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.
Denne historien er fra Autumn 2020-utgaven av World of Watches.
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Denne historien er fra Autumn 2020-utgaven av World of Watches.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EASY COMPANY
Hamilton launches the new Khaki Field Quartz collection that takes its inspiration from the G.S.watches of the 1960s.
SPIRITED AWAY
The year of the dragon is not yet over and Franck Muller's new watch will remind you once again why this year is a great Chinese zodiac year for watches.
LUNAR TIES
Blancpain resumes its deep-seated romance with the moon through the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune in black ceramic.
USEFUL BREAKTHROUGH
With the Elux LAB-ID PAM01800, Panerai has delivered the smartest and brightest dive watch ever made.
SHIELD KING
Seiko reveals a new take on a King Seiko classic, the KS1969, thus bringing back an intriguing shape to the collection.
FRENCH EXPRESS
Louis Vuitton extends their new philosophy of watchmaking unveiling the dressier Escale collection.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Patek Philippe brings their patented system to synchronise the date display on a world time watch to their regular collection.
APROPOS COMPLICATIONS
A watch with complications appeals to different sorts of collectors, and is quite different to a complex watch. The editors of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand discuss the virtues of all sorts of complications and considering when more is really better…
KEEPING IT REAL
Technology proves to be a solid tool for luxury watch brands in their fight against mounting cases of fake timepieces and watch thefts.
GLOWUP
A brightly lumed dial in pitch-black darkness is equal parts joy and fascination, have you ever wondered where your Super-LumiNova comes from?