A. Lange & Söhne and the charm of classic cars

Saxon haute horlogerie brand meets the most fascinating historic machines

Mechanical and classic cars have in common the passion for the freedom of expression, independence and the precious nature of time itself.

Precision and innovation are aspects that cars and watches both share. Two of the world’s major car events- the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Italy and the Hampton Court PalaceConcours of Elegance in the exclusive London countryside- have been offering for years the historic German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne the chance to highlight the mechanical elegance of its movements.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Italy

Today these two events give the guests the opportunity to admire the mechanical masterworks of special classic cars from the past alongside the craftsmanship at A. Lange & Söhne.

The timeless setting, the elegant classic cars, the competitors’ outfits and the atmosphere are all of the highest standard.

But what is the link that ties together a German company based in Glashütte so rich in tradition such as A. Lange & Söhne and the two Concours of Elegance Mostly their focus on the preservation of the historic/cultural heritage (in this case car heritage) whose value is fully understood only by those who, such as the Saxon brand, share the same history, since its origins date back to 1845.

Saxony precision watchmaking in an English country garden: A. Lange & Söhne’s presence at the Concours of Elegance 2022, where the 1815 Chronograph ‘Hampton Court Edition’ attracted widespread interest

“Classic cars are more than just a means of transport,” says Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne. “The more you familiarise yourself with the intricacies of the drive, bodywork and history, the stronger your personal relationship to the car becomes. This is also true of a Lange watch, which is not worn just to tell the time.”

A. Lange & Söhne was once again present at the Concorso d’EleganzaVilla d’Este from 20 to 22 May 2022, where the most beautiful classic cars were shown on the shores of Lake Como. The Saxon watch manufactory has been a partner of this prestigious classic car competition since 2012. On this occasion, Mr. Schmid awarded the winner of the Best of Show category with a unique timepiece. Just like the historic rarities on wheels, the one-of-a-kind1815 Chronograph in white gold is an expression of the perfection, elegance, and the highest level of mechanical sophistication.

The latest and most recent participation of the Saxon brand was in the 10th British Concours of Elegance in September 2002.

Concours of Elegance 2022

HRH Principe Michael of Kent, as patron of the Concours

The presence of HRH Principe Michael of Kent, as patron of the Concours, was tangible proof of the Royal Welcome. While codes, pragmatics and cultural topography were proudly British, the universal language of car elegance was able to bridge the distance between different cultures, as had already happened in May at Villa d’Este, welcoming owners, collectors and fans from all over the world. At the Concours, Lange - to which Prince Michael of Kent paid a special tribute- put its mechanical gems side by side with spectacular and rare cars, including the 1815 Chronograph ‘Hampton Court Edition’, a one-of-a-kind timepiece in white gold with black dial and sandstone-colored numerals, ensuring the best possible legibility.

A unique piece of the 1815 Chronograph ‘Hampton Court Edition’ auctioned off for a good cause after the Concours of Elegance 2022. It comes in a solid white-gold case with a diameter of 39.5 millimetres, black dial and, for the first time, sandstone-coloured numeralsA. Lange & Söhne at the Concours of Elegance 2022

The L951.5 caliber, decorated by hand as per tradition, is kept in the hinged cuvette featuring an engraving of the Concours of Elegance’s logo. This exclusive timepiece will be auctioned at the Geneva Watch Auction XVI with the proceeds going to The Prince’s Trust, the charity institution founded in 1976 by King Charles III to help young people who are unemployed to develop their skills and gain access to job opportunities.

At the Concours, which celebrated also the 75th anniversary of Ferrari, Italy was the star even on British soil with its best ambassadors from the Maranello-based company.

The Concorso Edition 2022 presented by A. Lange & Söhne during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is hallmarked by a solid pink-gold dial

Highly fascinating was the contrast between the classic and the contemporary, between different ages, in particular, the juxtaposition of the 1955Ferrari 750 Monza with the 2022 Ferrari Monza SP1, its worthy heir. And yet, within such a sumptuous exhibition of Italianness, the Best of Show was the French 1938Delage D8-120 de Villars, owned by Fritz Burkard and part of The Pearl Collection. And while the great classic car collectors are going back to work to face the challenges of 2023 - the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este  from May 19 to 21 and the  Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance from September 1 to 3 - we wonder what new, timepieces A. Lange & Söhne will showcase at the upcoming events as its message of mechanical and aesthetic excellence.