The editor of this journal found a little-known truth about A. Lange & Söhne not too long ago: it has a novel machine within the basement of the manufacture in Glashütte that no different agency has. Developed by the model and the college in Dresden, that is successfully a washer, but it surely doesn’t maintain the workers in pristine white overcoats. As an alternative of garments, this particular washer cleans German silver components. All this invitations loads of questions, the primary of which must be what precisely is German silver anyway? Nicely, it’s not silver and it’s not actually German, however it’s a hallmark of Glashütte watchmaking, and of A. Lange & Söhne particularly.
To start with, what we name German silver has quite a lot of names, of which these are just some: nickel silver, maillechort, argentan, albata and alpaca. A few of these is likely to be acquainted to look at nerds, however how about “pakfong,” or maybe “paktong?” This title hints at the place this alloy was first used: Qing Dynasty China. It was recognized in Europe by the sixteenth century, because of an aggressive commerce within the materials to be used in making cutlery and, finally, in micromechanics. We all know from A. Lange & Söhne’s meticulous information that Ferdinand Adolph Lange (pictured proper) was utilizing German silver for pocket watch calibre components by the 1850s.
As you may know, brass and metal had been already extensively utilized in watchmaking at this level, however F.A. Lange had good causes for selecting German silver. Extra on {that a} bit later as a result of we nonetheless should let you know why the alloy is so-named. By the 18th century, producers had realised that the fabric imported from China was actually an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc; right this moment the formulation in industrial purposes is copper (60 %), nickel (20 %) and zinc (20 %), and it nonetheless bears a putting, if superficial, resemblance to silver. The enterprise of creating this alloy was a deeply German affair, with foundries in Suhl, Thuringia in a position to make an approximation by 1770. In 1823, the German Confederation (the successor state to the Holy Roman Empire) sought to excellent and standardize the manufacturing of German silver. It held a contest to attain this aim, with the producer Berndorf finally changing into well-known for its model of German silver, trademarked as Alpacca.
Coming again to Glashütte and F.A. Lange, the legendary watchmaker recognised the virtues of German silver for his actions. The alloy was simply as simple to brighten as brass however marginally more durable, whereas additionally being extra immune to tarnishing and corrosion. It additionally has a pure sheen to it, and thus it didn’t must be gilded as brass did. Like brass, German silver additionally develops a patina over time, however in a gentler and extra elegant method. Briefly, the fabric proved excellent to be the canvas – the now-famous three-quarter plate – for A. Lange & Söhne to actually shine. A. Lange & Söhne makes use of untreated German silver for its components and these are simply blemished, particularly on the machining stage. It additionally signifies that the watchmakers should be additional cautious, therefore the manufacture is obliged to do its well-known double-assembly of actions.
Tino Bobe, Director of the Manufacture, explains why the model goes to such lengths: “German silver is a part of all our manufacture calibres, amounting to greater than 70 which were developed and constructed for the reason that re-establishment of A. Lange & Söhne. Therefore, its constant utilization is typical of the Lange means of crafting watches. It underscores our dedication to by no means take the best path however all the time the one which leads us to one of the best end result. For the advantage of high quality, aesthetics, and performance of our actions, we
are ready to take a position the utmost artisanal effort – with a view to German silver but additionally far past.”
This text first appeared on WOW’s Spring 2024 difficulty.
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