Wilhelm Schmid On What It Takes To Uphold The Stringent Standards
CROWN Singapore|Issue 3 - 2021
Against the backdrop of his “most challenging years” at the company, A. Lange & Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid reflects on what it takes to uphold the stringent standards that have made the German brand a connoisseurs’ favourite
Alvin Wong
Wilhelm Schmid On What It Takes To Uphold The Stringent Standards

Amid the trials and the tribulations that have rocked the watch industry the past two years, Wilhelm Schmid and, to a large extent, the company he oversees, have projected a sense of calm and consistency. Despite navigating production stops and starts at its manufacture in Glashütte, and interruptions to its global retail network, A. Lange & Söhne appears to be forging ahead with remarkable poise, if its new watches are anything to go by.

This year, Lange collectors have been thrilled by a wide-ranging selection that includes a technical delight (Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar), a super-rare artisanal complication (Cabaret Tourbillon Handwerkskunst), as well as regal updates to iconic models ranging from the Little Lange 1 to the Triple Spilt. But to say that everything is business as usual would be stretching things a bit.

For Schmid, who is entering his eleventh year at the helm of Lange, this probably wasn’t the kind of milestone anniversary that he had anticipated. “The past 18 months were probably the toughest in my professional life,” he admits.

The travel and social restrictions, especially, was tough on a brand like Lange, which thrives on personal relations with its customers.With the proximity comes the trust. If you only produce about 5,500 watches a year, this is something that we need to have,” Schmid explains.

This story is from the Issue 3 - 2021 edition of CROWN Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Issue 3 - 2021 edition of CROWN Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CROWN SINGAPOREView All
Luminox Introduces The Pacific Diver Adventure
CROWN Singapore

Luminox Introduces The Pacific Diver Adventure

Luminox introduces the Pacific Diver Adventure that combines the brand’s penchant for robustness with a bit of shine

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Irresistible Chimes From Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reversible Icon
CROWN Singapore

Irresistible Chimes From Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reversible Icon

Irresistible chimes from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s reversible icon

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Chopard L.U.C's First Automatic Flying Tourbillon
CROWN Singapore

Chopard L.U.C's First Automatic Flying Tourbillon

A gorgeous rendition of Chopard L.U.C’s first automatic flying tourbillon on the occasion of the Manufacture’s 25th anniversary

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
TAG Heuer Updates The Iconic Carrera Collection With Time-And-Date-Only Models
CROWN Singapore

TAG Heuer Updates The Iconic Carrera Collection With Time-And-Date-Only Models

TAG Heuer updates the iconic Carrera collection with time-and-date-only models

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Three Of A. Lange & Söhne's Most Unique Innovations Come Together
CROWN Singapore

Three Of A. Lange & Söhne's Most Unique Innovations Come Together

Three of A. Lange & Söhne’s most unique innovations come together in the Zeitwerk Honeygold ‘Lumen’

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Throwback-Inspired Watch That You Need This Year
CROWN Singapore

Throwback-Inspired Watch That You Need This Year

Bvlgari’s Gerald Genta Arena Retrograde 'Mickey Mouse' is the only throwback-inspired watch you need this year

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Desire A Tourbillon For Your Collection?
CROWN Singapore

Desire A Tourbillon For Your Collection?

Desire a tourbillon for your collection? Best go to the source.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Vacheron Constantin Brings Collectors To Time And Again
CROWN Singapore

Vacheron Constantin Brings Collectors To Time And Again

Excellence in astronomical and calendar complications isn’t so much a pursuit, but a promised land that Vacheron Constantin brings collectors to time and again

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Hue The World
CROWN Singapore

Hue The World

Blancpain’s new vibrantly coloured collection with mechanical sass

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 4 - 2021
Vacheron Constantin Miniature Enamel Painting
CROWN Singapore

Vacheron Constantin Miniature Enamel Painting

How does one start to appreciate Vacheron Constantin’s piece-unique Les Cabinotiers Westminster Sonnerie – Tribute to Johannes Vermeer pocket watch?

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 4 - 2021