A Datograph with a ‘World View’

After many years of lobbying, A. Lange & Sohne finally announced their Australian launch in February. This is another testament reflecting the increasing maturity of the Australian watch collecting landscape.

To mark the occasion a few select guests were invited to the official inauguration celebrations in April. This involved a tour of the new boutique within the Watches of Switzerland Melbourne store, followed by dinner at Vue de Monde.

Eric van der Griend of Watches of Switzerland with some opening remarks.

Our A. Lange & Sohne hosts are introduced which included, Joanna Lange (who is married to Benjamin the son of Walter Lange), Senior Training Consultant based in Hong Kong, Daniel Rogger, International Sales Director and Michelle Chen Regional Manager for ALS based at the Richemont Singapore Headquarters.

Situated on the 55^th floor of Melbourne’s iconic Rialto, Vue de Monde explores a unique dining concept moving beyond the standard Australian fine dining cliché.

A quick shot of the Lui Bar.

Some more pre dinner drinks.

A wonderful stage to what will be one best watch events I have had the privilege to attend.

Joanna talked about the rich history of the company including Adolph Lange’s diary, and how it was smuggled out of East Germany.

Some wonderful timepieces were presented.

My favourite the platinum Lange 31, we were intrigued to discover from Joanna that the Lange 31 is designed to stop at 32 days, but could run for several more days.

The Datograph’s were the talk of the night and I suspect that the Lange staff were quietly impressed by the number of owners in Australia. The old versus the slightly larger new version with the power reserve above 6 o’clock.

I was so entranced in the moment that I forgot to take more food pictures apart from the entre. All I can say that the three course menu was blissful and I loved the slow cooked (48hrs) beef check.

Since the re launch in 1990 A. Lange & Sohne’s astonishing journey continues to gather strength globally despite the fact that the German based manufacturer limits production to around 6000 pieces per year.

We all know that the marketing hype can only get you so far and that ultimately the human recognition of quality is universal transcending cultural and geographic barriers.