Pocket Watch

It pays to know people and definitely pays to have luck on your side too. Such is the case on how I came across this gem of a pocket watch.

I was in Hong Kong and chanced upon an old shop selling vintage timepieces and when I visited the shop and saw a Lange enamel dial sitting in the showcase. I asked the proprietor who told me he was restoring the pocket watch. I took his card and that was that. Some time later, I was still thinking of the pocket watch and wrote to him and he sent me the pictures of the finished item. What a beauty!

I sent the images to Manfred Weber of Lange and he told me it looked authentic - good enough for me! So I called my friend George in HKG who promptly picked it up for me and passed it to Stefan who brought it back to Singapore for me. Friends indeed!

What a find! A beautiful double hunter case pocket watch dating back to 1908!

The condition was pristine when I received it. A rose gold case that was restored.

In this example, the enamel dial is flawless.

And the hands are gorgeous!

And as I have mentioned, it comes with a double hunter case. Polished to an excellent shine and the case shows the number and the matching movement too.

The movement shows the movement number matching the case. As I understand it, this is not the highest grade movement of the times.

And the close up of the balance wheel and the swan neck adjustment.

Another look at the movement

Another look at the pocket watch.

I have been searching for a second piece with the same finishing or for that matter something close. No luck. I guess all owners of the Lange pocket watches are so happy with theirs that they prefer to keep them. And the search continues...

Mr. Range - Story of The Singapore Lange Connoisseurs Lunch

The Singapore Lange Connoisseurs Lunch was hosted by Michelle and her dedicated team from Lange Singapore. And the lunch was hosted at Yakitori Enmaru at Ion.

Like they say, some things are lost in translation. For example the name… Mr. Lange became Mr. Range.

I thought it was cute so I took a wrist shot of my companions… venture a guess whose wrists/watches these are?

And then my Range 1 on a Lange stand...

Seated beside me is the owners of a Rose Gold Black Dial Datograph. My preferred combination for the Datograph. Some call it the Dufour Datograph or the Dufourgraph. I absolutely love this watch. Just waiting for the right time when it is available and at the right price. Although it is not a Limited Edition piece, the RGBD version is rather rare.

And perhaps the oldest Lange at the gathering that afternoon. A Lange pocket watch with an enamel dial. Serial number has it dated back to 1908.

And before I forget why we were there, here is the food! Peter ordered the Chirashi sushi.

Larry had the ginger pork.

Terence had the beef. Understand the beef is tender and well cooked.

Kee Siew and I had the yakitori. Good stuff since this is after all a Yakitori restaurant.

And the band of brothers! Chap kor anyone?

Brothers in arms. I love the 1815 - slim and elegant.

And before we knew it, lunch was over and we headed down to the Ion Boutique. Couldn't resist so I asked for all the brothers to lay down their watches…a million dollar tray.

A different look at the watches on display.

A trio of Datograph - how often you see so many versions of the Datograph. For a moment, we had more variety than the boutique.

And the highlight of the tray must be the Lange 1 Tourbillon. One can only dream of owning such a rare beauty. So I admire only...

Many thanks again to the team from A. Lange & Sohne. Hope we can do another one real soon. In the meantime, I continue to dream about the Lange 1 Tourbillon and search for the RGBD Datograph.

Lange Pocket Watch - A 1908 Gem

The things one find in a hidden store somewhere in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong. I like walking into these small shops not expecting anything but coming out impressed by what you find. Such is the story of my Lange pocket watch.

I was waiting for a friend to pick me up at the Hotel Nikko along Mody Road and I thought since I had another half an hour that I would walk into one of the shopping centers to explore. Perched on the 2nd floor and one corner of the shopping centre (can't remember the name) was this shop displaying several vintage watches. The owner saw me standing at the window display and buzzed me in. What first caught my eyes was a fully dis-assembled Lange & Sohne pocket watch movement.

Pristine condition and definitely well kept. Wilson, the shop owner told me the case was sent for polishing. I expressed my interest and left my contact. A few weeks later as promised, Wilson sent me an email and told me the pocket watch was ready and that he wanted to sell it. I sought the advice of Manfred in AL&S HK and he told me it looked authentic - good enough for me. So I bought it!

I had a friend Stefan pick it up and he brought it back for me. And wow! What a beauty! The enamel dial is in pristine condition. The Louis-XV hands are also in good condition.

The case as Wilson had explained was well restored and polished to the point of brand new. The rose gold case was restored to its former glory. Unblemished and without engraving. Its a double hunter case.

And the movement, well it is in great condition. The movement measures 41mm and is what they consider a "flat design".

I had sent the pictures to the Lange Manufactory and applied for its archive papers. Based on the serial number, Lange says the watch was sold to a company (presumably retailer) in Frankfurt in 1908. Certificate says it is a Calibre 41 movement & the manufacturer is A. Lange & Sohne, Glashutte.

Thanks to my good friend Prof Harry Tan for for this image.

So the next time you have time on your hands, take a walk into one of those old shopping centers in Hong kong. You may not know what you will find.