A. Lange & Söhne harness the power of steel and stone for new Dubai boutique
German watch brand A. Lange & Söhne pay homage to its heritage with a design which is wholly modern
With a need to be both appealing and functional, designing a watch boutique is not without its challenges. Anthony de Haas, director of product development at German watch brand A. Lange & Söhne, acknowledges the contradictions at play in their new boutique: ‘Together with our architects, we decided on an approach that was inspired by the Bauhaus philosophy of combining craftsmanship, selected materials and technology in one cohesive whole,’ he says; the result is both simple and warm, an inviting environment in which to pause over a watch.
A clash of design details is carefully considered; sharp perpendicular angles and walls of glass unite with an amalgamation of steel and stone, a reference to the company’s home in Saxony’s mountainous Erzgebirge. Architectural details mirror intricate decoration on the watches: ‘Wall fittings feature metal pilaster strips that are bevelled at a 45-degree angle and polished – just like the edges of our watch components,’ explains de Haas.
‘Functionality is very often underestimated,’ adds CEO Wilhelm Schmid. ‘There are a lot of processes in such a boutique – and they simply have to work.’
INFORMATION
alange-soehne.com
ADDRESS
The Dubai Mall, Ground Floor
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Classic watch designs to last a lifetime
When considering which watch design to invest in, disregard trends and consider classic pieces characterised by timeless design
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Browns and Mad Paris rethink Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Watch customisation specialist Mad Paris has developed two new versions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for Browns
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Time for an eco-friendly watch?
Some of the more eco-friendly watch materials being embraced by sustainably-minded watchmakers include recycled steel, bioceramic and cork
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Boundary-breaking Chanel watch is tweaked for a new generation
The Boy.Friend Skeleton appeals to both men and women with its distinctive octagonal silhouette
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
On the button: Chanel's perfectly hidden timepiece
The ‘Mademoiselle Privé Bouton’ watch is everything but off the cuff
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Sound bite: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s contemporary art celebrates acoustic watches
Jaeger-LeCoultre and Swiss artist Zimoun have collaborated on an artwork to commemorate the 150 year anniversary of its first minute repeater
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Kengo Kuma’s studio for Grand Seiko sits in the shadow of Mount Iwate
The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi takes the natural world as its inspiration
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Bon appétit: we grab a bite to eat with Bell & Ross
Earlier this year, we met the founders of the watch marque for a catch-up at restaurant Oxté in Paris
By Caragh McKay Last updated