The Journées d'Automne is an event organized every year during a week-end which aim is to gather true lovers and owners of classic cars in a relaxed atmosphere. It is not here an event like a Concours d'Elegance in which each participant wants to come with the rarest or the most expensive car. At the Journées d'Automne, we can find very prestigious cars but also more modest ones. Young and experienced collectors. But there is no category: just the pure pleasure to be together to share this passion... and above all, to put these cars in action thanks to rides on the track of the Circuit des Ecuyers.

Thanks to its commitment with classic cars, Lange & Söhne is the main partner of the event. But it is not a classic partnership. This event is also the fav one for Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of the brand. He loves to participate to the event, not as CEO of Lange but as passionate. I can tell you that the smile on his face said a lot!

Please find below a selection of pictures I took during the day I was present.

This stunning MG car belongs to Etienne Malec the founder of Baltic Watches:

A spectacular Ferrari Dino. Thanks to its owner who explained me the story of Dino, the brand and why this one is a Ferrari Dino.

We arrived safe at the Circuit des Ecuyers!

Some very old participants!

The atmosphere on the Circuit des Ecuyers:

Two German beauties:

What a spectacular line-up!

Each driver has his lucky charm!

Beauty from Sweden!

The cars were parked according to their ages:

Of course, we couldn't miss the touch of elegance!

Lange & Söhne is a proud partner of the event!

Once the track was open, the participants had only one idea in their minds: to enjoy some rides on track! I easily understood them!

The Lange & Söhne booth:

Half vehicle, half toy... this car was very surprising. I have no idea of what it is.

A watchmaker was presenting several Lange & Söhne movements:

Me, trying to do an artistic picture:

With the young watchmaker from the manufacture and Cristina, Lange & Söhne Western Europe:

With Lucia, head of Lange Söhne Western Europe:

Some names speak by themselves:

Wilhelm Schmid on the way to start his ride on track with his Porsche:

What a spectacular blue butterfly!

Dreams vs reality:

I think I could shot this car 50 times:

Some participants are back from the ride:

Let's change the watch and enjoy the 1815 Rattrapante PC:

This is really a masterpiece... the only point I don't like is the date display by hand which makes it less readable. I prefer large displays with PC watches. But there is no big date display with a watch from the 1815 collection! It is a rule to be respected!

Ready to drive?

Passion for mechanics:

Let's take advantage of the Saxonia Moonphase:

Time was coming to go to lunch. We changed the location so the driver had to trust my poor co-pilot skills! But we managed to join the next meeting point.

And the next meeting point was the Chateau de Nesles:

I'm not sure to have seen such gathering very often!

The scenery offers the ability to take some very nice pictures.

A face to face between two stars:

Even the oldest cars could make it!

The Porsche gang:

I have the feeling that this picture was taken in England:

The last pictures for me:

I would like to thank a lot the Lange & Söhne team for the invitation and of course the team of the Journées d'Automne for the great organization! It was a beautiful day: the passion for classics fits very well the Lange & Söhne mission statement to offer high end mechanical watches.

Fr.Xavier