A. Lange & Söhne at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022
A. Lange & Söhne will once again be present at the Concorso d’Eleganza, where the most beautiful classic cars will be shown on the grounds of the Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como from 20 to 22 May 2022. The Saxon watch manufactory has been a partner of this prestigious classic car competition since 2012. Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid will again award this year’s winner of the Best of Show category with a unique timepiece. Just like the historic rarities on wheels, the one-of-a-kind 1815 CHRONOGRAPH in white gold is an expression of the perfection, elegance, and the highest level of mechanical sophistication.
The classic cars are hand-picked, the number of participants limited and the backdrop simply breathtaking: the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is steeped in history and one of the most exclusive events for classic cars and motorbikes. The event, which attracts fans and collectors from across the world every year, dates back to 1929 when one of the first car shows, the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este, took place in picturesque Cernobbio in northern Italy. Back then, it was new cars that were in the spotlight, but today the car show sparkles with a unique variety of historic treasures that reflect the technical achievements of the past century and invite us all to take a trip into the past.
A class of its own
A particular attraction of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is also the venue itself: once the summer residence of an Italian cardinal, the manor house is situated in magnificent parkland right on the banks of Lake Como. Converted into a luxury hotel in 1873, the Villa d’Este will be celebrating its 150th season in 2022. A. Lange & Söhne is also celebrating a milestone: this year marks the tenth time that the traditional Glashütte manufactory will be a partner of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Following the parade on Sunday, Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid will hand over a unique timepiece to the winner of the Best of Show category. This year, the award known since 2012 as the Como Edition will be a special edition of the 1815 CHRONOGRAPH in white gold that expresses the manufactory’s appreciation of the car owner’s commitment and the several hundred hours that have been invested in its restoration and maintenance. With a complex chronograph mechanism, the one-of-a-kind piece pays tribute to the historical link between motor sport and timekeeping. As with every Lange watch, the 306 parts of the calibre have been finished with the greatest care by masters of their craft. The movement is also assembled twice to meet the highest of expectations. It takes nine days just to engrave the Concorso crest relief onto the solid gold hinged cuvette – a decoration which is painstakingly brought to life by hand – millimetre by millimetre.
A fascinating liaison
“Classic cars are more than just a means of transport,” says Wilhelm Schmid. “The more you familiarise yourself with the intricacies of the drive, bodywork and history, the stronger your personal relationship to the car becomes. This is also true of a Lange watch, which is not worn just to tell the time.” As he says, it is the craftsmanship, aesthetics, heritage, and the quest for innovation that link classic cars with classic watches. “With its unique atmosphere, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este brings that passion for technology and the exceptional to life,” adds the Lange CEO. “This is why we’re so pleased to be here with like-minded people to share our enthusiasm for the elegance of mechanics.”