What started as a family operation has now become one of the greatest watchmaking companies in the world. Unfortunate circumstance lead to an amazing opportunity for founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who started his watchmaking apprenticeship at 15. In over 170 years, A. Lange & Sohne has celebrated successes and suffered losses, but today the company is stronger than ever. Keep reading to learn more about the German watchmaker’s history.
Born in Dresden in 1815 Ferdinand Adolph Lange had a difficult childhood eventually leading to a life under the care of foster parents. Though he was young, his intelligence did not go unrecognized and his foster parents found him an apprenticeship at the age of 15 under Saxony’s best clockmaker, Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes. However, Lange and learned that innovation in watchmaking was really happening in England and France.
After studying French and English, Lange moved to Paris to study under Josef Thaddaus Winnerl, a previous student of Abraham-Louis Breguet. After three years abroad, Lange returned to Dresden, married his former apprentice’s daughter. In 1842, he joined his new father-in-law as an integral member of the workshop. In 1845, Lange founded his first watch company, which called a manufactory, in Glashütte, Germany.
At the time, Glashutte was suffering after the depletion of silver mines in the area. Lange founded his company in the impoverished area, providing education and work to 15 watchmakers, and eventually employed many more. Lange even served 18 years as Mayor of the small town. Now, Glashutte is the watch capital of Germany and the headquarters of A. Lange & Sohne.
Lange had two sons, Emil and Richard, whom he taught the trade. Upon Lange’s early death in 1875 at the age of 60, the two sons took over their father’s legacy, growing the watchmaking company further. During this time, Germany was enjoying economic prosperity and A. Lange & Sohne benefited from the demand for decorative, high-end pocket watches for decades.
However, this success would eventually curtail after the onset of the first World War. Though the company persisted, creating large wristwatches for the military. Following the war, Emil’s three sons led the company during a tumultuous time. The great grandson of Adolph, Walter, was studying watchmaking to carry on the family tradition until he was drafted during WWII. After being injured, Walter returned to Glashutte in time to witness the tragic bombing of nearby Dresden.
After the German defeat in WWII, East Germany, where Dresden and Glashutte were located, was occupied by the Communist regime of the USSR. A. Lange & Sohne was expropriated and Walter fled to the West to excape a life of hardship in the East. In 1989, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Gernmany, Walter finally returned to Glashutte to rebuild his family legacy. On December 7th, 1990, exactly 145 years after A. Lange & Sohne was founded, once again.
After losing 50 years, A. Lange & Sohne had much to learn about the watchmaking business, but this was a challenge won. Today, the watchmaker is one of the most prestigious in the world, producing some of the finest and most complicated wristwatches, honoring traditional values while embracing innovation.
Photo Credit: revolution.watch / watchthismagazine.com / masterhorologer.com / hausmann-co.com / alange-soehne.com