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…
Why do mechanical timepieces captivate so many people? The Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 2024, a particularly exclusive collection of unique wristwatches, pocket watches and table clocks, undoubtedly answers this question. The boundary-pushing line is undoubtedly at the forefront of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Each incredibly high-quality timepiece embodies all that makes watches so exciting: craftsmanship…
At first glance, one could almost forget that this new Breguet model—limited to just 250 pieces—is a precision timekeeping instrument, despite the fact that much of its intricate mechanism remains visible even while worn on the wrist. The Breguet Tradition 7035 stands as a symbol of 250 years of aesthetic refinement and innovation. Today, Abraham-Louis…
At Watches & Wonders 2022, Swisswatches caught up with Piaget CEO Benjamin Comar to discuss all things Piaget – from ultra-thin watches to the gender-specific watch debate, to what he describes as his ‘COVID-19 babies’. During your childhood, it is likely that at some point you attended a funfair or circus. In doing so, you…
This year, 188-year-old Jaeger-LeCoultre is celebrating 90 years of its most iconic model, the Reverso. We want to take you on a journey to discover the watch's fascinating history, before introducing you to the bold and beautiful new watches themselves. Given the bright colour schemes, we'll also give tips on how to style these unusual…
The Wempe branch on Munich’s Weinstrasse has been an integral part of the city for half a century, and has been managed by Marc Autmaring since 2009. Over the past 14 years, the engaging and determined manager has succeeded in further developing the location, tapping into new target groups and promoting close cooperation with renowned…
TUDOR is introducing an array of novelties at this year's Watches & Wonders. One very important piece is an outgoing watch christened the Black Bay Pro. Other new models come in the form of a bicolour Black Bay GMT and Black Bay Chrono with new colour schemes, as well as Black Bay S&G watches with…
Vacheron Constantin stages eternity – and a tourbillon – for its anniversary For 270 years, Vacheron Constantin has been striving to capture time with measuring instruments that are as technically as they are aesthetically sophisticated. This is reflected in the anniversary creations such as the three models of the Traditionnelle Open Face Anniversary Edition. Of course, the…
From complicated Chinese calendars and ground-breaking diver's watches to serene Villeret moonphase models, Blancpain has long been a master of not only horological finesse, but also design. Now, the brand is opening a new chapter with the introduction of three new Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune variations, alongside additions to its three-hand…
Popping pastels and vacation vibes; Breitling's new SuperOcean Heritage ’57 Pastel Paradise Capsule Collection for women actually stems from a 1950s diver's watch for men. Now, however, it has transformed into a high quality, incredibly fashionable new timepiece. With the introduction of this series, Breitling is proving itself to be truly with the times, not to…
At Watches and Wonders 2025, Tudor is turning a new page – while remaining true to its proven strengths. Among this year’s novelties are the Pelagos Ultra, offering an impressive water resistance of 1,000 metres; the Black Bay 68 – an entirely new model with a 43-millimetre case; and an updated version of the Black…
The Dragon is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of animals appearing in the Chinese calendar’s zodiac. It’s an important one, too. The Year of the Dragon is largely seen as one of the most powerful, lucky years in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising strength, fortune and success. From Shanghai to London’s Chinatown, people around the world recently…
How a Rolex, Zenith and Ressence proved to be the right watches for braving the eternal ice. Our author was faced with this question: Which timepieces to take to an Antarctic journey? ‘There is no law south of the 50th latitude – and there is no god south of the 60th latitude’, seafarers used to…