Last weekend, the Hampton Court Palace was the place to be. Just outside of London and once the home of King Henry VIII, the grounds hosted one of the most prestigious specialty car events, the Concours of Elegance. The show is a carefully selected display of unique, high-quality cars that more often than not, were built entirely by hand. For A. Lange & Söhne, this emphasis on craftsmanship and rarity was also the main motivation to become a partner of the event many years ago.
The understated style and class that is so classically British (but is also not at all lost on the Germans) is embodied by the cars that were invited to participate in the Concours of Elegance. Among them was Porsche’s 917K, the car with which the brand won its very first overall victory at Le Mans in 1970. A group of beautiful Packard Twelves, all from a single owner, made an appearance, too, along with a stunning Maserati A6G Zagato.
Even the parking lot of the Concours of Elegance was an attraction of its own, as many car enthusiasts came with their own (exotic) rides. Joining in the show as well were many of the owners’ clubs that Great Brittain. This meant rows and rows of Jaguars and Aston Martins, one even more stunning than the next.
A. Lange & Söhne brought the same passion to the event, welcoming guests and visitors to its booth, where not only the current collection was on display, but also a watchmaker from the manufacture enthusiastically explained the hallmark features of the brand. The goal was clearly not to sell but to delight.
In previous years, A. Lange & Söhne has made a tradition of awarding the ‘Best of Show’ a celebratory watch. Breaking slightly from tradition this year, the brand created a unique ‘Hampton Court Edition‘ of the 1815 Chronograph to be auctioned by Phillips in its upcoming Geneva Watch Auction XVI on November 6th, 2022. The proceeds will benefit The Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by Prince (now King) Charles that aims to help young people build the skill sets to pursue rewarding careers.
The white gold watch is set apart from the regular versions of the 1815 Chronograph by its black dial with sandstone numerals. They offer a stunning contrast with the silver hands and subdials. The hunter-style caseback is hand engraved with the Concours of Elegance logo. Underneath is the caliber L951.5, with its bridges made from German silver, blued screws, and gold chatons, as well as the column wheel for the precise operation of the chronograph.
By auctioning the watch, A. Lange & Söhne not only creates funds to do good but also gives collectors and connoisseurs the chance to obtain a ‘piece unique’ of the brand, which is a rare opportunity. Almost as rare as the cars attending the Concours of Elegance, of which the stunning 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’ was awarded ‘Best of Show.’
To learn more, visit A. Lange & Söhne, here.
