A Lange and Sohne

[cemeabeme]

I do not post here very often but I do visit TRF religiously. So, I am posting for some expert opinions/feedback re A Lange & Sohne (ALS).

I recently acquired a few rolex pieces (GMT IIC, WG Daytona on strap w/BLK sub-dials and DJ II). I LOVE the GMT, really like the Daytona and somewhat still like the DJ II. Perhaps my DJ II feeling is related to the very shiny fluted bezel. Although, the DJ II is a nice looking piece.

More recently, I have become enchanted with ALS. My minimal research online seem to indicate ALS is a phenomenal brand and they make extraordinary pieces.

Rolex makes the BEST sport watches IMO and who can deny the day-date/day-date II President bracelet and full day on the dial.

But ALS is really growing on me. Especially their 1815 chronograph and Saxonia Annual Calendar.

The main problem is these pieces start at around $37k plus.

What say you on the ALS brand/pieces? Are they something to behold?

[kilyung]

Start saving.

[xbox]

.... or forget you heard about them

[roleyrolz]

Look into Glashutte Original a poor mans ALS
They make watches in ss while als only in precious metals

[Dickson Lim]

Originally Posted by xbox

.... or forget you heard about them

This will work for me!
Too bad... I PRESSED ON THIS THREAD AGAIN! (FAILED)

[Trev]

I recently noticed some Luftwaffe (Nazi) ALS models for sale at auction. Very interesting.

[mb hawaii]

Beautiful timepieces...would love to own a Datograph.

[dddrees]

Gorgeous watches. Now you have a reason to dream and aspire to greater things.

[mtrunner]

Lange are true beauties but unfortunately their prices are way out of my league.

[evogel]

Amazing timepieces! If you look into them deeper, you'll really want one.

[boa2]

Supreme watches....I can't say anything but I love 'em. And I want a Richard Lange.

[belk7]

In my experience, the more you look the these, the better they are. I was given a wonderful catalog with some brand history, and I find myself looking through it very frequently. Lange is a brand that I aspire to add to my own collection one day - it's just going to take a while....

[Aivas47a]

Lange is right up there with Patek Philippe at the top of the heap.

[evogel]

150 years (approx) ALS and GO were the same company, actually there was only ALS. Sometime after the Reunification, 2 companies emerged. GO got to keep the designs and patents, ALS got the name. If you look into the history of both company's, you will see that A Lange discussed prominently in the origin of GO

[htc8p]

or you can limit to sports watches.

fortunately for me i dont like those 30m water resist dress watches.

but i do respect them.

from the super high end i think patek looks the most "usable" i wouldnt mind having one

but i would still go for mid range brands

[topcat30093]

L&S are undoubtedly imo, one of the top 5 best made brands in the business, excluding independent watch makers.

They are one of the few brands who firstly assemble the watches and then dis assemble them again, to perform final alterations and polishing, before they re assemble them a second time.

And at an annual production rate of 7,000 pieces, they can be quite hard to come by.

Here in the UK, I believe that there is only about 6-7 ADs.

[Art 1]

They don't make a watch that I care to own.

[cemeabeme]

All,

Thanks for the feedback. In the USA there are not many ADs as well. Perhaps 10 - 15. I visited the only two (2) in NYC recently and neither AD had much stock. Especially, pieces in white gold. It's my understanding, a some pieces shall trickle in to ADs within the next 3 -4 months.

Nevertheless, ALS seem to make very nice timepieces. Some of the pieces are only 37, 38.5 or 39.5 in mm. While a select few are 40/40+. IMO, 40mm/41mm is near perfect for sport and "dress" watches.

[topcat30093]

The Datograph and it's big brother the Double Split has a movement imo like no other and is a stupendous piece of engineering.

[Numismatist]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Start saving.

This is my grail! See my sig pix.

Love them! Almost half way there to the Lange 1 moonphase...

[cemeabeme]

Hello Topcat30093. I see you have a patek 5205G annual calendar in your signature. I have seen the watch online and I like it although I have not seen it in the flesh. Do you own the watch? If so, would you recommend it? I am debating if I should purchase the ALS Saxonia Annual Calendar which is 38.5mm vs. the 5205G 40mm.

[watchaddict3]

[RRGHOST1]

As nice as ALS are supposed to be,i wouldn't buy one. Not my cup of tea as they say,i would still buy just Rolex.

[kareemthedream33]

Lange is my Grail. The most beautiful watches on earth IMO. I've never seen one I didn't like.

[Frogman4me]

When I decide on a dress watch its gonna be tough between Patek and ALS!

[rosspanics]

Very, very nice watches! I very much hope to own one someday!!!

[sorsara]

I was just visting their webiste and they don't seem to have a ladies line, do they?

If they do have one, does anyone know what it's called?

Thanks

[Intruder99]

watchaddict3
thanks, wonderful watch!

[asadtiger]

lovely watches everyone..ALS is a great brand as everyone has said but I would seriously look at GO too if I were in the market for that stuling and prestige...GO is more affordable while being as good as ALS in many respects, especially aesthetically and the movts are great too...I would strongly syggest the OP check out GO too

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by cemeabeme

All,

Thanks for the feedback. In the USA there are not many ADs as well. Perhaps 10 - 15. I visited the only two (2) in NYC recently and neither AD had much stock. Especially, pieces in white gold. It's my understanding, a some pieces shall trickle in to ADs within the next 3 -4 months.

Nevertheless, ALS seem to make very nice timepieces. Some of the pieces are only 37, 38.5 or 39.5 in mm. While a select few are 40/40+. IMO, 40mm/41mm is near perfect for sport and "dress" watches.

I would never consider an ALS a real sport model. These are dress watches, if I've ever seen one. For the money, I'd go buy 3 or 4 GO's or JLC's.

As far as some of the 150 year histories that folks are referring to-- most of these are hogwash. Many companies started that long ago, but almost all went belly-up. I believe Glashutte got bombed out of business in WWII, actually. Breguet and Blancpain were kaput, as well. In most cases, someone bought the name and pumped new life into a dead brand. There is little or not connection to the grand histories that they all seem to claim.

Off the top of my head, I think Rolex, GP, and PP are still the same companies. I think GP belongs to Sowind Group but production has been continuous.