Silverspeed 10 Posted August 26, 2010 Lange & Söhne watches has a long history. The founder Ferdinand A. Lange was born in Dresden on 18 February 1815. His father was a gunsmith and described as a “man of course characterâ€. After young Lange’s parents separated, he was brought up by an acquainted merchant’s family. His surrogate family enabled him to attend the Technical Institute of Education in Dresden, where he received training at a level then generally reserved for engineers and technicians. While he was studying, Ferdinand A. Lange began an apprenticeship with Gutkaes, the renowned master clockmaker. He quickly recognized 15-year-old Lange’s horological talent and encouraged the young man who had impressed him with his craftsmanship skills, diligence, and intelligence. FERDINAND A. LANGE - THE JOURNEYMAN After having successfully completed his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman and was employed by Europe’s most prominent clock- and watchmakers. His journey- and workbook provides an impressive account of how he broadened his knowledge and is particular proof of the perfectionism with which he conducted his studies. It contains numerous calculations and detailed drawings for the precise manufacture of movement parts. With a host of new ideas, Ferdinand A. Lange finally returned to Gutkaes’ manufactory of astronomical clocks in 1841. Thanks to his profound knowledge, he quickly became a driving force in the business and, after having wed Antonia Gutkaes, a co-owner. A SELFLESS MAN 1843 • In addition to his horological talents, Ferdinand A. Lange distinguished himself as a selfless and compassionate individual. The growing hardship in the Ore Mountains prompted him to give up his privileged position in Dresden to establish a watch manufactory in this region and provide the hunger-stricken people there with wages and bread again. 1845 • Ferdinand Adolph Lange founded the centre for German precision horology in the small town of Glashütte, where he became mayor, and remained for eight years. At the time of his death at the age of sixty, on December 3, 1875, A. Lange & Söhne watches were much coveted, and he left a flourishing business to his sons, Richard and Emil. 1906 • Otto Lange, the son of Emil, joined the family firm with his brothers Rudolf and Gerhard. 1922 • On the death of Emil Lange, his son Otto took the reins of the company, during a very difficult period:, the first signs of the worldwide economic crisis were becoming apparent, and the manufacture of wristwatches was just beginning. 1924 • Birth of Walter Lange, great-grandson of Adolph and son of Rudolf Lange. He went into apprenticeship in his teens at Karlstein and Glashütte to obtain the qualification of master watch craftsman, thus following in the footsteps of his forebears. Called up in 1942, he didn’t return to Glashütte until 1945, at the moment when the Lange workshops were being bombed just before the Armistice. 1948 • A. Lange & Söhne Manufacture was confiscated and expropriated by the Socialist government to be swallowed up into an industrial combine in 1951. Walter Lange fled to the West to escape forced labour. The A. Lange & Söhne Manufacture then plunged into deep sleep. 1990 • As a result of German reunification on December 7, Walter Lange, great-grandson of Adolph Lange, registered the company Lange Uhren GmbH, and the brand A. Lange & Söhne, after more than fifty years of inactivity. The mythical brand was finally reborn, to the joy of watch lovers everywhere. Fourteen years after its resurrection, the German manufacture is still creating real masterpieces, and A. Lange & Söhne watches are still pieces of great quality with an international reputation. A.Lange & Söhne « Datograph » Since 1999 the A. Lange & Söhne’s Datograph is referred to as one of the most cultivated chronographs. The 405 individual parts of the precision-engineered movement interact with peerless choreography behind the sapphire-crystal caseback. Every important function can be observed as it takes place in motion. When launched the Datograph was available only in a platinum version with a black dial. Sometime later a pink-gold model was introduced... The rep version of the Datograph is far from accurate, mainly because of the movement used in the rep, the Seagull ST-19 or Venus 175. The datewindow is far too low and the size of the watch is 42mm where the gen is I think about 38mm. But since I find a well-built rep more important than a 99,99% accurate rep it does not bother me at all. I was looking for a classy watch and something less common, so on PT’s advice I ordered the Rose Gold Datograph. The watch is very well-built with a butter-smooth movement only downside was the as per usual crap rep strap. So I ordered an antique dark brown croc strap to match this classy watch…now enough talk on to the pics… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 62 Posted August 26, 2010 well written review and a very purdy watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skintrade 0 Posted August 26, 2010 Very informative, thanks. The watch is superb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ska 11 Posted August 26, 2010 Gorgeous photos mate!! Truly beautiful, and you show the watch at its absolute best Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AustinTech 0 Posted August 26, 2010 Oooo-weeee! That watch makes my nipples tingle! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GC 5,338 Posted August 27, 2010 With a name like Silverspeed, you sure do own a lot of Gold watches... and this one is truly STUNNING!!! Gotta luv the ST-19, beautiful dial & superb wrist presence! I'm jealous! In a good way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alistairw 0 Posted August 27, 2010 :P Absolutely beautiful, no other words can describe it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverspeed 10 Posted August 27, 2010 With a name like Silverspeed, you sure do own a lot of Gold watches... and this one is truly STUNNING!!! Gotta luv the ST-19, beautiful dial & superb wrist presence! I'm jealous! In a good way. :P not that many actually..3 I think, if it becomes more I can always ask for my name to be changed.... The ST-19 is a very nice movement...and butter-smooth to wind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
graman 2 Posted August 27, 2010 I've always loved this watch, and now there's a decent rep! SS, you've done a fantastic review! This is on my short list! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverspeed 10 Posted August 28, 2010 Updated pic (slightly better) in natural daylight...and just for the hell of it...'cause it's such a pretty watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edil 28 Posted September 19, 2010 (edited) Definitely one of the best looking watches http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iCSzatLsQQ Edited September 19, 2010 by edil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ImWatchingYOU 0 Posted October 1, 2010 Strange, but when looking at eBay and gens, the size is also stated as 42mm ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
argento 0 Posted January 22, 2011 nice watch but what bothers me with the a.Lange replicas are the date fonts. All the replicas have the tiny numbers while the genuine ones have the big numbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chum_2000_uk 0 Posted January 22, 2011 Thanks for the pics of the watch, and a great insight into the company - it's one of the many watch companies I knew absolutely nothing about so it was a very interesting read Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarkGlass 90 Posted January 22, 2011 Absolutely cracking and who's gonna get close enough to see the date font ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan123 0 Posted January 22, 2011 REALLY LOVE THIS WATCH!!!!!! Who did you get it from ???? who does a good rep if its no longer available??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aren 27 Posted January 22, 2011 Great photos, review and history Silverspeed. You always have spectacular watches. This is a beautiful watch. It is no secret that I really like the Rose Gold and it is gorgeous on this beauty. Stunning photos and clear, close up detail. I broke down and ordered an A&S last week. So, I read the history with interest. Very timely for me. The A&S was on my wish list with a FM, a PP and VC. I opted for the A&S because I wanted to stay with PWC. I hope to get the FM I like in the next few months. I am glad this post got bumped because I didn't know much about A&S. I knew only that I liked them. I hope you will write a follow up on your original review SS. I would like to know how you like it after owning it for a while, and how it's performance has held up over the past 5 months. I thought this was an A7750 movement? All the Best and TIA, Aren Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverspeed 10 Posted January 23, 2011 I hope you will write a follow up on your original review SS.I would like to know how you like it after owning it for a while, and how it's performance has held up over the past 5 months. I thought this was an A7750 movement? All the Best and TIA, Aren Thanks for the kind words Aren.... The ST19 movement runs great, very accurate and good power reserve. It winds much smoother than a 6497. I still like it a lot....although I don't wear it very often Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gran 247 Posted March 10, 2011 Certainly a very good looking watch Silverspeed I guess even the ones that own the genuine do not wear theirs very often Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fongpi 0 Posted December 15, 2011 Silverspeed Goldie: I need that watch! How much was it? Where can I get one from? W Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
964boy 54 Posted January 6, 2012 Got a silver one a few month's back and like you would like to change the strap to a classy black one. Have searched trusted dealers but can't fine anything suitable. Could yo please recommend a supplier. Your revue and pics are great. Will have to learn how to take decent pics and start posting. Newbie with a couple of purchases so far, this one plus ultimate tt blue sub and two orders in had with REG, MBK Nautilus and tt Navitimer. The fetish has taken hold. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverspeed 10 Posted January 7, 2012 Got a silver one a few month's back and like you would like to change the strap to a classy black one. Have searched trusted dealers but can't fine anything suitable. Could yo please recommend a supplier. The A.Lange&Sohne deserves a better strap then the roadkill strap fitted. In general, for better straps you'll have to look elsewhere then our trusted dealers. A quick search on the interner for alligator or other leather straps should give you numerous possibilities. A good place to start in the EU is watchbandcenter.com for reasonable priced straps. If memory serves me correct the lugsize for the Datograph is 19mm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
964boy 54 Posted January 7, 2012 Silverspeed, thanks for the info. Will have a search and see what I can find. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
