“It’s hard to think of anywhere else on the planet that combines scenic beauty, history, and automotive culture as harmoniously as the Villa d’Este on Lake Como.”
That’s the official program’s own description of the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, and after spending a weekend on the shores of Lake Como in the company of A. Lange & Söhne, I’m struggling to beat that.
Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa d’Este
The Concorso dates back to 1929, and while it paused during the war, it returned in the 1990s and has since become one of the most significant automotive gatherings on earth, with the BMW Group taking on title sponsorship in 2001. Every May, it spreads across Villa d’Este and the neighboring Villa Erba, with pre-war coachwork, Italian icons, and concept cars arranged throughout the terraced gardens and lakeside promenade of what was once a 16th-century cardinal’s home.
The new Lange Cabaret Tourbillon in Honeygold
This edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este was of particular note for A. Lange & Söhne, as it marked the 15th year that the brand had been a partner, and the brand coincided the event with the announcement of the Honeygold Cabaret Tourbillon. TanTan is your man to learn everything you need to know about that watch here (although I will add that the return of the Cabaret, not only in Honeygold but also with a hacking tourbillon, is a real sight to behold)
The connection between Lange and the Concorso runs far deeper than a hospitality tent, as CEO Wilhelm Schmid is, by all measures, a true car guy, and it shows in how the brand actually engages with this weekend.
Throughout both days, Wilhelm stood right at the front of the Lange lounge, watching, waving, and applauding every single car that drove past. Aside from his title at Lange, Wilhelm’s passion for cars is undeniable, and it goes a long way in making a partnership between Lange and a show like this make sense. The obsessive pursuit of precision and excellence, the appreciation and allure of authenticity, the respect for craftsmanship, significance, and, if nothing else, charm. All of these things connect a Lange on the wrist to the cars competing on these lawns in a way that feels completely unforced.
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph 2026 Concorso Edition.
Above the individual class awards handed out across both days is a single winner, determined by the jury. Aside from the official trophy and the great honor of winning the top ‘Best in Show’, the winner also receives a bespoke A.Lange & Söhne. Every year, it’s a salmon dial take on the 1815 Chronograph with a hand-engraved hunter’s caseback featuring the Concorso crest. After a weekend like no other, one of the most prized cars in the world gets to go home with a one-of-one Lange. That’s a good weekend if you ask me.
Some of the rarest, most significant cars in the world, in one of the most beautiful places on earth, with a totally passionate crowd, and a scaled-up Datograph basking in the sun – what more could you want?
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s rather difficult to put into words just how special this show really is, so I’ll step aside and let the pictures do it for me. Truly mind-blowing cars, picturesque landscapes, and next-level wrist spotting await.
The Ferrari F40.
The Lange Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “Terraluna” in pink gold.
The Little Lange 1 ‘Darth’ featuring a baguette set bezel.
The man behind the wheel of a F40 rocking a Piaget Andy Warhol Tiger’s Eye.
A ski season-ready Mercedes 300 SL, complete with case, skis, and even chains on the tires.
Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne, Anthony De Haas, had the newly launched Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Lumen on his wrist.
A Royal Oak Offshore in yellow gold.
A Patek 3448 was a top vintage choice.
A red on red on red (wall) vintage Tag F1.
A 1 of 1 BMW M1 created for Jochen Neerpasch, the then Head of BMW Motorsport.
These two are special: a prototype pre-production Bugatti Veyron used for the car’s unveiling, next to the VW W12 Nardò concept. This VW set a 24-hour speed record at the Nardò Ring in 2001, covering over 7,000 kilometers at an average speed of 323km/h.
9/10 cameras you saw at Como this weekend were Leica, and rightfully so.
A perfectly at home vintage Heuer Autavia.
The Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
Just a couple of 250s: the GT SWB Competizione with none other than a 250 GTO behind.
Breguet Classique Day Date Moonphase on the wrist of the co-founder of Italian Watch Spotter, Fabrizio Bonvicino.
Sometimes the classics really are the best
Yeah, that’s a brown Lamborghini Countach, and the spec is incredible.
The AP Royal Oak 15551ST, a perfect match with the handbag.
Not every watch was modern, this lovely vintage Omega was a real standout.
Unmistakable lines.
Peak German watchmaking, right there.
It’s difficult to imagine a more perfect destination for the ultimate classic automobile show, Villa d’Este.
We were in great company: Emily Marsden, Wilhelm Schmid, and Kristian Haagen.
Candid or plandid? A confirmed candid shot of yours truly, captured by none other than Haagen himself.
What a backdrop.
Some valuable time with the piece that launched on the day: the Lange Cabaret Tourbillon in Honeygold.
For Ash Longet of Watchonista, the Rolex Daytona was the watch of choice.
A trio of Lange 1s.
Check out these far from normal Lange 1s – one with a guilloché dial, one with a dark mother of pearl, but both with diamond-set bezels.
Before long, the cars started parading, and the cameras (and Lange 1s) came out.
The AP Royal Oak 16202XT.
Top cigar moment, right there.
One of the prettiest paint combinations, an ivory and red two-tone on this Alfa Romeo 1900 C SSZ.
A vintage Ferrari and a 1016, it just makes sense.
Carlotta joined by her brother, Andrea Parmegiani, behind the wheel of their father’s competing Ferrari 250 GT Competizione ‘Tour De France’.
For Andrea, he went with the first series Patek Philippe 3970.
THE 250 GTO.
A better look at that incredibly special unique Tessarossa Spider.
And its owner rocking a Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G.
Observing the day with a glass in hand and a Rolex GMT Master II meteorite dial on the wrist.
A Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5968A was a showstopper move if you ask me.
Is it a car show without a vintage Daytona? A 6265 Big Red, to be precise.
The brown Countach also came with a tan interior.
Spotting a vintage Universal Geneve Tri-Compax put a smile on my face.
An Overseas Chronograph behind the wheel of the 300 SL.
With the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce ‘Rainbow’ Chronograph 7968 riding shotgun.
And with that, the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este comes to a close.
Thank you to A. Lange & Söhne for the invitation to spend a weekend on the shores of Lake Como for the Concorso d’Eleganza 2026.
About the Author
Tim Vaux (@timvaux) is a UK-based watch specialist, journalist, consultant, and photographer. Tim is a contributor to several outlets, including Hodinkee and British GQ.
