Rollie
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A. Lange & Sohne...Father's Day (very long)
Father & Son
This story begins a year ago when I went on the TZ tour to Switzerland & Germany. I knew the highlight would be the trip to Dresden and nearby Glaushutte. Of course, the trip to A. Lange was very special including the museum. I had never owned a Lange but was blown away by their craftsmanship and pusuit of excellence.
Seven months later, I am cruising thru this forum and came across a post regarding the Oeding-Erdel 1815 Ccuvette.” Peter's writing style is so wonderful I just fell in love with the watch.
The story is a long one, but goes as follows. It is the 100 anniversary of this jewelry store located in Munster, Germany and Lange agreed to a special anniversary watch. It would be a “1815” Automatik with the L921.2 caliber. However, what made it quite different was a 40mm case rather than 37mm, and perhaps most surprising issued in white gold, no platinum. In addition,.it is the only known variation of the 1815 without the “SAX-O_MAT” inscription over the small second subddial. Also there are no white dial/blue hands. Also, there are small red accents at 12, 3,6, and 9. yet the most special component is the”hunter case” with its hinged back which protects the inner sapphire crystal. The hinged back offers an invitation to personalize the watch with an engraving, perhaps by the same engraver who engraved the balance cock. Making the watch seem more special is the limited number of each watch – 38 in YG, RG, and WG. Why “38”? The grandson who is taking over the firm is currently 38 on the date of the 100 anniversary.
Of course, I decide immediately that I wanted one for a very special occasion, but how to get it? Fortunately, a very good friend of mine lives in Essen, Germany and whose parents live in Muenster. He has exquisite taste and I knew he could find it.
Well, he contacted the jeweler and after lots of e-mail I am going to get # 35/38 WG. The reason for the watch is that my son will be receiving his PhD from UC Berkeley in May, 2007 and will be 35 the day he receives his degree. Here is the watch…..
Of course as a proud father, I felt it was my obligation to also get a Lange for myself. Naturally, the watch that had caught my eye at the Museum seemed to be the logical one. One could even consider it to be the father of all Lange wrist watches, So I got my first Lange..
So how do the watches compare. It is very interesting to see them together and probably a very rare combination
So, here is the special day with each of us wearing our Langes
Hope you enjoyed this special Lange moment. Thanks again to Peter for his wonderful post that was the genesis of all of this.
Rollin
