Thoughts on this ALS 1815 AC?

[JSol1]

Hi all, I’m starting to get serious about acquiring my first Lange (if you see my earlier post re: Boston Lange Boutique I posted a couple of other pieces for consideration). I had asked to see this in pink gold as they only had the white. This just came in and I’m going to look at it tomorrow…

[Gebbeth]

I have my eyes on this one as well. I have a Saxonia Moonphase, so I'm debating myself whether to get an ALS annual calendar like the 1815 or the Saxonia AC, or pivot to a Patek AC (albeit at a significantly higher price point for the model I am interested in).

Have you looked at the Lange 1 Time Zone? That is the other ALS alternative I was looking at to complement my Saxonia.

[EEpro]

I love it. Get it

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Gebbeth

I have my eyes on this one as well. I have a Saxonia Moonphase, so I'm debating myself whether to get an ALS annual calendar like the 1815 or the Saxonia AC, or pivot to a Patek AC (albeit at a significantly higher price point for the model I am interested in).

Have you looked at the Lange 1 Time Zone? That is the other ALS alternative I was looking at to complement my Saxonia.

Thanks…I am considering a couple of Saxonia models as well. My situation is I don’t have the opportunity to wear a dress watch much anymore so I really don’t want to spend PP money, but feel I want something that is not a Rolex Sport/Pro model (I have 8 which suits my current lifestyle).
I have to say the ALS boutique has been an absolute pleasure to work with…

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by EEpro

I love it. Get it

The scary part is once I try it on it may be purchased much sooner than I hoped. When I visited a week or so ago I told them I was starting a deliberate search for a dress watch and wasn’t looking to buy right away but my standing rule with watches is I have to try one on and see it in the flesh. I told them I loved this model and if one came in for another customer I’d love to see it…didn’t expect it to be so quick…we shall see…

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by JSol1

Thanks…I am considering a couple of Saxonia models as well. My situation is I don’t have the opportunity to wear a dress watch much anymore so I really don’t want to spend PP money, but feel I want something that is not a Rolex Sport/Pro model (I have 8 which suits my current lifestyle).
I have to say the ALS boutique has been an absolute pleasure to work with…

Some points about the Saxonia (I had the moon phase) that led me to sell mine for a Vacheron: gold plating on the rotor, bead blast / lack of any finish under the balance wheel, annoying offset elevation on overlapping outsized date wheels, and the color mismatch on white date wheels and the white dial.

I would buy the watch you're looking at though as 3 of those elements don't apply. I love the moon disk on all of the Saxonias. It was a treat.

It's amazing how much demand there is for high end watches at the dealer despite the apparent price drop and other recessionary signs.

[Cayenne06]

I owned this watch in white gold but sold it because reading the date and day were very difficult for me. The Saxonia is much more legible. Also a manual wind annual calendar can be a challenge to keep wound if it’s not a daily wear. You can’t put it on a winder. I actually ended up with a Patek AC and don’t regret it.

[Gebbeth]

I also do not prefer annual or perpetual calendars with the small subdials showing day, date, month. They are functionally very hard to read.

The reason I like Patek ACs, especially the 5205 and the 5235 is that they have clearly readable month, day and date in apertures, or inline date-date-month. I'm also used to reading the date Month-Day-Date (a la American style).

Would love it if ALS made a Zeitwerk like perpetual or annual calendar.

[EEpro]

Just a heads up. For the same price you can get the Vacheron 4010T. In case you hadn't considered it here it is. Some YouTube videos show the dynamic light play off the hour markers. The information is displayed more legibly if that is a consideration. It is also auto winding.

https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/...000r-b344.html

[Screwly]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Just a heads up. For the same price you can get the Vacheron 4010T. In case you hadn't considered it here it is. Some YouTube videos show the dynamic light play off the hour markers. The information is displayed more legibly if that is a consideration. It is also auto winding.

https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/...000r-b344.html

Isn’t this a “complete calendar” as opposed to an annual calendar? Difference being just having to change the annual calendar once a year.

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Just a heads up. For the same price you can get the Vacheron 4010T. In case you hadn't considered it here it is. Some YouTube videos show the dynamic light play off the hour markers. The information is displayed more legibly if that is a consideration. It is also auto winding.

https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/...000r-b344.html

this thing is great looking but tough to compare a complete calendar to an annual...

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by JSol1

Hi all, I’m starting to get serious about acquiring my first Lange (if you see my earlier post re: Boston Lange Boutique I posted a couple of other pieces for consideration). I had asked to see this in pink gold as they only had the white. This just came in and I’m going to look at it tomorrow…

I have the white gold version and love it. great watch and the day-jump feature is super useful (much moreso for me than an auto movement since I don't use winders).

[Gebbeth]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Just a heads up. For the same price you can get the Vacheron 4010T. In case you hadn't considered it here it is. Some YouTube videos show the dynamic light play off the hour markers. The information is displayed more legibly if that is a consideration. It is also auto winding.

https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/...000r-b344.html

I don't think this is an annual calendar. I believe this is just a complete date complication.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Gebbeth

I don't think this is an annual calendar. I believe this is just a complete date complication.

That is correct. Should be a wash for time spent touching knobs vs a manual wind though.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Cayenne06

I owned this watch in white gold but sold it because reading the date and day were very difficult for me. The Saxonia is much more legible. Also a manual wind annual calendar can be a challenge to keep wound if it’s not a daily wear. You can’t put it on a winder. I actually ended up with a Patek AC and don’t regret it.

Thanks for this…

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by EEpro

That is correct. Should be a wash for time spent touching knobs vs a manual wind though.

Makes sense. I brought this up when looking at various references last week and this is basically what they explained…

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Just a heads up. For the same price you can get the Vacheron 4010T. In case you hadn't considered it here it is. Some YouTube videos show the dynamic light play off the hour markers. The information is displayed more legibly if that is a consideration. It is also auto winding.

https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/...000r-b344.html

I have and I’m looking for an opportunity to see one in the flesh. We don’t have a VC boutique here. This decision will be very deliberate since it won’t be a daily and I’m open to all options. As much as a Patek would be my top choice I’m just not sure I can justify the cost/wear time…

[thekman]

I saw this AC in the Lange boutique's window while walking by this morning. It looks like an amazing piece. I am hoping to add a Lange myself but may end up with one from EWC down the street.

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by Cayenne06

I owned this watch in white gold but sold it because reading the date and day were very difficult for me. The Saxonia is much more legible. Also a manual wind annual calendar can be a challenge to keep wound if it’s not a daily wear. You can’t put it on a winder. I actually ended up with a Patek AC and don’t regret it.

Agree on manual wound. I don't think I could ever purchase an annual calendar that wasn't automatic

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by thekman

I saw this AC in the Lange boutique's window while walking by this morning. It looks like an amazing piece. I am hoping to add a Lange myself but may end up with one from EWC down the street.

It was the same piece. They took it out of the window to show me. My wife actually preferred the Saxonia…thought this one too busy…we disagree…
I’m struggling with buying at boutique prices for these type pieces.
I’m used to Rolex, where buying at the boutique is the way to go (all 8 of mine came from AD). I will also comparison shop at EWC…any thoughts on this in general?

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by JSol1

I have and I’m looking for an opportunity to see one in the flesh. We don’t have a VC boutique here. This decision will be very deliberate since it won’t be a daily and I’m open to all options. As much as a Patek would be my top choice I’m just not sure I can justify the cost/wear time…

I had a chance to try one on last night. It was gorgeous especially the rear with the gold rotor and coined case back but it's a little too big for me for a dressy watch.

Their historiques chrono in 38.5mm was stunning.

[thekman]

Originally Posted by JSol1

It was the same piece. They took it out of the window to show me. My wife actually preferred the Saxonia…thought this one too busy…we disagree…
I’m struggling with buying at boutique prices for these type pieces.
I’m used to Rolex, where buying at the boutique is the way to go (all 8 of mine came from AD). I will also comparison shop at EWC…any thoughts on this in general?

I have traded in a couple of Rolex watches to EWC including a pepsi for a Lange 1 earlier this year. You can look at their prices online, clearly most Lange pieces are selling at a considerable discount. Not like a year or two ago but still with a significant difference. As always it makes sense to buy from the brand boutique if you aspire to obtain some limited edition/boutique pieces but in my case I don't have these aspirations so think buying cheaper at EWC makes more sense. They also do negotiate and lower their price if you are serious about buying.

[cotway]

I love mine! Headed back to the NYC boutique this December!


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[Max7857]

Originally Posted by JSol1

It was the same piece. They took it out of the window to show me. My wife actually preferred the Saxonia…thought this one too busy…we disagree…
I’m struggling with buying at boutique prices for these type pieces.
I’m used to Rolex, where buying at the boutique is the way to go (all 8 of mine came from AD). I will also comparison shop at EWC…any thoughts on this in general?

You may want to check with Burdeens Jewelers in Buffalo Grove, IL which is a suburb of Chicago. They are an AD of Lange and my experience with them is if you are dealing with the right person and they are confident you are a buyer they will defintely negotiate. At the very least you will save the sales tax. If you Google the name here on the forum I believe they are/were a member with favorable comments. Good luck!

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by thekman

I have traded in a couple of Rolex watches to EWC including a pepsi for a Lange 1 earlier this year. You can look at their prices online, clearly most Lange pieces are selling at a considerable discount. Not like a year or two ago but still with a significant difference. As always it makes sense to buy from the brand boutique if you aspire to obtain some limited edition/boutique pieces but in my case I don't have these aspirations so think buying cheaper at EWC makes more sense. They also do negotiate and lower their price if you are serious about buying.

I do visit EWC often and definitely plan on going in to comparison shop once I decide on what I want. I wish I was willing to move one of my Rolexes but right now I’m looking to add. I know EWC much prefer to trade (for obvious reasons).
I don’t have a need to establish a relationship in the dress watch space so I will be value shopping for whichever I end up with…thanks!

[bobernet]

I almost bought one, but went perpetual instead. I’ve been very pleased.



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[aparker973]

I own the 1815 AC in rose gold.

It has been wonderful.

I imagine many people raise their eye brow when they think of a manual wind annual calendar, and at first blush I was curious how it would affect the experience. I've owned and worn other ACs and perpetuals; very quickly I learned not to miss the automatic movement. In fact, it has added to the wearability of it. Because of the synchronized pusher that steps forward the calendar and moonphase, I don't have to worry about where or when I take off the watch (is my winder nearby???).

Just pick it back up, wind it, set it to the correct time, then press the pusher until I am at the current date (which for me is usually 3 or 4 pushes).

In fact, it's quicker for me to pick back up than my more "daily" Rolex GMT, which involves setting then time followed my some more winding to get to the date.

So for those on the fence, don't fret. Once you set it properly upon purchase, you can safely store your pin pusher until February. I could not say the same for some other calendar options from other manufacturers. I was always sure to have some toothpicks around...

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by aparker973

I own the 1815 AC in rose gold.

It has been wonderful.

I imagine many people raise their eye brow when they think of a manual wind annual calendar, and at first blush I was curious how it would affect the experience. I've owned and worn other ACs and perpetuals; very quickly I learned not to miss the automatic movement. In fact, it has added to the wearability of it. Because of the synchronized pusher that steps forward the calendar and moonphase, I don't have to worry about where or when I take off the watch (is my winder nearby???).

Just pick it back up, wind it, set it to the correct time, then press the pusher until I am at the current date (which for me is usually 3 or 4 pushes).

In fact, it's quicker for me to pick back up than my more "daily" Rolex GMT, which involves setting then time followed my some more winding to get to the date.

So for those on the fence, don't fret. Once you set it properly upon purchase, you can safely store your pin pusher until February. I could not say the same for some other calendar options from other manufacturers. I was always sure to have some toothpicks around...

Without a doubt, ALS has the best calendar advance on the market. The single pusher to advance everything by 24 hours is awesome.


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[JSol1]

Originally Posted by aparker973

I own the 1815 AC in rose gold.

It has been wonderful.

I imagine many people raise their eye brow when they think of a manual wind annual calendar, and at first blush I was curious how it would affect the experience. I've owned and worn other ACs and perpetuals; very quickly I learned not to miss the automatic movement. In fact, it has added to the wearability of it. Because of the synchronized pusher that steps forward the calendar and moonphase, I don't have to worry about where or when I take off the watch (is my winder nearby???).

Just pick it back up, wind it, set it to the correct time, then press the pusher until I am at the current date (which for me is usually 3 or 4 pushes).

In fact, it's quicker for me to pick back up than my more "daily" Rolex GMT, which involves setting then time followed my some more winding to get to the date.

So for those on the fence, don't fret. Once you set it properly upon purchase, you can safely store your pin pusher until February. I could not say the same for some other calendar options from other manufacturers. I was always sure to have some toothpicks around...

They walked me through how it worked and showed me the process. I have no concerns about a manual for this particular piece. I completely agree with you on the Rolex GMT. I actually try to keep it wound just so I don’t have to set it…thanks!

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by bobernet

I almost bought one, but went perpetual instead. I’ve been very pleased.



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That is gorgeous! I tried it on and love it! For me I just don’t wear dress watches enough to justify…but as a watch nut…oh man it’s beautiful