SOUND THINKING

A. Lange & Söhne Director of Product Development Anthony de Haas regales us with his usual wit as he explains the 2020 novelties

- ASHOK SOMAN

Watchmaking firms have a lot of fast talking to do whenever economic headwinds gather strength. Obviously, the pandemic has brought on a storm that might produce long-term changes in how we live, work and play. It even cancelled the Swiss watch fairs this year and changed the schedule of new releases - both of which typically only happen in the event of a global conflict, like World War 2. In times of severe uncertainty, the grand old watchmaking firms turn to the tried and tested, and so do magazines like this one. Our fortunes are inexorably linked, you see. No matter our circumstances though, it is always a pleasure to have a nice long conversation with old friends in the trade. That is exactly what we found in our chat with veteran A. Lange & Söhne Director of Product Development Anthony de Haas.

Held as it was in the depths of our season of discontent - otherwise known as the Circuit Breaker - we had to be content with a Zoom call. In a season of firsts, it was gratifying to see de Haas in his office at the manufacture in Glashütte. Everyone at the manufacture was healthy, and so was everyone at de Haas’ home. “Health is what’s important now,” said de Haas in sombre tones not usually associated with watch talk. He was also coming to grips with working from home, which he did not find inspiring, and handling the brand’s first digital-only launch, which was an experience for everyone. On the occasion of this chat, it is fair to say that neither of us probably wanted to talk novelties. Not right then. It is not as if there were more pressing things to do - interviews like this one are standard fare for us. But at that moment, going about business as normal seemed disconnected from reality.