A japanese in SaxonyWalter Lange meets Yoshihiro Okanobu
From the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo to the contemplative small watchmaker town of Glashütte – this journey did not only mean an award for the 25 years old Yoshihiro Okanobu, but also two weeks close examination of A. Lange & Söhne. The Japanese watchmaking student of the ”Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry“ had won this years’ Richemont Award which includes the opportunity of working in several watchmaking departments of the Lange manufactory between 30 August and 12 September 2009.
The purpose of the Award, which has been bestowed already for the second time by the Swiss-based group of luxury brands, offers highly skilled watchmakers the chance to get to know different brands from the group. The young man was particularly impressed by the exquisite artisan finish works for the different movement components, especially the hand engraving. ”The most difficult work for me was polishing the gold chatons“, he says. Gold is a very soft material. Therefore, scratches arise easily during polishing prodedure. They have to be removed by means of further delicate polishing.
The highlight of his two weeks stay in Glashütte, says Okanobu, was his meeting with company founder Walter Lange on the occassion of his 85th birthday party.