Cover Singapore Watch Club founder Tom Chng and Tatler Singapore's watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan, in conversation at A Lange & Söhne's Ion Orchard boutique
Singapore Watch Club founder Tom Chng and Tatler Singapore's watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan, in conversation at A Lange & Söhne's Ion Orchard boutique
1 / 1
From an insightful fireside conversation on German watchmaking to a rare live engraving demonstration by a master engraver, guests enjoyed an intimate evening celebrating the craftsmanship and innovation behind A Lange & Söhne
Guests gathered at A Lange & Söhne’s Ion Orchard boutique for an intimate evening celebrating the art of German watchmaking, as Tatler Singapore hosted a fireside conversation with watch collector and Singapore Watch Club founder Tom Chng. Moderated by Tatler Singapore's watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan, the discussion explored the enduring appeal of craftsmanship, the balance between tradition and innovation, and what continues to draw collectors to the Glashütte manufacture.
Complementing the conversation was a rare opportunity to witness one of the manufacture's most celebrated crafts firsthand. Throughout the evening, guests watched Robert Arnold—one of just six master engravers at A Lange & Söhne—demonstrate the intricate art of hand-engraving the balance cock, one of the manufacture's most recognisable signatures. Working under a microscope, Arnold guided guests through each stage of the painstaking process, explaining how every engraved flourish is executed entirely by hand. As each balance cock is individually engraved, no two are ever exactly alike, making every movement subtly unique.
In case you missed it: Patek Philippe pushes three grand complications into new territory
Above Robert Arnold, master engraver at A Lange & Söhne, demonstrating the engraving of a balance cock
Robert Arnold, master engraver at A Lange & Söhne, demonstrating the engraving of a balance cock
1 / 1
The live demonstration provided a fitting introduction to a conversation that centred on the value of craftsmanship in an increasingly technology-driven world. Drawing on decades of collecting experience, Chng reflected on what first attracted him to A Lange & Söhne and why the manufacture continues to occupy a distinctive place within modern watchmaking. Rather than focusing solely on rarity or prestige, he spoke about the qualities that reveal themselves over time—from meticulous movement finishing and thoughtful engineering to the small details that reward close study.
The conversation also examined the distinctive philosophy of German watchmaking and how it differs from its Swiss counterpart. While Swiss manufactures are often celebrated for their artistic flair and long-established heritage, German watchmaking has earned an equally devoted following through its emphasis on precision engineering, functional clarity and restrained design. These qualities, Chng noted, are reflected throughout A Lange & Söhne's approach, where aesthetic decisions are closely intertwined with technical purpose.
Above Fireside chat between Singapore Watch Club founder Tom Chng and Tatler Singapore's watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan
Fireside chat between Singapore Watch Club founder Tom Chng and Tatler Singapore's watches and jewellery editor, Annabel Tan
1 / 1
One of the evening's central themes was the relationship between tradition and innovation. Chng highlighted examples such as the Zeitwerk, whose mechanically driven digital display reimagines how time is presented while remaining firmly rooted in traditional mechanical watchmaking. The discussion also touched on the manufacture's tourbillons and perpetual calendars, illustrating how A Lange & Söhne approaches innovation not by reinventing established complications, but by refining them—improving precision, legibility and usability while remaining faithful to centuries-old craftsmanship.
The recently unveiled Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar "Lumen" served as another compelling example. Bringing together two of haute horlogerie's most revered complications with the maison's signature semi-transparent luminous dial, the timepiece demonstrates how contemporary design can enhance, rather than replace, traditional watchmaking principles.
Following the fireside chat and audience Q&A, guests were invited to continue exploring A Lange & Söhne's timepieces while enjoying refreshments and further conversations with fellow enthusiasts. Arnold's engraving demonstration continued throughout the evening, giving guests additional opportunities to observe the remarkable level of precision and patience required to create one of the smallest yet most distinctive components of every A Lange & Söhne movement.
Keith Lee, Azel Ang and Derrel Tan
1 / 8
Topics
Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
