KIH
[Purist]
12054
Part 1: Press Conference
PLM Event - Part 1: Press Conference on Thursday, 13th
Mr. Peter Kesselmann - Brand CEO, Japan
Mr. Wilhelm Schmid - CEO, Lange Uhren GMBH
Young watchmaker at demonstration booth where he de/assembles RL Tourbillon PLM movement
Slides
The history of PLM
“Pour le Mérite”, an accolade for the superb horological skills of Lange’s master watchmakers. The name came from the order of merit inspired by Alexander von Humboldt and sponsored by King Frederick William IV in 1842 for outstanding, predominantly scientific accomplishments.
Lange now has had four (4) PLMs, all are in LE and hard to come by.
Fusee Chain (or Fuse-and-Chain) parts
What happened in 1807 - Mr. Schmid's presentation and Quoted from Lange's website
All about accuracy - "There is hardly another watchmaker who can take more credit for the advancement of precision horology in Saxony than Johann Heinrich Seyffert (1751-1817). At the royal court and among scientists, his timepieces were immensely popular. His design concepts influenced the most talented artisans of his guild, elevating the art of horology in Dresden to new heights. In 1845, this trend culminated in the establishment of the first German watch manufactory by Ferdinand A. Lange. The circle of prestigious buyers of Seyffert’s fewer than one hundred exquisite timepieces also included the famous explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. For his expedition to South America, he acquired a Seyffert chronometer and took the time in 1797 to travel to Dresden expressly to learn the art of navigation with a sextant and barometer. According to Humboldt’s notes, Seyffert’s chronometer was accurate to four or five seconds a day and when stationary, its rate accuracy even improved to less than one second in 24 hours. Even today, two hundred years later, this degree of precision is nothing short of impressive. The regulator he crafted in 1807 is a particularly attractive exemplar. It is now part of the collection of the Mathematics and Physics Salon in Dresden. Its dial features three intersecting circles for the time indications. In its calibre, a fusée-and-chain mechanism is responsible for the constant transmission of power. This watch, with the serial number 93, was the blueprint for the RICHARD LANGE TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite”. - Wow!
The recently announced "Handwerkskunst" version, LE of 15
The engraver has to engrave toward eight (8) directions
Beautiful engraving on the movement, too.
And, THIS is the book Mr. Peter Chong authored dedicated solely for Lange PLMs. Lots of information you have never heard or known.
He talked a bit about Japan Market - Boutique
And the other Point of Sales - no plan to increase
Record Sales at Auction...
... and Cheers!
Thank you very much for presentation, Mr. Shmid, and Lange Japan staff for all the preparation.
Wonderful drinks and foods followed...
Please read on to Part 2. (note and apology: Mr. Chong was here at the press conference, but somehow I couldn't find his photo in my camera... sorry). He will appear in Part 2.
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2011-10-15 17:38:26
PLM Events in Tokyo
PLM Events in Tokyo This weekend Lange held events for PLM, starting with the Press Conference followed by 3 days of lunch/dinner with the owners/clients and dealers. There are three parts: Part 1: Press Conference on Thursday, 13th. Part 2: Lange Owners ...
Part 1: Press Conference
PLM Event - Part 1: Press Conference on Thursday, 13th Mr. Peter Kesselmann - Brand CEO, Japan Mr. Wilhelm Schmidt - CEO, Lange Uhren GMBH Young watchmaker at demonstration booth where he de/assembles RL Tourbillon PLM movement Slides The history of PLM &...
Part 2: Lange Owners' Club Japan Lunch
Lange PLM Events - Part 2: Lange Owners' Club Japan Lunch on Friday, 14th The display Big model of the chain Will show the demonstration later Look at the door - as always, very Lange event Nice. Herr Walter Lange - Mr. Schmid told us that Mr. Lange was s...
Excellent, simply excellent ...
coverage of a very nice event, Ken. It is not the first time that I would like to live in Japan Thanks a lot for sharing with us! Oliver
Nice to hear such comment....
... yeah, please visit one day.... You have home-country disadvantage, I guess I may need more Leica... hehehe. Thank you! Glad you enjoy the read. Ken
Thanks for the super report Ken!
Interesting to see cool exhibits like the giant chain. The variety of ALS owned by the people are amazing. The pair couple Lange 1 really nice! Did you manage to record the 'ding-ding' of the working Hour Striker? Wow! Patrick_Y's timing is extremely accu...
Thanks! The Striker came on the last day and it was so....
.. crowded and noisy, so I gave up recording or taping. I will try to do it one day soon! It was beautiful sound, a little low volume, though. But, it did not disappoint us. Ken
That is "Little" Lange 1 Darth - must fit your wife's wrist?
In fact, it is relatively rare.... Very attractive and tempting, I agree...
Addendum: Clients/ Retailers Dinner
PLM Event - Addendum: Retalers/ Clients Dinner. Well, you have seen twice already and I will just post the notable pics. Start of the night. The Dinner The watches: This is the WORKING PRODUCT - YES, it DINGS nicely! Rare pair of birds - one is regular La...
Ken, nobody write a report like you!!!!!
I was at the event last night, but found it much more enjoyable to experience it through Ken's great photos and descriptions! Sort of like watching a football game at the stadium while listening to the commentators on the TV! Ken, thanks for all the hard ...
Thank you for the kind words. It was good series event, to begin with.
.. I just reported it
A night to be remembered...
An amazing write-up! Makes me want to visit Japan even more often to attend these wonderful gatherings with truly passionate connoisseurs! Thank you for taking and posting these wonderful photographs! Thank you Ken and all the members of the A. Lange & So...
It was good to have you there, finally meet up in person.
.. pleasure meeting you there! Ken
Excellent report that captured the event
I have Peter's book, which I am reading or browsing at 4 pages every other day, so I don't finish it too fast! Slow digestion. His photography skills is just astounding, esp when he explain how he does the macro and the printing process. Best, Horo
Err......
All good things please multiply 200%, and all bad things discount 75%.... - Best, Horo
PLM: certainly not for the merits of the mainspring used
First a big thank you for a very enjoyable read with many none the less detailed pictures. The picture with the fusee held by a pair of forceps is for me the most informative one as it showes what I was thinking about the mainspring used in the PLMs: it i...
Yeah! I heard about that from Daniel...
... please report the event! Thank you, Tony! Ken
Fantastic reporting!
and some awe-inspiring piece in attendance..WOW! love that pink strap on the RM... Lange in Japan is doing quite a job...
Thank you - I, too, am always impressed with their job...
... when it comes to these events! Ken
outstanding reporting, outstanding event
each of your reports rekindles my admiration of Lange. Great watches the guests brought to the event too ... you guys in Japan have better Lange events than the Germans, it seems! Thanks a lot for the vicarious pleasure Andreas
WOW Ken ! These events were great !
Thanks a lot for the comprehensive reports, the Lange team knows how to organize events and to warmly welcome its customers. I enjoyed to browse the pics and to see some familiar faces. Fx
Thanks. They always to so much for these events and thus..
... always fun to attend. And people, staff and guests equally, are very nice, too. Ken
You are welcome!
I thought it was very nice that I would have to let you guys know about it! Ken
Fantastic report and pics !
Thanks Ken for you work, I'll be reading this again tomorrow 'cause it's night time here :p Best, Mark
Thanks!
I am kinda proud of the pics this time. Such serious pieces that I couldn't make mistakes and brought my heavy equipment in Of course, I hope you enjoy reading, too! Ken
You set the benchmark for reporting Ken!
Especially for these Lange events in Tokyo. They are probably by far the best anywhere in the world! The depth & enthusiams of the collectors there and the rare pieces that we see are astounding! The people at ALS no doubt also realize this. Thanks for ca...
No, the other way around :-)
Lange sets the benchmark of having these events. I am always impressed - ALS logos everywhere - door, signage, windows, I mean everywhere - they almost remodel the joint (higher-end restaurant) into the "House of Lange" over night. I just try to take good...
Bravo coverage Ken!
Ein vielen Danke for these photos! You truly do justice to my King! And makes me drool and remember all the good times i Had when i was in Tokyo. Ahh my bro went to Tokyo just for the event! I am so happy for him! Thank you so much for bringing the series...
You were most fortunate...
You were most fortunate to have such an awesome group in Tokyo. Truly a group with a tremendous amount of passion and appreciation for the brand Lange.
Ken, I'm tempted to...
... migrate to Japan just for these Lange events (just kidding!) But seriously, OMG, the Lange events you have over there are just unbelievable!!! One can see the amount of effort put into it, and does not compromise on any little detail, everything in te...
You are always welcome to, well, at least, visit :-)
Seriously, if you come to visit and there happens to be some event, you are always welcome to join! Ken
as always
wonderful coverage thx for sharing these--had never known what inspired the creation of the latest PLM J