MANILA, Philippines - Guests were treated to a hands-on experience with tools, watch components and processes involved in making an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece at a Connoisseur’s Akademie session held at The Glasshouse of New World Hotel.
Senior training consultant Joanna Lange, who spearheaded and developed the original Akademie in 2007, talked about A. Lange & Söhne’s illustrious heritage and its most iconic and innovative timepiece creations. This was followed by a watchmaking demonstration by master watchmaker David Weber.
Guests were invited to the workbenches to try their hand at various watchmaking techniques. The interactive activities included flat-polishing of various components, removal and attachment of tiny screws to the balance, and winding and loading the balance spring into the barrel. These activities were conducted under the careful supervision of the A. Lange & Söhne team.
“In the past, I would always ask why luxury Swiss watches cost so much. I realized that it is painstakingly hard and time consuming to perfect a timepiece,†a watch enthusiast explained. “A. Lange & Söhne has its own definition of what is perfect. Lange not only polishes parts that are exposed to the naked eye, but even those unseen. Decorative blued screws are also used throughout the movement. Discovering this gave me a higher level of respect for A. Lange & Söhne and watchmakers in general. Watchmakers are artisans in my vocabulary.â€
A. Lange & Söhne dates back to the initiative of the Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand A. Lange, who, in opening his watchmaking manufactory in 1845, laid the foundation for fine watchmaking in Saxony. His high-quality pocket watches are highly coveted collector’s items all over the world. Nowadays, the annual production is limited to just a few thousand wristwatches in gold or platinum. They are fitted exclusively with movements developed and manufactured in-house, sumptuously decorated and assembled by hand.