Exemplifying German Watchmaking: Precision in Mechanism and Design

Ferdinand Adolph Lange, the founder of A. Lange & Söhne, renowned for its artistic watchmaking, and a former court watchmaker to the Kingdom of Saxony, was born in 1815. This year marks exactly two centuries since that pivotal moment, the beginning of an era of profound change that shaped modern Europe.

Throughout 2015, A. Lange & Söhne has released several models commemorating the bicentennial of its founder's birth. As the year draws to a close, the brand has unveiled a symbolic timepiece to mark the occasion.

This is the "1815 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst."

The "1815" collection, named after the founder's birth year, features sophisticated timepieces. "Handwerkskunst," a German term, translates to "craftsmanship," embodying the soul and skill of artisans dedicated to their craft. This designation has previously been applied to four other watches, each a rare, special limited edition distinguished by exceptional finishing.

This particular watch is also a limited edition, with only 30 pieces available worldwide. It features a tourbillon, a stop-seconds mechanism that halts the carriage's movement for precise time setting, and a zero-reset function that returns the carriage, which also serves as the seconds hand, to the zero position. Both are exceptionally challenging complications to integrate into a tourbillon, underscoring the high level of development and manufacturing expertise involved.

Viewed through the sapphire crystal case back, the movement reveals a meticulously decorated German silver main plate, adorned with a granular finish. Blue screws, gold chatons, and ruby endshakes add vibrant accents. Each bridge's edge is chamfered by hand, its smoothness a testament to the artisan's dedication and skill. Notably, the seconds wheel bridge is set with a diamond, and the bridge itself features intricate engraving.

This aesthetic refinement extends to the exterior, most strikingly on the dial. Crafted from 18K pink gold, the dial is finished with a sophisticated black rhodium plating. Hand engraving brings the indices and brand logo into relief, creating a subtle raised effect. The entire surface is further embellished with "tremblage," a delicate granular pattern achieved through meticulous handwork with sharp tools, resulting in a finish that commands admiration for its precision.

In the era when the founder lived, watches were crafted entirely by hand. This model, seemingly resurrecting timepieces from that bygone age, is aptly named "Handwerkskunst" and serves as a fitting culmination to this memorial year.