Anglage is the meticulous hand-finishing process of beveling and polishing the edges of watch components to enhance their aesthetic appeal and craftsmanship.
Anglage (also called chamfering or beveling) is the meticulous hand-finishing process of filing the edges of movement components — bridges, plates, levers, and wheels — at a precise 45-degree angle, then polishing them to a mirror finish. This labor-intensive technique removes sharp edges, demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, and creates striking visual contrast between matte and polished surfaces.
Anglage can only be done by hand with files and polishing tools — it cannot be machined. The process requires years of training to master: each chamfer must be precisely angled, consistent in width, and polished to a flawless mirror. The work is done under magnification on components measured in fractions of millimeters. Brands like A. Lange & Söhne are celebrated for particularly exacting anglage.
Anglage is visible through exhibition (transparent) casebacks, where the beveled edges of bridges, cocks, and levers reflect light differently from the main component surfaces. High-end German and Swiss watches often feature anglage on nearly every movement component. A. Lange & Söhne anglage is considered among the finest, with incredibly precise, consistent bevels on all metal edges.