A. Lange & Söhne - World Tour 2011
This year's new models from A. Lange & Söhne are going on a trip of about 22,000 kilometres as they are presented from 21 February to 19 April in the four international boutiques of this traditional brand from Saxony, Germany. This gives watch aficionados and friends of the brand the opportunity to examine at first hand the latest highlights of the Lange art of watchmaking.
The 2011 collection is an expression of A. Lange & Söhne's esteem of the exceptional. The new models were received with great enthusiasm in January at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) by both the international press and the trade. Pride of place here was given to the Richard Lange Tourbillon "Pour le Merite", which once again showed that complications are one of the strengths of the Lange manufactory. A further highlight was the Lange Zeitwerk Striking Time which, in addition to a jumping numeral display, also has a quarter-hour chime, thereby striking a new note for the brand. The enhanced and extended Saxonia family demonstrates unmatched craftsmanship. The elegantly designed Saxonia Dual Time turns out to be the perfect travel companion. And at a height of just 5.9 millimetres the Saxonia Thin is the flattest watch ever made by Lange.
The tour started with an exhibition from 12 to 26 February in the first A. Lange & Söhne boutique in Dresden. The models then set out on tour and will be presented to a select audience at exclusive premieres in the three Asian brand boutiques. From 10 to 15 March the collection will be on show in Tokyo's elegant Ginza shopping district. From there it moves on to Shanghai, where the exhibition can be seen from 23 to 29 March. The last stop on the tour will be from 6 to 12 April in Seoul, where the traditional brand opened its most recent shop in December on Lotte Avenue. The expansion of its presence in the emerging markets of Asia is a logical step for the traditional German watch brand whose masterpieces are at home in the very top echelons of the luxury watch market.
As with the shops in Dresden, Shanghai and Tokyo, A. Lange & Söhne Seoul also reflects the personality of the brand and its philosophy - "State-of-the-Art Tradition". Every detail of the facilities and ambience embodies the same spirit of perfect craftsmanship and technical innovation that is expressed by the exclusive watches themselves. For instance, the collection drawers housing the precious timepieces have fronts made from Meissen porcelain. And a replica of the famous Five-Minute Clock from Dresden's Semperoper is on display in all four shops, reflecting the history of Lange watchmaking that stretches back for more than 165 years. The central focus here, though, is on the art of the watchmaker of today. The entire collection of handcrafted timepieces from Saxony can be experienced first-hand at A. Lange & Söhne Seoul.