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In keeping with our tradition to never stand still, we have some surprises in store. Our hero product will be another prime example of A. Lange & Söhne’s unique approach to explore the realm of complications. When you visit our booth you cannot miss the oversized model of it.

As the most important information and order show for the fine-watchmaking industry the SIHH is always linked with high expectations. We are well prepared and anticipate that our new timepieces will strike the right chord with our discerning customers. 

The market for fine mechanical timepieces continues to be multifaceted. I expect that the two major currents – the classical and the complicated line – will come up with exciting new developments. 

Like in previous years, we will start delivering the first new models a few weeks after the fair. Due to labour-intensive handicraft production and our uncompromising standards of quality, our horological complications may take a little longer.

With its sophisticated watch culture, the region plays an increasingly important role for A. Lange & Söhne. The fact that two of our 16 worldwide boutiques are located in the region speaks for itself. 

In the last few years we have reached our goal to achieve a good global distribution of own retail locations that offer a representative collection and expert advice in the major shopping conurbations of our key markets. As our handcrafted timepieces are only available in limited quantities we can only carefully go ahead with new boutique openings worldwide. But the Middle East region is still on our radar, so it remains exciting! 

Collectors in the Middle East are not that much different from collectors in other parts of the world. They are part of a global community of watch aficionados who admire the technical and artisanal finesse of our timepieces. With most of them we have established close and trust-based relationships.

After a historical 2015, in which we celebrated the 200th birthday of our namesake Ferdinand Adolph Lange we will increasingly turn to the present and future. Our new manufactory building and the 2016 collection provide an ideal basis for this. By tradition, the strength of A. Lange & Söhne lies in its ability to explore new avenues. We will raise the awareness to this important aspect of our brand identity.

As a matter of fact, we do not communicate sales figures. However, 2015 was an excellent year for us and we expect the positive trend to continue in 2016.

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In 2016, an interesting suite of horological developments highlights the disruptive ideas, independent attitude and savoir-faire that set Audemars Piguet apart as a dynamic force in watchmaking today. The Royal Oak Concept SUPERSONNERIE is presented in a super-light titanium 44mm case, this exclusive-production timepiece is precision-made to awaken sound. Supported with a Hand-wound Manufacture Calibre 2937, the watch brings unprecedented acoustic performance, exceptionally refined sound quality and the clear, harmonic tone of traditional pocket-watches to a contemporary minute repeater wristwatch. 

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Vacheron Constantin reinvented one of its iconic collections, Overseas. The new Overseas releases includes five new models (12 references) equipped with Manufacture movements – including three new calibres – embody the new generation of self-winding timepieces inspired by the spirit of travel. All models, whether in steel or gold, from the simplest to the most complicated, bear the Hallmark of Geneva and are fitted with easily interchangeable bracelets/straps, a guarantee of comfort anywhere in the world.  The Overseas Ultra-thin Perpetual Calendar displays its technical complexity with the collection’s characteristically understated air of distinction. This timepiece bearing the Hallmark of Geneva certification and available exclusively in Vacheron Constantin boutiques houses the emblematic Vacheron Constantin Calibre 1120 QP, an ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement equipped with a perpetual calendar complete with moon phases. This function calls for impressive feats of miniaturisation in order to adjust to calendar irregularities while requiring no adjustment until the year 2100, as well as to accommodate its 276 components within a space barely 4.05 mm thick.

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The design and the main characteristics of the new Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic came directly from the 1940s but their modernity is such that the watch has an absolutely contemporary style. The dial of the new Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic is offered in white. Its graphic design maximises the dial’s clarity and legibility, with the large black figures corresponding to the hour markers and the small seconds dial at nine o’clock, a characteristic of Pieria watches of the 1940s. On the back of the Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic is a round window with a sapphire crystal through which the automatic P.4000 movement, entirely made in the Officine Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel, can be admired.

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Van Cleef & Arpels has recreated the real lightness of nature with a brand new movement, featuring retrograde hours, variable speed minutes and animation on demand. The Lady Arpels™ Ronde des Papillons Poetic Complications™ watch captures time within a heavenly tableau that is constantly changing. Beneath the dial, the retrograde hour, variable speed minutes and animation on demand movement developed exclusively for the Lady Arpels Ronde des Papillons watch is highly sophisticated. Virtuoso watchmaking expertise is applied to a ballet of butterflies moving at different speeds. In a one-hour cycle, they accelerate and then slow down again. To measure the minutes, each butterfly appears in turn between the clouds, then disappears to make way for its successor. In keeping with the Maison’s retrograde displays, the hours are indicated by the swallow, which points the tip of its wing at the twelve consecutive hours before returning to its initial position.

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H2 Tradition is the first HYT with classic guilloché finishes, and first HYT with delicate lacquered dials and blued hands. However, underneath this mantle of light, the H2 Tradition has both feet firmly in the 21st century. It retains its hydro-mechanical aesthetic, thanks to the capillary with the blue fluid moving forwards as the hours pass. The finish of the H2 Tradition also required a number of adjustments. To allow for a diamond guilloché finish in rhodium-plated nickel silver on both sides, the main plate, for example, had to be made slightly thicker, which in turn meant new tolerances had to be calculated for the movement. All the bridges have been modified, reconstructed, polished, hand-beveled. As with all HYT's creations, the H2 Tradition is best appreciated in terms of perspective and volume.