A Lange & Sohne was first established in 1845 by Adolph Lange in Glasshutte. The firm established itself as makers of distinctive and fine timepieces - its pocket watches were prized by European gentry. Following the Second World War, the factory was seized by what was then East Germany. Walter Lange, the company's heir fled. It was only after the German reunification in 1990, that the founder's great grandson, Walter Lange, began reviving the company. With funding from LMH, the newly reformed company set out to restore its fine watchmaking tradition. The company was sold to the luxury conglomerate Richemont in July 2000. Although its watch parts may be cut with exceptional precision by the most advanced computer-aided machine tools, they are still finished, decorated and engraved by the skilled hands of some of the world's finest watchmakers.