A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Hampton Court Edition Watch Review
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Hampton Court Edition is a one-of-a-kind watch, created to mark the occasion of this year’s Concours of Elegance. The watch will be sold at auction on the 6th November 2022 in support of the Prince’s Trust charity.
A. Lange & Söhne Watch Review
The German luxury marque, A. Lange & Söhne, is located in Germany’s Ore Mountains and dwells within the elevated heights of Haute Horlogerie, crafting watches of the highest order.
The eponymous firm can trace its origins to 1845, when talented watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange moved from Dresden to Glashütte. Lange was given financial incentives to establish his Manufactory in the town on the proviso that he employed 15 apprentices. Today, the town is the epicentre of German watchmaking and plays host to several other watch firms.
A. Lange & Söhne creates products imbued with no-compromise craftsmanship and mechanical virtue. Indeed, the firm’s timepieces stand in comparison with the finest examples of Swiss watchmaking and the German company is well known to many members of the horological cognoscenti.
#concoursofelegance
Like most companies, A. Lange & Söhne repeatedly strives to boost awareness of its brand by employing various marketing tools. For some time the Saxon firm has aligned its marque with the world of historic, rare and prestigious cars. In 2012, it formed a partnership with the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, an annual event held on the shores of Lake Como. Likewise, in 2018 the firm became a partner of the Concours of Elegance, staged at Hampton Court Palace on the outskirts of London.
The assembled classic cars exude a high quotient of timeless charm. Swooping lines, imposing grilles and patinated leather seats are much in evidence. Moreover, detail and craftsmanship are ubiquitous at the event at Hampton Court Palace, two characteristics that are also synonymous with the prestigious watch firm.
The Prince’s Trust charity – a unique watch
This year during the Concours of Elegance 2022 (2.9.2022 – 4.9.2022), A. Lange & Söhne will showcase several of its über-gorgeous models, including a unique timepiece that has been produced in support of the Prince’s Trust charity.
Based on the brand’s highly desirable 1815 Chronograph, first released in 2004, the charity watch is housed in an 18-ct white gold case. It features a black solid-silver dial with contrasting silver-toned counters and encompasses ‘sandstone-coloured numerals and scales’. This particular combination of materials and hues is unprecedented and will no doubt prove a tantalising prospect for Lange devotees.
Lange Calibre L951.5
A. Lange & Söhne has paired a column wheel with a horizontal coupling. The benefit of this traditional approach is that it allows the wearer to observe the wheels at play when the chronograph mechanism engages/disengages.
The flyback feature allows the wearer to stop, reset and restart the chronograph function with one simple press of a pushpiece. Obviating the need to hurriedly press both pushpieces, this feature proves especially useful when timing consecutive events.
A hand-engraved cuvette marks the occasion of the Concours of Elegance 2022. Once opened, the wearer is indulged with a view of an exquisite mechanical scene. The horological landscape of the Calibre L951.5 is populated with finely finished components presented at different levels.
Consistent with Glashütte tradition, the movement includes a three-quarter plate as well as numerous bridges. Everything is beautifully finished and supremely refined. The balance cock is hand engraved, four screwed gold chatons pay a respectful nod to watchmaking heritage and numerous thermally blued screws enliven the mechanical vista presented.
Philips in association with Bacs & Russo at the Geneva Watch Auction XVI (6.11.2022)
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Hampton Court Edition will be auctioned off on the 6th November in 2022 with the sale proceeds going to the Prince’s Trust charity. This charity was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1976. It supports young people between the ages of 11 and 30 and has played an active role in numerous success stories.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph Hampton Court Edition – closing remarks
Today, cars are produced in vast numbers using industrial production techniques. Some historical skills, formerly used within the car industry have been lost forever. For example, the sinuous car wings of yesteryear are no longer rolled by hand. By way of contrast, A. Lange & Söhne perpetuates centuries-old watchmaking techniques for the benefit of its discerning clients. Should you have the opportunity to visit the firm’s Manufactory, you will see highly skilled watchmakers and talented artisans employ their amazing hand-eye coordination and deftly use tools to craft objects that will outlast their owners.
The #concoursofelegance celebrates a bygone era when cars were crafted by hand, but it also showcases numerous watches from the German marque, where traditional methods are still alive and well.