A. Lange & Söhne started the Lange Akademie for
the collectors in 2010. This year, the brand engaged the press-members
with a similar version of of the Akademie with the "Press Akademie" to
communicate its values, watchmaking artistry and technology. The
well-organised session was continued with a quick preview of the 2012
SIHH novelties and a practical/hands-on session followed a wonderful
lunch.
A recap of the last month PRESS AKADEMIE at the Singapore National Museum ...
The main entrance of the Singapore Museum on 30 May 2012, 10am ...
Directional signage at the entrance ...
The reception ....
Lab-coats with attendee's names embroidered.
The coat in above pic belongs to Head of the Lange Akademie - Ms Joanna Lange.
The latest catalogue .... A. Lange & Söhne 's catalogues are one of the best resources.
Attendees' "journeyman-book" ...
The Press Akademie began at 11 am ...
Mr Franck Giacobini, Managing
Director of A. Lange & Söhne for the Asia Pacific region with Ms
Joanna Lange and Mr Manfred Weber,
Master Watchmaker.
Mr Franck Giacobini greeted the press members and provide a brief introduction about the session and his team ...
After which, Ms Joanna Lange started the lecture ....with the milestones of A. Lange & Söhne ...
(If you are keen about the full history, please click here to view)
The mentioned milestones :
1815
, yes it is also one of the models, it was the birth year of the
founder, Ferdinand A. Lange, born in Dresden on 18 February.
1837,
the 23-year-young Ferdinand A. Lange began his journeyman’s years,
leaving his town to Paris, Switzerland and England. He kept a journal or
his journeyman book which he sketched his ideas, learning and
reflections.
1845, Dec 7, he opened his first Langeworkshop in
the village Glashütte, which later became the centre of Germany's
precision watchmaking industry.
1898, the work of Lange was recognised by the monarchy.
On a state visit to Constantinople, Kaiser William II (last German
Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia) presented his host with a pocket
watch by A. Lange & Söhne.
1948, a tough period for the
company. The main production line was already destroyed by aerial
bombing raid. Later, the company seized by the East
German regime and converted into a nationally-owned enterprise.
Walter Lange, the great-grandson of the founder, a watchmaker in the
fourth generation fled to West Germany.
1990, Dec 7
(same date as the opening of first Lange workshop), Walter Lange
returned to Glashütte, to establish the Lange Uhren GmbH and
re-registered the brand A. Lange & Söhne just after Germany?s
reunification.
1994, Lange debuted the LANGE 1, SAXONIA, ARKADE
and TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite” as the first collection at the Dresden
Royal Palace with the respected Mr Günter Blümlein.
1999, The launch of DATOGRAPH, one of the most beautiful manual-wound chronographs till today.
2005, Adding to the arsenal, the Lange Time Zone.
2009, Shocking the world with Lange ZEITWERK , which very soon also become a winner.
2011, RICHARD LANGE Tourbillon “POUR LE MÉRITE” with fusée-and-chain transmission & a patented stop-seconds mechanism.
Following was a quick preview of the 2012 Novelties - Grand Lange 1, Saxonia Thin and Datograph Up/Down.
The above slide presented the comparison between the Datograph (1999) and the 2012 version.
For
the calibre of the new Datograph Up/Down, Calibre 951.6, has a large
barrel spring increasing the power reserve by 24 hours to 60 hours.
Also
highlighted, the hairspring used is the Lange Hairspring. This
reminded the press members, the hairspring is one of the most critical
components which most companies purchase them from Nivarox. To achieve
complete independence,company should have the ability to manufacture
own hairspring/spiral, and Lange does!
Also impressed on the press
members, the marvelous feat of gaving 43 calibres in 19 years with the
500 employees strong company with half of them are watchmakers.
Lastly, Ms Joanne Lange reiterated the values and cornerstones of A. Lange & Söhne manufacturing the world finest watches.
All
calibres are taken apart after the first assembly. Every components is
then meticulously hand-finised and assembled the second time, regulated
and tested before leaving factory. This is Lange's well-known "Double
Assembly" ensuring end-customers receive the perfect timepieces.
Following was the briefing
session of the three practical tests which the press members must
successfully completed before lunch
by Mr Manfred Weber, Master Watchmaker.
The three practical tests :
1)
to manually bend the tiny braking spring of to hack the tourbillon.
This is the key to the stop-seconds mechanism of the tourbillon...
All fully engrossed ... testing their dexterity
The giant model of the tourbillon cage of the CABARET Tourbillon.
The brake spring (in above picture , an inverted 'V' ) not engagind the balance wheel ...
The picture above, showing the brake pin engage the balance wheel screws...
The task for attendees is to bend this brake-spring into a predetermined shape using a acrylic fixture.
Delicately placing the brake-spring into the fixture ...
Ms Joanna Lange demonstrated on how to form the brake spring ...
The second test, to remove and reinsert the tiny screws on the balance spring with a special tool
Mr Weber observing ...
Trying his very best to keep both hands steady in front of the Master ....
Helping each others ...
Last stop....diamond lapping to achieve gloss polish surface ...
A three steps process to flat polish the metal surface to a gloss finish ... not easy.
Ms Michelle Chen, Country Manager of A. Lange & Söhne, demonstrating to a press member the steps.
After 45 minutes, all completed the tests and proceeded to lunch
A few quick pics before lunch began ...
Saxonia Thin, thinest watch of ALS - 40mm diameter and 5.9mm height , 18K WG.
Calibre L093.1, manual wound beating at 21,600 VPH with a power reserve of 72 hours.
LANGE 1 TIME ZONE
Diameter 41.9mm by 11.0 mm height.
Calibre L031.1.
Grand Lange 1, larger than Lange 1, it is at 40.9mm diameter versus 38.5mm.
However it is thinner at 8.8 mm.
Cal L095.1 using Lange Manufacture hairspring and a power reserve of 72 hours.
Datograph Up/Down
Calibre L951.6
Thanks A. Lange & Söhne for the invite to this fruitful and well thought out session.
KongRelated Posts:For Arthur Lim's posting of the same day Lange Akademie in the evening :
alang.watchprosite.com
alang.watchprosite.com
This message has been edited by Kong on 2012-06-29 11:59:43
