Ferdinand Adolph Lange was born 200 years ago, on 18 February 1815. This inventor, entrepreneur and politician is regarded as the founding father of the precision watchmaking industry in Saxony. A multimedia overview of one of the major economic pioneers of the 19th century.
This gifted watchmaker, whose pocket watches are still very much in demand today, dedicated his life to establishing a watchmaking manufactory in a region with little infrastructure, thus laying the cornerstone of the precision watchmaking industry in Saxony. The video shows some of the major milestones of his life.
Nine Innovations of Ferdinand Adolph Lange
Innovation 1: The introduction of the metric system. This picture shows Lange's journey- and workbook, in which he recorded detailed calculations for each individual gear-wheel size, using French lignes as units. On returning from his travels, he started to standardise on the metric system in his watchmaking, instead of the French ligne units that had previously been the norm.
Innovation 2: Three-quarter plate. Lange developed the three-quarter plate over a period of many years. It improved the stability of the movement. This distinctive component became one of the characteristic features of his pocket watches. Today it still forms a major component of the watches made by A. Lange & Söhne.
Innovation 3: Precise measuring instruments. Tools such as this dixième gauge invented by Lange made it possible to determine depth, length and external diameter with even more precision – to an accuracy of a tenth of a millimetre. The measuring results are shown on an arc-shaped scale by a metal arm.
Innovation 4: Dial micrometer. This dial gauge was used to measure filigreed components that required particular precision, such as arbors and pivots. The component to be measured is clamped between the two jaws of the dial micrometer, which then measures with an accuracy of one hundredth of a millimetre.
Innovation 5: Lathe. Lange introduced the watchmaker's lathe to replace the traditional rotating arc. A pedal could be used to turn circular parts such as pins, pinions, wheels and discs at a constant speed – ensuring high-precision manufacturing.
Innovation 6: Crown winding. This innovative technology replaced winding by means of a key, making it much easier to wind up the watch. An example is this early pocket watch (No. 1340), which Lange and his brother-in-law, Bernhard Gutkaes, produced in around 1850.
Innovation 7: The jumping second. The “seconde morte” function makes the position of the seconds hand easier to read. Lange developed a mechanism for an independent central-seconds hand that jumped every second. His idea was further developed by Lange's sons and a patent application was filed in 1877.
Innovation 8: The design of wheels and pinions. To reduce friction and thereby minimise abrasion, Lange calculated and designed the form of the teeth on gear-wheels and pinions to optimise their interaction.
Innovation 9: Decorating the watch. By implementing high quality standards for any watch he made, Lange was following the motto of his teacher, Gutkaes: a watch must be perfect – from each individual component to the case. Fine engraving, guilloché work, finishing and polishing of his pocket watches still bear witness to this today.
Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Facts and Figures
6.700
thalers (including 1,120 for tools) were awarded to him by the Saxon Ministry of the Interior as starting capital for his company
18
years was the period for which Lange was mayor of Glashütte (1848-1866); during his time in office he oversaw the construction of numerous streets, bridges and river-bank reinforcements
15
apprentices were appointed by Lange when he established his company in Glashütte in 1845
9
metres is the length of the three-second pendulum of the house clock installed at the family domain by Lange in 1873. The pendulum still swings precisely today
7
patents were directly awarded to Lange, while his sons filed applications for many more
6 ¼
hours is the time a stage coach took from Dresden to Glashütte at that time
4
years is the time he spent with the watchmaker Joseph Thaddäus Winnerl in Paris during his years of travelling
„The entire pursuit of a watchmaker should be the perfection of each and every watch.“
— Ferdinand Adolph Lange, founding father of the precision watchmaking industry in Saxony
