Langendorf Watch Co (Lanco)
Langendorf, Switzerland · Fondée en 1873
Fondée par Adolf Haas
Langendorf Watch Company était une manufacture suisse fondée en 1873 à Langendorf (Soleure), productrice de calibres de qualité pour l'industrie horlogère suisse et internationale. La manufacture a été intégrée dans le groupe ASUAG.
- Fondée en
- 1873
- Siège social
- Langendorf, Switzerland
- Groupe
- Independent
- Segment de prix
- Entrée de gamme
- Statut
- Disparue
Cessation: 1985
Langendorf a été absorbée par le groupe ASUAG lors de la restructuration de l'industrie horlogère suisse, ses ressources étant intégrées dans les opérations du groupe.
Langendorf construisait les mouvements que d'autres marques revendiquaient comme leurs — le destin discret du grand fournisseur.
Collections phares
- Lanco Barracuda — A robust sports diver's watch from the 1960s and 1970s, featuring a rotating bezel and water resistance suitable for recreational diving.
- Lanco Fon — An alarm wristwatch produced during the 1950s and 1960s, competing with similar complications from larger Swiss manufacturers.
- Langendorf Military — Field watches supplied to various armed forces during the mid-twentieth century, known for legibility and durability under combat conditions.
- Lanco Automatic — Post-war automatic timepieces using in-house calibres, offering Swiss reliability at accessible price points for everyday wear.
Chronologie
- 1873 — Fondation de la Langendorf Watch Company à Langendorf, dans le canton de Soleure.
- 1905 — The company expands significantly, becoming one of Switzerland's largest ébauche producers with substantial export volume.
- 1926 — Langendorf registers the Lanco trademark for finished watches sold under its own retail brand.
- 1950 — Post-war production peaks with millions of movements manufactured annually, supplying third-party brands across multiple continents.
- 1973 — The quartz crisis begins to erode demand for mechanical movements, forcing significant restructuring of operations.
- 1985 — Langendorf Watch Co ceases production and closes its Solothurn factory, unable to compete with Japanese quartz manufacturers.
Questions fréquentes sur Langendorf Watch Co (Lanco)
- Langendorf fabriquait-elle ses propres montres ?
- Langendorf produisait principalement des ébauches et des calibres pour d'autres marques, mais commercialisait également des montres sous sa propre marque sur certains marchés.
- Are Langendorf and Lanco watches still valuable?
- Vintage Lanco and Langendorf pieces remain modestly collectible, particularly military-issue watches and the Barracuda divers. Values are generally accessible compared to premium Swiss brands, making them attractive entry points for vintage collectors.
- Can I still buy a Lanco watch today?
- New Lanco watches are no longer manufactured. However, vintage examples from the brand's extensive production history regularly appear at auction houses, vintage dealers, and online marketplaces.
- Did Langendorf make movements for other watch brands?
- Yes, Langendorf was one of Switzerland's largest ébauche manufacturers, producing millions of movements annually that were sold to numerous watch brands who could not or chose not to produce their own calibres.
- What is the difference between Langendorf and Lanco?
- Langendorf Watch Co was the manufacturing company name, whilst Lanco was the registered trademark used for finished watches sold directly to consumers. Both names appeared on dials depending on the market and era.