Manufacture
Berceuse shares a captivating photo essay from the A. Lange & Söhne Akademie in Chiang Mai, offering readers an intimate look into a high-end watchmaking experience. The report highlights the brand's dedication to craftsmanship and community, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Four Seasons Resort.
Thanks a lot to the Brand Director of China, Mr. Zhou, and the beauty Nana Li, who invited me to join the Akademie held in Chiang Mai last week, from 20th to 23rd. It was great honour and pleasure for a Lange lover to experience the art of high end watchmaking.
You can sense the excitement of meeting old friends from different areas. 3 of us discussed what we should take with us for taking interesting photos, and we came to the conclusion that Teddy bear is a must.
Departing from Hong Kong
Catching the plan in Beijing
Departing from Shanghai
I don't need border to say how beautiful it is of Four Season Resort Chiang Mai. With the picturesque scenery, there is no reason that we don’t capture some Lange watches in the frame. Got up before sunrise, to catch the mysterious light, nobody would deny that datograph is a true beauty. There used to be datograph gathering, with PT, RG and YG, but it’s a pleasure to handle all of them in my own hands and take photos in the way I like. The YG dato insisted to keep Beijing time, which is one hour ahead than the other two.
BeautiesIn the morning light
During breakfast, we say another datograph in PT. There is no way that we'll miss the opportunity to take the shot.
We even tried to play around with the Dufour Dato in the swimming pool, I guess the owner must be terrified, as I was. Can’t imagine what would happen if the beauty lost her balance and take the watch for a real bath. But how can we miss the opportunity to scare our friend? The watch always seemed to be in danger, hah~~ By the way, my Saxonia also joined the party.
Before playing around the Dufour Dato
Do not drop it, do not slip...
My heart beats this time!
On the way to Akademie
We played too hard in the morning, and we decided to work even harder in the Akademie, so we did not take camera, which has been proven to be a big mistake. And I can’t believe that the same mistake happened again in the following day!
There is always water...
Outside the classroom
Peter Lippsch, the mater engraver showed us how to work on the decoration with the unique technique called Tremblage. From the word itself, we can see how much important it is to vibrate our hands. Peter said the tools that he prepared for us is 3 times the size of the one that he uses for a real product. It takes 2~3 days for the master to finish one dial, such as the one on the handcrafted 1815 tourbillon. While the time that I have for the class is less than 1 hour, because I went back to pick up my watch to ask Peter to recognise the master engraving on the balance cock. Unfortunately non of the watches that we took to Chiang Mai was engraved by Peter. 4 out of 6 are from the hands of Steffen Peterman, one from Romy Zimmermann (for the Cappuccino Lange 1), one from Simone Rauchfuss (for the blue dial Lange 1). And I gave Peter a hard time by showing him the photo of my Cabaret, which took him some 5 min to decide the work should been done by Master Wagner.
Peter and Robert
Working hard
What we delivered
Robert Hoffmann, the team manager Zeitwerk, showed us how to finish the flat polishing. Although it’s not new to me, I still had a hard time in getting the brass chaton, which should be much easier than the real gold chaton. There was always small scratch left. Robert said it might be the result of dust in the room. The chaton can be polished, but it may take hours. Joanna used to show me how to assemble the adjusting gold screw to a balance wheel in Hong Kong. So the second task was not tough for me, but I scratched the screw anyway. Good work takes time, as always. No matter how simple the work seems to be, great efforts and patience are needed.
My friend was working hard...
So was another friend...
How do you like my style?
A strong mainspring for Zeitwerk is a must to provide enough energy
It’s always a pleasure to paly with new toys, even they are lab coat. Here we go! It took us a whole afternoon to get several satisfying photos.
Cappuccino and friends
Dufour Dato with friends
Friends...
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 reference 206.032, introduced in 1999, is a notable example of the brand's commitment to traditional watchmaking principles. This model is part of the 1815 collection, which pays homage to the birth year of Ferdinand Adolph Lange and emphasizes classic design elements such as Arabic numerals and blued hands, drawing inspiration from historical Lange pocket watches. It represents a more understated and purist aesthetic compared to some of the brand's more complex offerings, focusing on fundamental horological excellence.
This particular reference features an 18k rose gold case measuring 36mm in diameter and 7.5mm in thickness. It houses the manually wound L941.1 caliber, visible through a sapphire crystal case back. The movement provides a power reserve of 45 hours. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal on the front, protecting a solid silver dial. Water resistance is rated at 30 meters, suitable for everyday wear but not for immersion.
The 1815 206.032 appeals to collectors who appreciate classical proportions and a focus on fundamental watchmaking without excessive complications. Its smaller case size reflects a more traditional approach to men's wristwatches, making it a desirable piece for those seeking a discreet yet highly refined timepiece. The combination of rose gold and a silver dial offers a warm and legible presentation, consistent with the collection's historical inspirations.
Many thanks for your dreaming report. Best wishes Alkiro
Do you know how to replace the photos one by one?
it can't be edited anymore. Thanks!
The Lange China team knows how to treat his friends Very nice pics of wonderful ALS watches btw Best, Mike
Thanks for sharing this nice report. Rgds Raymond
Thanks for a wonderful report and congrats to the new graduates! cheers fernando
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