Walter Lange had a passion for watchmaking that love came from his great-grandfather, and the company he built near Glashutte. He grew up watching the manufacturing and learning from his grandfather working on timepieces that bore the family name. Then he watched in horror as the East German government seized the company and ruined what his ancestors had created. Walter fled to the west and held his passion in his heart. In 1989 he returned to rescue the family business, waiting until the Berlin Wall came down. Then in 1994, the first A. Lange & Sohne revival collection was presented. Four watches introduced new movements and showcased technical innovation that proved quality and excellence were back in the brand that his family created. He remained active in the business until his death but had one final wish that he didn’t live to see happen, he wanted to see the company produce an independent jumping seconds complication, a favorite of his, and one that had been in pocket watches back in the 19th century.
About a year after his death A. Lange & Sohne manufactured that timepiece. Named the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” the timepiece took it’s place in the collection. Similar to others in the collection, the watch measures 40.5mm in diameter and 10.7mm high, but unlike all the others the timepiece features a stoppable jumping seconds mechanism that was available because of a new calibre. This chronograph ancestor equipped with the independent seconds complication can time short intervals and measure things, such as one’s heart rate. Timing longer intervals was more complex and one of the main reasons the modern chronograph replaced it.
This timepiece is designed with a traditional rail-way minute scale, featuring the subsidiary small seconds sitting at 6 o’clock. The exquisite piece will be done in gold, with silver dials, and they are also developing a special timepiece in steel. The three limited edition pieces will be done in white gold, pink gold and yellow gold. The calibre L1924, new and innovative is very typical of the brand, both in style and finish. Elegantly designed with three-quarter plate architecture, wide stripes, hand engraved balance cock, and chamfered bridges, and named for the year Lange was born.
These timepieces are such a tribute to the family and history of horological excellence. The stainless steel piece is quite a unique work, as A. Lange and Sohne rarely use the metal for cases, and it also is crafted with a black enamel dial, applied numerals, and polished steel hands. The last part of the special piece is that it has engraving at the back that reads “Unique Piece” at the top. Having this memory of Walter is truly special, but knowing all proceeds from the sales are donated to a Swiss charitable foundation for Children makes it perfect.
