With a background as a watch salesman throughout Europe, Ferdinand A. Lange finally opened a watch facility in 1845 after negotiating with the Saxony government. He was only a newcomer in the business, but he knew he was already making a name for himself and he wanted to open a facility in Glashutte.

Lange had a profound respect for horology, and he wanted his watches to be as accurate as possible. That is why he decided to use the metric system into his productions. It greatly increased the precision of his watches.

He was an admired man, dedicated to his business and to the people around him, and he was the Mayor of Glashutte during eighteen years. After Lange died at the age of 60, his sons, Robert and Emil, changed the name of the business to A. Lange & Sohne, thus beginning the company as we know it today. During his time in the company Robert produced 27 models and patents, including the addition of beryllium to improve an alloy that is used for the balance springs.

World War I could have had a negative impact on many luxury companies, but the family business, now run by the third generation, managed to stay afloat. However, during World War II, the company was expropriated. 40 years later, in 1990, Walter Lange restarted the company and returned to Glashutte to once again produce fine watches.

A. Lange and Sohne is now commemorating its 165 anniversary. To celebrate, the brand has produced 3 new Limited Edition Anniversary Watches created using 18k gold.

The Tourbograph “Pour le Merite”, has been touted as the most watch with more complications currently on the market. With a limited edition of 101 pieces, it has a L903.0 movement composed of 1000 parts.

Another superb piece is the Lange 1 Tourbillon, dubbed as an “Homage to F.A. Lange”. It has a L961.2 movement composed of 381 parts.

The Moon Phase version of the “Homage to F.A. Lange” is also a true masterpiece.  A millennium could go by before without adjunting the the moon phase feature has to be adjusted. It has a L943.2 movement with a seconds sub-dial and stopper.

These are superb watches that will be highly regarded for many generations to come.