SWA Horology Colloquiums - A.Lange & Sohne Part 1 of 2
Discover The Legend of German High Watchmaking
October 10, 2007, 7pm - Sincere Watch Academy (SWA), Singapore
The speaker for the session was Mr.Anthony de Hass (Head of Product Development, A. Lange & Sohne).
Some of the guests already arrived before 7pm to get the best seats.
Organic food and drinks were served. Great for people who watched their health.
Strangely this caterer's organic food and drinks taste good.
However, this was my stop! Woww..Octoberfest is here... freshly microbrewed beer with sausages. Good stuff!
Mr. Anthony de Hass just arrived at 4pm. Now he has to work ..or play.
A Dutchman. What is he doing in a German manufacturing? His previously working experience as a watchmaker in IWC and Renaud & Papi specialising in complications. Anyway he works very well with his German colleagues,as they are culturally very proud of their crafts and always strive for perfection.
More joined in the fun later...urpp...the beer...
Benjamin ( Asst Operation Manager, Retail) was demonstrating his skill.
Sean ( Brand Executive for ALS and FPJ) and Prof Wong. Just behind them was the atelier.
These were the alternative, healthy drinks - Organic!
Two watchmakers were still on duty. Their room was just beside the training room.
This watchmaker was pressing the crystal onto the casing.
Which house do these casings belong to?
At 7:05pm, the session began. Patrick Tan, the Headmaster or the Principal of SWA gave the opening speech and introduced Anthony.
Anthony started with the history of ALS.
He also touched on the fast rate of growth of ALS in term of factory space and skilled labour. However the quantity produced did not increase, only the complexity of the watches increased. They will continue to focus in building more complicated pieces.
He continued with the uniqueness of a piece of Lange, what were the efforts and craftwork that went into producing each piece.
On this slide, he mentioned the lugs were individually fabricated. Using hand to finish only the edge of the lugs to extreme shine finishing and then the lugs were soldered onto the casing. Compared to a stamped casing, this soldered lugs casing required more processes and skilled artisans to produce them.
Question and answer session...
Some of the questions asked ( the answers were based on my memory and interpretation) :
1) Will ALS produce sport watches? No.
2) Will ALS produce new Ladies' range? Not just add diamonds to the bezel. ..In the pipeline, however, still pursuing to get the ' shape which could be associated with 'Lange'.
3) Why ALS and Sincere discouraged the watches to be opened by other non-ALS watchmakers? Its the handling of the German silver.
4) Will ALS consider using new material? Yes, ALS has tested even silicium, and also observing the progress. However, the philosophy of ALS is the watches we bought today, must be able to be serviceable in 100 years time or beyond. As long as the parts are made of metal, it is easier to fabricate then new material which need special processes and machinery.
Kong
This message has been edited by Kong on 2007-10-11 13:06:44ALS @ SWA ( the Watches) Part 2/2
Anthony grabbed a glass of juice to quench his thirst. Well, he rejected a beer ! Reason was on antibiotic?!
Now that he's recharged, its private question time.
He disclosed when he was with R & P, he ordered a Lange 1!
Someone asked, "how about now? And that you are in ALS?"....
Someone asked about Lange 31. He explained the mainspring was first tested 3 years ago. And the mainspring manufacturers were curious of what ALS was planning. He kept it a secret from them. They build 5 prototypes and he said, surprisingly all 5 works perfectly up till now!
Order is strong and the first piece is expected to be delivered early 2009.
After the questioning stopped, we were curious what was he wearing? The TOURBOGRAPH "Pour le Merite" !!!
He still has another one on his left wrist - Lange 1 Timezone. How about the legs? He said could not show us! ;-)
Enjoy the pics of the TOURBOGRAPH!
Stunning mechanics. Very beautiful! It is the 0/51 ! Lucky man! Though Anthony mentioned it is a prototype, it is fully decorated.
Someone took the opportunity to wear it!
Yes, Mr Laurence Gwee... he hoped Anthony forgot to claim it back from him.
Guessed whose watch is this?
Its Patrick Tan's, the Principal of SWA.
Another gorgeous piece.
That's it .
Kong
Was everyone still sober after 7.05pm?
Great report, Kong. While reading your post, I was thinking of the sausage and the beer.
Regards
Ling
er......nope.......hic :o)
Take it from me as Wine Food & Epicurean Delights moderator that we were not.....
Regards, MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2007-10-14 07:56:01
Hehe Ling, no chance! I think I finished almost half the barrel! and also the sausages! [nt]
Oktoberfest In-house!
Anthony's a seasoned traveler! I was half expecting him to be wonky after arriving at 4.00 PM earlier that day. He mentioned that he had flown to several cities in the last few weeks before arriving here. But he held up extremely well and the Sincere team packed him off to supper after the first session.
Hey Kong, nice pictures by the way. Liked the case back close-ups of the Turbograph and Lange One. Mine weren't that clear but the rest of the shots came out alright.
Cheers!
Wow...fortunately the pics of the Turbograph & Lange1 were clear, at least I have my ...
At least your wristshots were good and also the chance to wear the Turbograph!
Kong