A. Lange & Sohne was one of the earliest manufacturers to establish their headquarters in the historically significant city of Glashutte in Germany. The company started with Adolf Lange. For years, Lange served as an apprentice for a watchmaker named J.C. Friedrich Gutkaes. In their workshop, they focused on making bespoke timepieces for wealthy clientele. Through this experience, Lange was able to hone both his watchmaking and business skills. He graduated from this apprenticeship in 1835 but continued to work with Gutkaes for a few more years. Eventually, he furthered his studies with another watchmaker who specialized in chronometers. Finally, in 1845, Lange founded his own namesake brand.
During the first years of business, Lange focused on his passion for innovating. Just a year after setting up his workshop, he designed the three-quarter plate. Today, A. Lange & Sohne continues to use this element in their movements. Soon after, Lange made another significant development that has since become an industry standard. He replaced the Parisian system of linges with the metric system.
In 1848, Lange received a unique opportunity: he became the Mayor of Glashutte, and his tenure lasted nearly two decades. During that time, he continued to keep his watchmaking business thriving while implementing legislation to boost the industry at large in the town of Glashutte. Today, many credit Lange with transforming the modest town into the epicenter of watchmaking, as we know it.
As Lange grew older, he began to think about the future of his company. He knew that he wanted it to remain a family business, so he began training his sons, Richard and Emil. The two brothers would take over the company around the time of Lange's death in 1875. Later, they would carry out the family tradition by training their sons. Thus, the business was no longer just Lange himself. It was A. Lange & Sohne.
Lange's descendants proudly carried on his superior work ethic and pioneering spirit. For example, in 1900, A. Lange and Sohne unveiled their No. 42500 Grand Complication. This bespoke pocket watch was far ahead of its time. To this day, it continues to be one of the most technically complex timepieces the brand has ever created.
For the next decade, A. Lange & Sohne worked tirelessly to restore their brand to its former glory. This included extensive restoration efforts in the remains of the company's workshop that had been destroyed in the bombing raid. All the while, they continued to innovate. Since then, the brand has created over 40 new movements and notched over 150 international horological prizes. In 2019, they celebrated the 25th anniversary of their re-establishment with the release of an impressive eight commemorative timepieces. Later that year, they entered a new era for the brand with their first-ever serially produced stainless steel model: Odysseus.