foversta
[PuristSPro Moderator]
20814
A visit at the Hausmann Boutique Via del Corso
Hausmann is a very prestigious dealer with 3 boutiques located in Rome. The history of this dealer started in 1794 when Giovanni Romano Ricci opened a workshop at the Piazza Colonna, in the Palazzo Piombino (the current location of the Galleria Alberto Sordi). Then the son of Giovanni, Innocenzo ran the very prosperous business with the help of a partner, an expert watchmaker with German origins, Ernst Hausmann. When Innocenzo retired without any child, Ernst Hausmann became the owner of the workshop. Due to the huge works which took place in Rome after the unification of Italy, the shop moved in 1892 at the number 406, Via del Corso... where it is still today.
The historic place, 406, Via del Corso:
Hausmann inaugurated in 2001 a new point of sale at Via Condotti, maybe the most luxurious street of Rome. And during the last quarter of 2010, the boutique located via del Babuino was opened. 3 boutiques in the historical center of Rome, in a quite small perimeter but with different purposes. The Condotti and Babuino boutiques embody the contemporary history of Hausmann while the Corso boutique is more focussed on the tradition: it is a bit a timeless place and I had the feeling during my visit that nothing has really changed from the very first years: a very classy and traditional boutique decorated with beautiful clocks and an impressive chandelier.
There is a big contrast between the very busy life of the Via del Corso and the quiet atmosphere of the Boutique and for me, the visit at the Boutique was perfect to get my breath back before returning in the Roman crowd of this shopping area.
Actually, I had one idea in my mind. I knew that Hausmann was one of the main Lange&Söhne AD in Italy and I remembered very well having seen some watches at the Condotti shop several years ago including a Lange 1 with a solid caseback and an anthracite dial made especially for them. So I wished to see again some special Lange watches. And I was not disappointed, the Corso Boutique could present me 3 watches which are not anymore in the current catalogue and which share two common points: a platinum case and a big date display.
Being able to handle these watches was for me a way to come back to the years let's say 2003-2006... and I have to confess that it was for me the first opportunity to put on my wrist a Grand Arkade. Because these 3 watches I'm talking about were the Grand Arkade, the Langematik (37mm with date) and the Grand Langematik. I already dedicated posts to the last two watches and I will do the same about the Grand Arkade. But I would like to give you some first feelings to accompany the pictures of the thread.
First of all, the Grand Arkade is a very rare bird. It is rare because it was present in the Lange catalogue only between 2003 and 2006. And it is also rare due to its case shape. If you remember well, the platinum version was available with two dials: silver rhodium or black (but only during its last year for this version). How can you easily make the difference between the Arkade and the Grand Arkade on a pic if you can feel the size? Have a look at the dial and if there are figures on the top or on the bottom of the dial, it is a Grand Arkade. Other trick: the Arkade has a visible pusher on the right side of the case while the Grand Arkade uses the same button than the Cabaret (don't forget your toothpick!).
We often forget it but the Arkade (I would say, the classic version) was one of the first 4 watches introduced by Lange in 1994. So this case shape shouldn't appear to be so unusual, at least in the Lange context. But as a Cabaret owner, I can feel the difference. If you compare the Grand Arkade with the Lange rectangular watch, the biggest gap between them can be found in the case width, the Grand Arkade being much broader (29,5mm vs 25,5mm).
As usual with Lange, handwind movement L911.4 (this reference gives the proof that it was one of the first Lange movements) is very easy to wind and it is a true pleasure to turn the crown.
Following Lange principles, the L911.4 follows the shape of the case. Due to the fact that it is the same movement which powers the Arkade, the back bezel is much thicker in the context of the Grand Arkade which allows Lange to engrave letters with a very refined way.
I was seduced by the timeless charm of this Grand Arkade and its subtle originality even if I think that I prefer the Cabaret on a long run. So as I wrote it before, I will come back to it with a dedicated post.
The Langematik duet was also a good surprise especially with the same case material and the same dial colour.
The Langematik with its 37mm case is a very balanced watch and the big date display is well integrated on the dial. The indexes and the way "Sax-O-Mat" is written on the dial give personality to the watch which is much more complext than it appears at first glance.
Of course, the key element of the Langematik is the movement L921.4 with its 3/4 rotor. A true beauty which makes me regret day after day its lower presence in the current catalogue.
How can we recognize the Grand Langematik on pictures? It is easy like 1-2-3, just have the look at the indexes and when they are not put the same way on the top half and on the bottom half, it is a Grand Langematik. This is of course a designer trick to get a better dial balance due to the position of the big date display. Actually, the 40mm case houses the same movement than the 37mm watch what explains this choice.
Which version do I prefer? The 37mm is what I call a "Purist" watch: you can feel the harmony in each detail and the movement was created in priority for this case size. But I don't know, and maybe it is my not very logical side, I love the strange lay-out of the Grand Langematik dial. You don't see very often this type of indexes and the larger size seduces me here.
Anyway, both watches are really beautiful and they were not replaced, in my point of view, by any automatic watch of the current collection. Like the Grand Arkade, they said goodbye in 2006. It is the reason why I was happy to see them at Hausmann: they are a bit "vintage" Lange watches now (funny to say that, time is really flying fast...) and they make me think about the period when I bought my first Lange watch, a platinum 1815.
I would like to thank a lot the Hausmann staff and the Lange Italy team for the warm welcome.
The historic place, 406, Via del Corso:
Hausmann inaugurated in 2001 a new point of sale at Via Condotti, maybe the most luxurious street of Rome. And during the last quarter of 2010, the boutique located via del Babuino was opened. 3 boutiques in the historical center of Rome, in a quite small perimeter but with different purposes. The Condotti and Babuino boutiques embody the contemporary history of Hausmann while the Corso boutique is more focussed on the tradition: it is a bit a timeless place and I had the feeling during my visit that nothing has really changed from the very first years: a very classy and traditional boutique decorated with beautiful clocks and an impressive chandelier.
There is a big contrast between the very busy life of the Via del Corso and the quiet atmosphere of the Boutique and for me, the visit at the Boutique was perfect to get my breath back before returning in the Roman crowd of this shopping area.
Actually, I had one idea in my mind. I knew that Hausmann was one of the main Lange&Söhne AD in Italy and I remembered very well having seen some watches at the Condotti shop several years ago including a Lange 1 with a solid caseback and an anthracite dial made especially for them. So I wished to see again some special Lange watches. And I was not disappointed, the Corso Boutique could present me 3 watches which are not anymore in the current catalogue and which share two common points: a platinum case and a big date display.
Being able to handle these watches was for me a way to come back to the years let's say 2003-2006... and I have to confess that it was for me the first opportunity to put on my wrist a Grand Arkade. Because these 3 watches I'm talking about were the Grand Arkade, the Langematik (37mm with date) and the Grand Langematik. I already dedicated posts to the last two watches and I will do the same about the Grand Arkade. But I would like to give you some first feelings to accompany the pictures of the thread.
First of all, the Grand Arkade is a very rare bird. It is rare because it was present in the Lange catalogue only between 2003 and 2006. And it is also rare due to its case shape. If you remember well, the platinum version was available with two dials: silver rhodium or black (but only during its last year for this version). How can you easily make the difference between the Arkade and the Grand Arkade on a pic if you can feel the size? Have a look at the dial and if there are figures on the top or on the bottom of the dial, it is a Grand Arkade. Other trick: the Arkade has a visible pusher on the right side of the case while the Grand Arkade uses the same button than the Cabaret (don't forget your toothpick!).
We often forget it but the Arkade (I would say, the classic version) was one of the first 4 watches introduced by Lange in 1994. So this case shape shouldn't appear to be so unusual, at least in the Lange context. But as a Cabaret owner, I can feel the difference. If you compare the Grand Arkade with the Lange rectangular watch, the biggest gap between them can be found in the case width, the Grand Arkade being much broader (29,5mm vs 25,5mm).
As usual with Lange, handwind movement L911.4 (this reference gives the proof that it was one of the first Lange movements) is very easy to wind and it is a true pleasure to turn the crown.
Following Lange principles, the L911.4 follows the shape of the case. Due to the fact that it is the same movement which powers the Arkade, the back bezel is much thicker in the context of the Grand Arkade which allows Lange to engrave letters with a very refined way.
I was seduced by the timeless charm of this Grand Arkade and its subtle originality even if I think that I prefer the Cabaret on a long run. So as I wrote it before, I will come back to it with a dedicated post.
The Langematik duet was also a good surprise especially with the same case material and the same dial colour.
The Langematik with its 37mm case is a very balanced watch and the big date display is well integrated on the dial. The indexes and the way "Sax-O-Mat" is written on the dial give personality to the watch which is much more complext than it appears at first glance.
Of course, the key element of the Langematik is the movement L921.4 with its 3/4 rotor. A true beauty which makes me regret day after day its lower presence in the current catalogue.
How can we recognize the Grand Langematik on pictures? It is easy like 1-2-3, just have the look at the indexes and when they are not put the same way on the top half and on the bottom half, it is a Grand Langematik. This is of course a designer trick to get a better dial balance due to the position of the big date display. Actually, the 40mm case houses the same movement than the 37mm watch what explains this choice.
Which version do I prefer? The 37mm is what I call a "Purist" watch: you can feel the harmony in each detail and the movement was created in priority for this case size. But I don't know, and maybe it is my not very logical side, I love the strange lay-out of the Grand Langematik dial. You don't see very often this type of indexes and the larger size seduces me here.
Anyway, both watches are really beautiful and they were not replaced, in my point of view, by any automatic watch of the current collection. Like the Grand Arkade, they said goodbye in 2006. It is the reason why I was happy to see them at Hausmann: they are a bit "vintage" Lange watches now (funny to say that, time is really flying fast...) and they make me think about the period when I bought my first Lange watch, a platinum 1815.
I would like to thank a lot the Hausmann staff and the Lange Italy team for the warm welcome.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2012-08-15 14:03:30
More posts:
A visit at the Hausmann Boutique Via del Corso
Hausmann is a very prestigious dealer with 3 boutiques located in Rome. The history of this dealer started in 1794 when Giovanni Romano Ricci opened a workshop at the Piazza Colonna, in the Palazzo Piombino (the current location of the Galleria Alberto So...
Thank you Xavier
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Grand Arkade is so stunning!
Hi Xavier, I remember about 10 years ago, I didn't appreciate Cabaret, let alone Arkade (lady watch to me). Almost every Lange buyers in Malaysia just wanted to look at Lange 1. Of late, I realise that I overlook two (2) understated and special watches by...
Thanks Ling!
You know, the Cabaret is maybe one of my fav watches of my collection... elegant and exclusive... Fx
I did not know the Grand Arkade (or the Arkade)
Think I'm in love! Stunning!!! Thanks, Xavier. ;)
Thanks Marcelo.
Yes, the Arkade or the Grand Arkade are not seen very often... I couldn't miss this opportunity! ;) fx
Thanks foversta
A very nice review. Beautiful photos of beautiful watches. I've always liked the Arcade but opted for the Cabaret since it was easier to find. Joseph
Thanks Joseph!
Me too, I'm a Cabaret owner and I can't agree more about the Cabaret! Fx ...
Delicious!
Hey Xavier, In the presentation of things, those are some very fine courses! Thanks for allowing me to have a nibble. Tschuss Stephen
My favorites are the Langematiks...
especially with the 3/4 rotor. It seems that only two contemporary models keep the 3/4 rotor, the Saxonia Annual calendar and the Langematik Perpetual... a shame. Thank you for the visit to Rome, fovesta.
Yes you are right.
Only the two calendar watches have kept the 3/4 rotor. Like you, I regret it. Fx
Stunning
Thanks for the informative review and the stunning wristshots. The simplicity of the dails reminds me why I love ALS watches.
Great Post...
It really opens my eyes to the watch community in different parts of the world. Thanks!
Absolutely gorgeous!
I take the opportunity of my long awaited holidays to finally read some posts that I had missed and discover now only your very nice report about your visit at Hausmann. As we met beg. of July you told me about your visit to them but not about these beaut...
Great store!
Great store, been to two of their stores; Via Del Corso and Via Condotti. An institution with some really interesting watches. Always worth a visit and multiple window stares whenever I'm in Rome.
I am afraid this page has been turned. Time will tell, but
At the exception of 2 or three releases these 10 last years, I didn't find anytthing very exciting from a brand which I consider with a lot of respect, and for which I have a lot of affection. The 2 models you show are, for me, more Lange than the very la...
