A. Lange & Söhne

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A.Lange & Söhne ‘Masters Dinner’ and 31-Day watch

A.Lange & Söhne ‘Masters Dinner’ presented by Sincere Fine Watches
4th September 2007, Singapore.

There was a frisson of excitement and anticipation when we received the invitation from ‘Sincere Fine Watches’ to attend this year’s A. Lange & Söhne ‘Masters Dinner’ in Singapore.

Our anticipation was fanned by a chance to see this year’s novelty presented at the SIHH watch fair earlier this year and to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. Of course, we were also excited about seeing our old friends from Glashütte and trying the new location of an established restaurant in Singapore  -  ‘Au Petit Salut’.

We were greeted by the ladies from Sincere Fine Watches, our congenial hosts for the evening.

As usual, all the brave young men from Sincere ran away when I approached them with the camera

Immediately, we could see the evening was off to a great start with the cocktails and hors d’œuvres.

Dom Perignon 1999 Vintage Champagne
One of the LVMH products that Richemont Group is not afraid to swallow 

I'm starting rumours again.......

Three Types of Crisp Cones filled with chopped lobster, tomato or scampi.

PuristS' Question Time

Fabian Krone, CEO, A. Lange & Söhne

Notice that he is holding the photo posted by our Peter Conrad click here
Fabian kindly explained what the photo represented but then I had to promise not to reveal publicly….not yet……sorry!

But it’s good to know that PuristS postings and questions are noted by your favourite German watch company .

Then, Mr Ong Ban of Sincere Fine Watches made a fine introduction and welcomed the guests from A. Lange & Söhne.

A string quartet

Played gently in the background as we moved quickly through the dinner courses.

We were promised that we could see the new watches AFTER we had finished our main courses and vegetables!

MENU

Tuna belly “Toro” over Lobster Consommé with Olives and Basil

2006 Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Smoked French Eel and Beluga Caviar with Sour Cream, Blinis and Chives

2006 Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Sauvignon Blanc again

Champagne Sorbet

Pan-roasted Wild Atlantic Line-Caught Sea Bass with Baby Artichoke, Olive Oil Coulis and Purple Shiso Cress

2004 TeMata Elston Chardonnay

Pepper Crusted Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Roasted French Black Fig in Port and Red Wine Reduction

2002 Chateau Haut Selve

Dark Valrhona Chocolate Mousse ‘Pure Caraibe’ 66% with Fresh Passion Fruit Pulp and Caramelized Filo

2005 M. Chapoutier Muscat Beaumes de Venise

Petit Fours, Coffee or Tea.

MAIN EVENT

We watched a video featuring Walter Lange that revealed the watch we were about to see.

Fabian Krone introduced his team at the event:

Sebastien Vossmann (Sales Director)

Manfred Weber (Asia Pacific Regional Service Manager)

Tony de Hass (Head of Product Development).

Anthony de Haas

Tony did not go into too much detail about the technical aspects of the 31-Day Going mechanism as he was particularly enamoured with the winding key and wanted to tell us about it. After all, is the part that an owner “interfaces” with, albeit only 12 times a year

There was really no need for Tony to go into detail because our PuristS comrade, Peter Conrad, has already posted an enlightening article  click here

The “salt shaker” turned out to be the famous winding ‘key’
It has a loop and could maybe also double as a key chain fob.

The clever bits are the ratchet for applying torque only in one winding direction and the built-in torque limiter to protect your VERY expensive toy. As PuristS, we should not talk about ‘street’ prices but we worked out that in Singapore, it’s the price of a Mercedes Benz S-Class “on-the-road”! This is a country where cars cost 2  -  4 times the USA price……

31 Days in Platinum (Front)

31 Days (Back)

31 Days and standard Datograph size comparison

The three ladies at the table around me all agreed  -  they liked it!

And they liked BIG watches.
The three husbands were not so sure…….. but we all agreed that this was a SPECIAL watch.

There is to be no talk about “daily wearer” potential or big case size because mundane things like that do not apply here.  I am reminded of the old adage: “If you have to ask…..you are not suited to be an owner.” 

Gentlemen (or ladies) who wear this watch are not looking for a dailer wearer nor are they concerned about the case size because, quite frankly, what do you have to worry about if you are WEARING a watch like this? You are not going to be digging a ditch nor playing polo. 

This is a watch that you wear to WIS parties and strolling down Kurfürstendamm in Berlin or Ginza Chou Dori in Tokyo! This watch is all about the appreciation of the technic! Any other discussions are just plain excuses to rationalise not having one     Next in line, please……..

I wonder if I can divert the my lady's attention with these?
Any excuse will do….

CONCLUSION:

I am sure that Lange watch fans and PuristS will join me in thanking Messrs Ong Ban and Fabian Krone for taking the trouble and effort to host the event.

We often say on the Internet that “One should not buy the watch because of the photos and adverts but to 'Buy the Seller'.” At this event, we could see the passion and masterful activity behind the manufacture and sales support for this brand.

In the final analysis, it is always easier buying from old friends  -  Sincere Fine Watches & A. Lange & Söhne  -  as it is sharing a meal and wine with them.

Text & Photos Copyright Dr Melvyn Teillol-Foo, September 2007.