Speaking with Antony de Haas is a reminder that great watchmaking is not just about the product, but about the people behind it. Having the chance to sit down with him, what stands out is not only his technical knowledge, but the clarity and passion with which he approaches his work.
In an industry often focused on icons and heritage, figures like him are what truly make it special—shaping not just watches, but the identity and direction of a brand. As Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne, he has played a key role in defining some of its most important modern creations.
From an unconventional path into watchmaking to leading one of the most respected maisons today, his story reflects the same philosophy that defines Lange: independence, consistency, and a clear vision.
From Drums to Watches
Tiziano:
First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. To start, what got you into watchmaking, and how did your journey eventually lead you to Lange & Söhne?
Anthony:
That’s a long story… and we only have half an hour! (laughs) I’m actually not from a watchmaking family at all, I’m the only “black sheep.”
I originally wanted to become a history teacher, but instead of studying, I spent most of my time playing drums. I started very young and became completely obsessed with it.
School didn’t go exactly as planned, so I first trained as an electrician, and later as a toolmaker, working with very precise machinery and small components. That’s where I developed a sensitivity for materials and precision. Then, almost by coincidence, I discovered a watchmaking school next door to where I was studying. I visited during an open day and was immediately fascinated by the scale, the precision, the beauty of it; that was the moment everything changed.
I became a watchmaker while still playing drums semi-professionally, working three days a week and spending the rest of my time in music, recording, teaching, playing live. Eventually, I decided to focus fully on watchmaking. I joined IWC in 1996, initially planning to stay only a couple of years, but during that time I received a call from Giulio Papi to join his team. That led me into high complications, and later into a more strategic and commercial role within development. Then in 2004, Lange approached me for the role I still hold today, Director of Product Development.
Tiziano:
Before officially joining Lange, you already had a strong connection with the brand. Is it true that you bought your first Lange watch even before working there?
Anthony:
Yes, that’s true, and it’s actually a very personal story. I visited Lange while I was still working at Renaud & Papi and was completely blown away by what I saw there, the craftsmanship, the atmosphere, the passion of the people. I went back home and couldn’t stop talking about Lange.
Around that time, my mother passed away, and my father gave me some money that my parents had saved. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it meant something. I didn’t really know what to do with it, but my wife had the idea. She said: “Why don’t you ask Lange if you can buy one of their watches? It would be something meaningful, something you keep forever.”
At first I hesitated, but she insisted. So I reached out, and in the end I bought a rose gold version of a Lange 1. I still have it today. At the time, I had no idea that one day I would actually work for Lange, let alone be in a position where I could help create these watches. But that piece is still very special to me, it’s connected to my family and to that first emotional connection I had with the brand.
Tiziano:
You stepped into a role shaped by the legacy of Günter Blümlein. How did you deal with that at the beginning, and how did you develop your own approach over time?
Anthony:
I wouldn’t say I directly “carried” his legacy, he was simply too great for that. But he had a huge influence on me. I actually met him during my time at IWC, and when I told him I was leaving to work on complications elsewhere, he showed me a prototype of what would later become the Datograph. That moment was a shock, it was on another level entirely.
From then on, I became almost obsessed with Lange. Blümlein’s philosophy still shapes everything we do: aiming for the absolute highest standard, without compromise, not only technically, but also in aesthetics, consistency, and respect for tradition while still moving forward.
When Lange later offered me this role, I honestly wasn’t sure I was ready. I told my wife, “I don’t know if I can do this.” She simply said: “Why not try?” That was over twenty years ago… and I’m still here.
Tiziano:
Lange had to be rebuilt in the 1990s almost from scratch, unlike many brands that rely heavily on their historical icons, how does that unique starting point shape the way you approach product development today?
Anthony:
It was essentially a blank sheet of paper, and that’s incredibly powerful. Blümlein made a fundamental decision: Lange would not follow the industry, but define its own path. While many brands relied on existing movements or historical designs, Lange chose to develop everything in-house, from the ground up.
Take something as simple as untreated German silver, it’s much more difficult to work with, it requires extreme care, but it creates a unique aesthetic and a higher level of integrity in the movement. That mindset still defines us today. We don’t take shortcuts. And perhaps more importantly, we don’t think in terms of trends, we think in terms of long-term value, for collectors who truly understand what we do.
Tiziano:
What are the toughest challenges in developing a new Lange watch?
Anthony:
The biggest challenge is not technical, it’s conceptual. You constantly have to ask yourself: does this truly belong to Lange? Following trends is easy, but what’s much harder is creating something that feels new while still being unmistakably Lange.
That was exactly the case with the Odysseus. We wanted to create a sports watch for our collectors, but it had to reflect the brand’s identity, without compromise. And our collectors expect that. They are highly knowledgeable, and they’re not looking for gimmicks, they’re looking for substance.
Tiziano:
The Odysseus was a major step for Lange. What made it so challenging?
Anthony:
That was probably the most difficult project I’ve worked on, not technically, but as a product. For years, collectors were asking us for a sports watch, but the real question was: what is a Lange sports watch?
We didn’t want to just take an existing movement and put it in a steel case, that’s not our philosophy. We went through countless prototypes, especially for the bracelet, it was completely new territory for us. I think we had around 50 different versions. It took years to find the right balance.
When we finally launched it in 2019, the reaction was initially quite polarizing. But the moment people tried it on, everything changed. And then the demand exploded, far beyond our expectations. That’s when you know you got something right.
Tiziano:
Many collectors don’t fully understand the production reality behind Lange.
Anthony:
Exactly. People often assume we have large teams producing these watches, but sometimes it’s just one or two watchmakers. If one person is unavailable, production drops immediately, and training a new watchmaker can take a year or more.
That’s why availability is limited, it’s not strategy, it’s reality. Everything is done by hand, and that defines the rhythm of the brand.
Tiziano:
Looking ahead, how do you see Lange evolving?
Anthony:
We will continue exactly as we are. We don’t want to become bigger at the cost of quality, and we don’t want to follow trends. Our goal is simple: to create watches that feel right, that are honest, and that collectors can truly connect with.
That’s it.
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