Watchmaker A Lange & Söhne boasts a rather interesting history by virtue of the politics that tore through its place of birth, Germany. Founded in 1854 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, an innovator responsible for advances such as the three-quarter plate and the use of millimetres as a form of measurement in watchmaking, the brand was later run by the second and third generations of the family. Immediately after World War II, A Lange & Söhne’s workshops in Glashütte were caught in a bombing raid and completely destroyed. By 1948, the Lange family was expropriated, and the Soviet administration nationalised the company’s remaining property.

It was only after the fall of the Iron Curtain that things would start looking up for the Lange family. Walter Lange, Adolph’s great-grandson, was able to return to Germany and continue his family’s tradition in the field of watchmaking. The A Lange & Söhne brand was re-registered in 1990, and in 1994, its first watches in over a century saw the light of day. Under the ownership of the Richemont Group, a deal secured in 2000, this historic brand continues to manifest Adolph’s innovative approach to haute horlogerie while retaining a unique personality in the world of high watchmaking.

House of Lange is a new experiential exhibition that aims to bring this history to life for fans of the brand — and of the watchmaking industry in general — in an interactive, engaging format. Held in Kuala Lumpur for the first time, the exhibition is a unique chance to discover the mastery that defines Saxon precision watchmaking, especially the role Walter Lange and A Lange & Söhne has played in reviving the industry. Located in The Starhill’s foyer area, which faces Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the House of Lange invites visitors to discover the manufacture’s mechanical masterpieces and eventful history.

“There is no better way to learn more about our manufacture than to experience our timepieces up close and hear them ticking,” says Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid. “The one-of-a-kind showcase in Kuala Lumpur allows us to engage directly with watch enthusiasts and provide insights into our world of precision watchmaking. Our display in The Starhill is both a symbol of a steadily growing community of collectors in the region and an expression of our appreciation for our customers, who enable us to preserve and evolve our craftsmanship.”

Following its ambition to “never stand still” — even though the village of Glashütte is so quiet, it does feel like time does stand still — A Lange & Söhne consistently ventures into uncharted territories of watchmaking, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Over the years, this has led to several new developments and inventions in terms of design and engineering, such as the off-centre dial layout of the Lange 1 or technical patents for several mechanisms in the Zeitwerk. Lange’s mechanical digital watch features a jumping numerals mechanism and a constant-force escapement that provides the escapement with a consistent flow of power, regardless of whether the watch is fully wound or nearly unwound. However, regardless of the design or technical specifics of a model, all Lange watches share a common feature: their movements are lavishly decorated and twice assembled by hand.

This engineering genius is put on display at the House of Lange through a curated selection of timepieces, including historical pocket watches, the original Lange 1 from the first collection of the new era presented in 1994, and more recent models such as the Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen. In addition, novelties that were introduced this year are also set to make an appearance at House of Lange: the Lange 1 Time Zone in platinum, the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar and the Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar, which was recently unveiled at the Watches and Wonders showcase in Shanghai.

Visitors will also be able to experience the watchmaking intricacies for which A Lange & Söhne is valued. Throughout the day at selected times, a watchmaker or an engraver will be demonstrating the high levels of craftsmanship and excellence practised at the manufacture. Furthermore, numerous exclusive exhibits are presented that make a visit a real experience: a history wall; enlarged models of individual components (the engraved balance cocks, for example, and the three-quarter plate); inspirational quotes by Lange family members; and a holographic display that allows visitors to digitally inspect selected timepieces.