A. Lange & Söhne, Saxon precision watchmaking, meets the most beautiful classic cars in the world in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. A celebration of subtle differences.
From 3 to 5 September 2021, fans of exclusive classic cars will come together at the Concours of Elegance to admire some of the most important cars of all time. The carefully curated event will take place once again this year in the royal grounds of Hampton Court Palace near London. To mark the 95th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, 95 of the best British cars built from 1926 onwards will be on display, milestones of mobility that are of immense value due to their special character and fine technical and aesthetic differences.
This exceptional car show will be greatly enriched by the presence of A. Lange & Söhne, a traditional luxury brand that has been the main sponsor of the Concours of Elegance since 2018. As is the case with the mobile exhibits, the fine timepieces by A. Lange & Söhne also have subtle differences. Inimitable design, double-assembled movements and the technical expertise underpinning the “Made in Germany” ethos are what make these masterpieces from the Saxon manufactory so unique.
“Cars and watches represent values that are important to us,” says Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid, who knows both worlds well, being the car and watch enthusiast that he is. “Particularly when they are made in such a way that triggers passion. Cars represent freedom and independence. Watches symbolise the preciousness of time. We move and identify with them. They are close to us and fascinate us in equal measure. Creative people exploit mechanics and design to give them shape and make them touching and inspiring works of art. This forms the basis of our partnerships in the classic car segment.”
For Wilhelm Schmid, this year’s event is especially significant: “The Concours of Elegance is inspired by the atmosphere of its surroundings and encounters between people who all share the same passion. The beauty of the vehicles assembled here can only fully unfold in this special environment. And the fascination of a high-quality watch is best conveyed when you have it in your hand or – even better – put it on.”
About A. Lange & Söhne
Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the cornerstone of Saxony’s precision watchmaking industry when he established his manufactory in 1845. His precious pocket watches remain highly coveted among collectors all over the world. The company was expropriated after the Second World War, and the name A. Lange & Söhne nearly vanished. But in 1990, Walter Lange, Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s great-grandson, ventured to start over again. Today, Lange crafts only a few thousand wristwatches, mainly in gold or platinum, per year. They are endowed exclusively with proprietary movements that are lavishly decorated and twice assembled by hand. With 67 manufacture calibres developed since 1990, A. Lange & Söhne has secured a top-tier position among the world’s finest watch brands. Its greatest successes include brand icons such as the LANGE 1, the first regularly produced wristwatch with an outsize date, and the ZEITWERK, with its precisely jumping numerals. Extraordinary complications such as the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER, the TRIPLE SPLIT and the so far most complicated model, the GRAND COMPLICATION, introduced in 2013 in a limited edition of six, represent what the manufactory always strives for: to drive the traditional art of watchmaking to ever-new heights. The sporty yet elegant ODYSSEUS, introduced in 2019, marked the start of a new chapter for A. Lange & Söhne.