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Timepieces from A. Lange & Söhne on rocks and minerals from Saxony provide a
reminder of the origins of the Federal State’s wealth and culture.

A long way below the Ore Mountains – the homeland of A. Lange & Söhne – hidden treasures await discovery. At present geologists are exploring probably one of the largest tin deposits in the world. As early as the Middle Ages enormous silver finds triggered the “First Mining Rumours” – the first silver fever – in the Federal State. The Earth’s treasures formed the basis of an unprecedented cultural and scientific period of blossoming and also the wealth of the Saxon Sovreign Electors (Kurfürsten). Major
innovations such as the discovery of European porcelain in Meißen and masterpieces of craftsmanship occurred in this period such as those which can still be admired today in the “Green Vault” of the Dresden Royal Palace. The Saxon precision watchmaking industry of the 18th century also has its roots in this development.

Amongst the many famous Dresden watchmakers of that period, there was one who stands out because of his forward-looking thoughts and actions: it is Ferdinand A. Lange, who brings watchmaking to the Ore Mountains in 1845. This was a time when the silver mines in the Eastern Ore Mountains had long been abandonned and the people were suffering from poverty and hunger. With his visionary concept of a new line of business he laid the foundations for the second economic boom in the
region. The circle closes here.

The attractive combination of timepieces from the current collection of A. Lange & Söhne and rocks and minerals from the Ore Mountains links the origins of wealth and culture in the Middle Ages to the modern Saxon precision watchmaking of the 21st century. The subjects originate from the geological collections of the Technical University of the Saxon mining town of Freiberg. With the “terra mineralia” in the Freudenstein Castle Museum it possesses the largest and most beautiful exhibition of minerals in Germany with more than 3,500 minerals, precious stones and meteorites since 2008. Numerous works of art of the Saxon Court were created during previous centuries by talented craftsmen from these and other rocks and minerals originating from the Ore Mountains.


Lange on the Rocks – Part 1: New models 2012

LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR on serpentinite
The LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR, launched in January 2012, combines two classic complications in the expressive LANGE 1 design: a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon with patented stop seconds.
The serpentinite from Zöblitz in the Ore Mountains is characterised by snake-like patterns and interesting shades of colour ranging from black to green to red. A large number of works of art made of garnet serpentinite from Zöblitz, which contains black garnet inclusions, were created for the court of Saxon Sovreign Electors from the 16th to 19th century.

LANGE 1 TIME ZONE on agate
With an innovative home and time zone display as well as a city ring the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE is the perfect companion for frequent flyers and cosmopolitans.
Agate has been appreciated since ancient times as a semi-precious stone. There are significant deposits only a few kilometres from the Lange manufactory, which had already been discovered at the beginning of the 18th century. They have a special feature: the stone has been crushed through movements in the Earth’s crust and is therefore described as ruin agate.

DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN on topaz
The DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN in a platinum case enlarged to a diameter of 41 millimetres offers a power
reserve extended to 60 hours, which is clearly displayed by the UP/DOWN indicator at 6 o’clock.
Topaz from the Ore Mountains is sometimes also described as a “Saxon diamond”, as it sparkles so much when smoothed. Stones with topaz were discovered in Altenberg close to Glashütte when excavating for tin in the 1960s and they are the only ones in the world in this size and formation. However, they are not suitable for making jewellery because of the numerous cracks.

GRAND LANGE 1 on zinnwaldite
Elegant proportions characterise the appearance of the GRAND LANGE 1, which was presented for the first time in January 2012 with altered dimensions and a new inner life.
The shiny, silvery zinnwaldite contains lithium, which is used in a variety of ways in modern technology. Once again searches are underway for this raw material in the Ore Mountains. Lithium has the lowest density of the solid elements. The zinnwaldite which was formed during a magmatic phase is surrounded by light feldspar.

SAXONIA THIN on zinnwaldite
With a height of only 5.9 millimetres, the SAXONIA THIN is the thinnest watch ever crafted by the traditional Saxon watchmaker. It has also been available in white gold since 2012.
The SAXONIA THIN was also photographed on zinnwaldite.


Lange on the Rocks – Part 2: LANGE 1 Family

LANGE 1 on amethyst
The LANGE 1 is no more and no less than the modern successor to previous masterpieces from A. Lange & Söhne. It has been the cornerstone for the successful comeback of the traditional brand since 1994.
Magical powers were ascribed to amethyst owing to its violet colour. It was supposed to protect against the intoxicating effects of wine when worn as a charm. It has been excavated in the Ore Mountains since the 16th century and used to make jewellery.

LANGE 1 MOONPHASE on serpentinite
The watchmaking charm of the LANGE 1 MOONPHASE lies in the continuous movement and therefore realistic display of the waxing and waning moon.
The serpentinite from Zöblitz in the Ore Mountains is characterised by snake-like patterns and interesting
shades of colour ranging from black to green to red. A large number of works of art made of garnet serpentinite from Zöblitz, which contains black garnet inclusions, were created for the court of Saxon Sovreign Electors from the 16th to 19th century.

LANGE 1 TIME ZONE on agate
With an innovative home and time zone display as well as a city ring the LANGE 1 TIME ZONE is the perfect companion for frequent flyers and cosmopolitans.
Agate has been appreciated since ancient times as a semi-precious stone. There are significant deposits only a few kilometres from the Lange manufactory, which had already been discovered at the beginning of the 18th century. They have a special feature: the stone has been crushed through movements in the Earth’s crust and is therefore described as ruin agate.

LANGE 1 DAYMATIC on silver ore
With the first self-winding mechanism in a LANGE 1 introduced in 2010, the LANGE 1 DAYMATIC represents another chapter in the success story of the most wellknown watch family from A. Lange & Söhne.
This seam with silver was found in the Himmelsfürst mine in Brand-Erbisdorf. It was formerly the most important silver mine in the Ore Mountains. As early as 1168 the first silver ore was found in the region around Freiberg, but mining ended for the time being in 1968. Approximately ten grams of the revered precious metal can be obtained from one kilogram of Saxon silver ore.

LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR on topaz
The LANGE 1 TOURBILLON PERPETUAL CALENDAR,
launched in January 2012, combines two classic complications in the expressive LANGE 1 design: a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon with patented stop seconds.
Topaz from the Ore Mountains is sometimes also described as a “Saxon diamond”, as it sparkles so much when smoothed. Stones with topaz were discovered in Altenberg close to Glashütte when excavating for tin in the 1960s and they are the only ones in the world in this size and formation. However, they are not suitable for making jewellery because of the numerous cracks.

GRAND LANGE 1 on zinnwaldite
Elegant proportions characterise the appearance of the GRAND LANGE 1, which was presented for the first time in January 2012 with altered dimensions and a new inner life.
The shiny, silvery zinnwaldite contains lithium, which is used in a variety of ways in modern technology. Once again searches are underway for this raw material in the Ore Mountains. Lithium has the lowest density of the solid elements. The zinnwaldite which was formed during a magmatic phase is surrounded by light feldspar.


Original Language: English