We are very sad to be informed of the death of Mr Günter Blümlein in his 58th year.

Günter Blümlein is the man who presided the renaissance of three brands that have become three leading names in watchmaking: Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC and Lange & SÖhne. No doubt, the ex nihilo renaissance of Lange & SÖhne was his greatest pride. Günter Blümlein succeeded in recreating a center of watchmaking excellency in Germany, with an exceptional brand meeting immediate success.
One cannot but recognize the qualities that he had already transmitted to the two other brands that he conducted: extreme sense of precision, unfailing attention to forms and to quality, a serious approach, and communication lead with constancy.

To these evident qualities, Günter Blümlein also added managerial responsibilities that let him stand out as a man respectful of others. He always succeeded in establishing an exceptional social athmosphere in his companies, thus illustrating in the facts a certain “Rhineland” conception of capitalism.

Günter Blümlein was a sensitive man open and available to others. For my part, I will strongly remember one particular event, as will no doubt remember it all others witness of it. Two years ago he received the Best Watch Award for Lange & SÖhne, from the Swiss watch magazine Montres Passion. Overwhelmed to be thus distinguished by what Switzerland holds as the best in watchmaking, he started crying, indeed weeping, as the crowd stood up to applaud.

To his family and friends, to his colleagues in IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Lange & SÖhne, to the Richmont Group whose watchmaking sector was under his and Franco Cologni's management, we present our deepest sympathy.

Pierre Maillard
Editor-in-Chief
Europa Star

October 2001