Here is why German watch brand A. Lange & Söhne choose Florence the right place to present its Novelty
How come a German watch brand based in Glashütte near Dresden (Saxony) chooses the Tuscany capital Florence to present their novelty? Well first of all, it is not just any novelty – it is the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattranpante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst, a highly fascinating and complex watch that embodies artistic craftsmanship. And “artistic craftmanship” itself explains why Florence was the perfect destination.
Florence, the capital of Tuscany
There is probably no other place in the world where craftsmanship is so deeply rooted in a place’s heritage as Florence. This is something we experienced for ourselves during a time-machine-like journey through the old-fashioned but modern artisanal heart of the scenic city. Incidentally, there are many similarities between Florence and Dresden, but it would take too long to explain here.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattranpante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst
It might sound a little old-fashioned, but it’s worth acknowledging that in this fast-moving and technologically advanced world, true Handwerkskunst (craftsmanship) is becoming increasingly rare across every industry. But is this a problem? Is new technology just a new form of craftsmanship? All technological inventions are based on the knowledge of true craftsmanship, and the computers which replace it can only be built with the knowledge of how things are properly created. In this sense, the heritage of craftsmanship needs to be preserved, as it is the basis for everything that is made today. Secondly, from an economic viewpoint, as time goes on, a handmade product is much more likely to hold its value.
Time-consuming craftsmanship – the dark blue enamel is being applied by hand
A. Lange & Söhne take this very seriously, as we learnt in Florence. During the trip, we were taken on special trips to see the city’s art and culture. We met a vast range of artisanal workers, from shoemakers, hat-makers and jewellers to alchemists, wine growers, and many more.
The winery Antinori (left)
Galleria Romanelli (middle)
The press Il Bisonte (right)
It was particularly interesting to learn of the difficulties their predecessors faced in the year 1300, when press printing was first practiced in Christian Europe. Because the number of letters (they were difficult to make at that time) were limited, they sometimes had to rearrange sentences and paragraphs to be able to print a page of a book, for example. We have to admit, modern technology means that such problems simply no longer exist. But necessity is the mother of inventions.
Letters for printing – they were complex and expensive to make
We also met shoemaker Saskia Wittmer, one of the first women in the generally male-dominated business, who is nowadays considered to be one of the world’s best shoemakers. We also met Albiera from Antinori winery, who has built a remarkable business using most modern technologies and is a brilliant example of how decade-long craftsmanship and the latest technology are the key to producing the highest standard of products.
Shoemaker Saskia Wittmer – one of the best shoemakers in the world
Bringing old and new together
The new A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattranpante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst is another example of artisanal craftsmanship and modern technology. Perpetual calendar mechanisms are among the most sophisticated mechanical ensembles in traditional watchmaking. Besides the Grand Complication inside this masterpiece, the visual parts of this timepiece confronted the finishers, engravers and enamel artists with an exciting challenge: to raise the decorative opulence for which the manufacture is known to the next level, with rare – and in some cases revived – techniques, as well as innovative ideas.
It is the sixth A. Lange & Söhne model with the attribute HANDWERKSKUNST that stands for the particularly artistic decoration of the movement, dial and case
Looking into the details of the watch, every part is beautifully decorated, almost like a piece of art. It is the first model to combine enamel art and engraving on its dial. Solid white gold is the foundation for the deep-blue enamel, beneath which the engraved stars appear to be a visual extension of the moon-phase display.
Like a 3-D painting – the dial made of dark blue enamel white gold
A true highlight of the watch is the hinged ‘cuvette’ on the caseback, which is also made of solid white gold, and is decorated in deep blue enamel. Playing on the moon theme, the goddess Luna – the ancient mythological personification of the moon – is shown on the medallion with her characteristic attributes; a billowing veil, a crescent moon diadem and a torch with which she lights up the darkness.
The goddess Luna is printed on the hinged cuvette that protects the sapphire-crystal caseback
The perpetual calendar mechanism of this limited edition (20 pieces) correctly displays the individual durations of each month in the course of a calendar year, including all leap years until 2100 – a remarkable feat. The moonphase display is calibrated to remain accurate for 122.6 years. A power-reserve indicator reminds the owner when it is time to rewind the watch. The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattranpante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst is indisputably a mechanical masterpiece paired with true craftsmanship.
A famous Italian track near Sant’Agata Bolognese (not far from the Lamborghini headquarter) had been temporarily closed for us to be able to enjoy the adrenaline rush of some Lamborghini super cars (Huracán Performante and Aventador S)! But not enough – the gala dinner afterwards was held right in the middle of the production lines…
Vacheron Constantin Vacheron Constantin's watchmaking expertise is undisputed. The manufacture has been demonstrating this expertise since 1755 – that's right: for 270 years, without interruption. The mastery of masterful complications goes hand in hand with the pursuit of beauty. There is no doubt that many people consider a mechanical movement to be an aesthetic sight in…
Phillips has been a first port of call for auctions of classic wristwatches for the past seven years. This success can clearly be attributed to the work of Aurel Bacs, whose catalogues already set standards during his time at Christie’s. No other individual has had a greater impact on the market over the last 15…
Shortly before his untimely death, pop art icon Andy Warhol created a painting of three timepieces with a rectangle case and a bracelet with horizontal lines on a 111.8 x 111.8 cm canvas. Their colourful outlines diagonally stretch across yellow, mint, black, pink and red areas. The title of the artwork from 1987: Anatom (Rado…
Following the launch of the AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition in 2020, Breitling is now introducing the new Super AVI watch line, a larger version with a case diameter of 46 mm. The five new models pay homage to the most important fighter planes of the 1940s, as well as to the original references from…
On 2 October 2024, what had long been the subject of speculation was finally confirmed: LVMH and Formula 1 officially announced a new partnership. In a year that sees Formula 1 celebrating its 75th anniversary, LVMH gains the opportunity to bring its portfolio of 75 brands into the pinnacle of motorsport – and to grant…
Anyone who is interested in tennis and has ever watched a match by Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal will have noticed something extraordinary: the intimidating brutality inherent in the sportsman's body language, which is expressed through several characteristics; the intense moaning every time he hits a ball, or his aggressive hits, which are so powerful that…
‘Belle Haute Horlogerie’ encapsulates what Vacheron Constantin has stood for ever since its founding in 1755: the pursuit of watchmaking in its highest form and the commitment to continually perpetuate the knowledge and know-how gathered by generations of master watchmakers. In its over 250-year history, Vacheron Constantin has unremittingly created not only fine timepieces, but…
Full disclosure – prior to being invited to the World Surf League’s Tow Surfing Competition in Nazaré, central Portugal, I knew nothing about surfing. Coming from the orange brick suburbs of North London, I’d never really watched surfing out at sea, let alone done it. I certainly hadn’t even heard of tow surfing, which I…
They are probably the only watches that you can buy at a car dealer, and only at a car dealer – the recently launched Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT2 RS and Chronograph911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. The reason is the new ‘Porsche Design for Porsche’ concept which means, that only buyers of the new 911 super sportscars GT2…
It's safe to say that the watch community knows Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak pretty well. From its octagonal bezel, exposed hexagonal screws, and diver's helmet inspiration to the tapisserie dial, we know the design code inside out. Except the latter element is nowhere in sight on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon in…
Since its inception in 1995, Roger Dubuis has been a pioneer in the luxury watchmaking industry, continuously pushing boundaries and redefining standards. Through (almost) it all, the company has been home to Gregory Bruttin, who first came to Roger Dubuis in 2002. We caught up with Bruttin to discuss the significant changes in the company’s…
In light of the release of the OMEGA Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary, it is well worth reliving the story of the tensest space missions in history, in which OMEGA's Speedmaster proved instrumental in providing safety for NASA's Apollo 13 crew. Destined for the moon It was April 11, 1970, when an unprecendented catastrophe…