TAMAS  L’ORANT  TL: 022

Mechanism: A. Lange&Sohne ~1942~

A watch that survived the Second World War and helped its owner, Joseph to rebuild Berlin.

In 1917, this A. Lange und Söhne watch was sold from the manufacture in Glashütte to the Conrad Felsing Company that resided in Berlin.

It happened there that this beautiful timepiece became the first and only watch of a young man called Joseph Grahn.

He was the son of a wealthy architect and received the A. Lange und Söhne as a present for his 18 th birthday. Joseph’s father admired the Lange manufacture as they were a family company – Lange und Söhne means Lange and sons – and he also planned to establish his own architectural company together with his son.

Unfortunately, the Second World War deprived this family of numerous assets; although they did not participate in the war. During the bombings of Berlin, a substantial number of the Grahn buildings were damaged, also the glass and case of the A. Lange und Söhne broke; however, its mechanism remained intact.

Joseph held on to his family heritage. He finished his architectural studies and continued what his father had started even after his death; Joseph helped to rebuild the city after the horrors of the war. Even though the watch was broken, he did not get his A. Lange und Söhne repaired; he wanted this remnant of a past era of his life to continuously encourage and inspire him to continue his father’s work. He wore it proudly with its broken case until the end of his life.

Now, this watch has been restored to its former glory; just like the buildings of Berlin. The heart of this watch is a true masterpiece, a survivor of two wars, which served as the inspiration for a man, who, just like Mr. Tamas Lorant, brought through many pieces of the past for the present moment. Now it is your turn to take inspiration from this watch.

The story gets ticking again!