A. Lange & Söhne Donates The 1815 Chronograph For The Winner Of Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Event
3 min read
One of the world's most exclusive events for rare historic vehicles is the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. This year's edition of the annual international automobile competition on Lake Como will take place from May 19th through May 21st. Since 2012, A. Lange & Söhne has been a partner and has generously donated a timepiece as the "Best of Show" award this year too.
On the shores of Lake Como, a famous landmark where realistic engine noises and animated conversations fill the background. Participants were hand-picked, so the field was elite. On the third weekend of May, in Cernobbio, northern Italy, some of the most fascinating vehicles of all time will arrive and, once again, stop those present in their tracks. For three days, the nominated classics compete for the attention of the jury and the public at this prestigious and historically significant competition for historic automobiles and motorcycles. This year's event is being hosted by the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and BMW Group Classic and features eight different classes spanning the entire history of automobiles.
The enduring allure of luxury goods such as speedy automobiles and precise timepieces
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este provides the perfect ambiance for A. Lange & Söhne to showcase their horological masterpieces. If one delves deeper, one will find that there are many parallels between mechanical timepieces and classic vehicles. When people are free to speak their minds, strike out on their own, and make the most of their time, it's clear they share a common interest. A. Lange & Söhne has always been known for its pioneering spirit. More than 175 years ago, founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange saw his dream of making the sleepy town of Glashütte the center of German fine watchmaking come to fruition.
After Germany's reunification, his great-grandson Walter Lange carried on the family business, using the same blend of old-world craftsmanship and cutting-edge engineering to pioneer new areas of watchmaking.
The winner will receive a unique piece
In particular, the manufacture caliber L951.5, with its column-wheel control, snail for the precise jumping minute counter, and refined flyback function, exemplifies the close relationship between motorsport and timekeeping. The white gold 1815 CHRONOGRAPH by A. Lange & Söhne was made for the winner of the Trofeo BMW Group "Best of Show" and is powered by the same manually wound movement that was introduced in 2010. The Concorso coat of arms, engraved by hand on the cuvette's hinge, sets this chronograph apart from any other.
On Sunday night, Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of Lange, will hand over the trophy to the winner of the competition. “Like the works of art on wheels exhibited here, the timepiece combines classic design with masterful mechanics. It is a sign of our admiration for automotive works of art that were way ahead of their time, and their owners, who passionately take care to preserve the timeless elegance of the mechanics”, explains Wilhelm Schmid.
