Celebrating the Founder of Lange Uhren GmbH on His 100th Birthday
Walter Lange, the visionary behind the reestablishment of Lange Uhren GmbH on December 7, 1990, would have turned 100 years old on July 29, 2024. His efforts not only revived his family’s extensive watchmaking tradition, halted for over 40 years, but also paved the way for the resurgence of Saxon precision watchmaking, a legacy started by his great-grandfather in 1845.
The Legacy of Walter Lange
Walter Lange (July 29, 1924 – January 17, 2017), who served as a representative and ambassador for A. Lange & Söhne until his death, was widely honored for his contributions to the Glashütte watch industry. Known for his charismatic personality, open-mindedness, warmth, and modesty, Lange treated everyone as equals. His vision of responsible entrepreneurship and commitment to the trade, particularly to the next generation of watchmakers, continues to influence A. Lange & Söhne’s corporate culture today.
A Sheltered Childhood and the Cruelties of War
Born in Dresden in 1924, Walter Lange was the fourth child of Rudolf and Hildegart Lange. He spent a sheltered childhood in Glashütte, which was marked by the global economic crisis. Witnessing the unemployed in front of the company’s headquarters left a lasting impression on him, driving his future actions. There was no doubt he would become a watchmaker, often accompanying his father to inspect finished chronometers. After completing primary school in Glashütte and secondary education in Dresden, he began a watchmaking apprenticeship in Karlstein, Austria, in 1941. However, his training was interrupted in 1942 when he was called to serve in World War II. He survived the war by sheer luck and returned home on May 7, 1945, only to find Glashütte bombed the following day. The main production building of A. Lange & Söhne was badly damaged, and the remnants were seized by Soviet occupiers.
New Hope After the War – The First Wristwatch
Despite the devastation, the people of Glashütte began rebuilding immediately. As Walter Lange recounted in his memoirs, “When Time Came Home,” watch production was their only means of survival. In 1947, the family began selling the “Calibre 28,” a wristwatch movement based on the Calibre 48 pocket watch. However, in 1948, the Lange family’s plans were thwarted by the expropriation and transformation of the business into a state-owned company by the SED regime. Walter Lange fled to Pforzheim, where he struggled to establish a new watchmaking manufacture. He remained loyal to the watchmaking and jewelry industry as a sales representative until his retirement in 1986, always hoping to revive Lange in Glashütte, though he never believed he would succeed.
“We Had to Start from Scratch Once Again”
German reunification presented a historic opportunity, and Walter Lange seized it. On December 7, 1990, he registered Lange Uhren GmbH, initially using a borrowed postal address. Despite the risks, he felt compelled to return to Glashütte to provide work and prospects during difficult times. His vision of reviving A. Lange & Söhne was so powerful that it came to fruition in just four years.
A New Beginning
Walter Lange’s most important partner was entrepreneur Günter Blümlein, who also believed in the brand’s comeback. With a dedicated team and financial support from VDO and LMH, they answered the question of what a Lange watch should look like at the end of the 20th century. “From the outset, it was important that we develop watches with a simple, classic design and an extremely modern look,” said Walter Lange.
Commitment to Quality and Innovation
The first collection, including LANGE 1, ARKADE, SAXONIA, and TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite,” launched on October 24, 1994, in Dresden’s Royal Palace, impressed experts and connoisseurs. The 123 examples produced were all sold. Walter Lange continued to share his advice and experience, engaging openly with customers, press representatives, and business partners until the very end.
Supporting the Next Generation
One of Walter Lange’s main concerns was the future of watchmaking. The company started with just two trainees in 1997, and today the in-house school is internationally recognized. The manufacture honored its namesake in 2022 by naming its training center the “Walter Lange Training and Further Education Centre.”
Honoring a Legacy
Walter Lange received numerous honors, including the Prix Spécial du Jury du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2014, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in 2013, and the Caesars Award in 2011. To mark the 175th anniversary of Glashütte watchmaking, a life-size bronze sculpture of Walter Lange was unveiled in 2020 near the monument to his great-grandfather.
“He Was the Beating Heart of Our Manufacture”
Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid reflects on Walter Lange’s legacy: “Walter Lange represented the old school in the truest sense of the word. He brought his values, such as watchmaking, his down-to-earth attitude, and his humble character to the company and firmly anchored them. His way of thinking and actions will continue to guide our decisions as a company in the future.”
Walter Lange’s memory and achievements continue to inspire, and the updated edition of his biography ensures that his legacy will be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
For more information, please visit ALange-Soehne.com.
