A. Lange & Söhne - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

I discovered this manufacturer during my watchmaking wanderings. Like many, I started with the brand with the crown. Seeing the Oyster case far too often, feeling like I was in a communist regime, my eye started to look at what was happening elsewhere. (Please note that it is with a touch of humor that I write these lines, Rolex makes incredible watches that combine robustness and beauty with insolent success since the advent of the tool watch, but to my great dismay, the choice to acquire one... like with the blinkers of a nag launched at full speed, we do not look at what is being done around. We also buy it consciously or unconsciously in order to have a safe haven or better, to make an investment... I was one of those... and it is completely understandable). There you have it, by spending hours on the watchmaking subject we go from article to article or video to video... We are bitten… And we say to ourselves "why not try other things" So we start to lick a few windows, that's it, we convinced ourselves that we are going to differentiate ourselves. I took the plunge. I bought a pp calatrava 5227j… And there, believe me, it's a watch that obliges you… you should almost become more polite and courteous once you wear this kind of watch on your wrist. What elegance…. And then… And then… the road is never finished in watchmaking, we can't say to ourselves "this one was the last one." So I continued to watch videos and I came across our favorite friend Xavier from the Dialicious channel with a guest François-Xavier and his 1815 chrono…. And there, revelation, the seed was sown. I started my research work on this manufacture... Big challenge 3 years ago few articles were devoted to this German manufacture of very small production (-7000 pieces per year). I went to Dubail Champs Élysée, I was kindly turned away telling me that they had no visibility on my model, and that they could not take me on the waiting list 2 years later, a market cleaned up with the flight of investors. I try my luck again but this time in the new official boutique 1 rue de la paix. Bingo immediate availability. I take a plane to Paris. What a pleasure to finally be considered as a passionate buyer, and not as a potential speculator.... FINALLY Lange 1, what watches friends to start in this manufacture. This dial with an organized disorder. A watch that can look straight into the eyes of Calatrava, Patrimony, Code 1159. You would almost think you were at an independent. Pink gold is the most versatile of the proposals in my opinion. Small bonus, it is possible that you will be left alone and that it will not be stolen from you, because it is little known to the general public. It is certain that this is not a budget that suits all purses, but for those who are so lucky, do not hesitate to show yourself unfaithful to the holy trinity (PP-VC-AP) you will not be disappointed. See you soon.

A few years ago, I decided to invest in a beautiful classic and dress watch, which was missing from my collection. Three models had caught my attention: the Patek Philipe Calatrava 5196, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle and the A. Lange & Söhne 1815. All three magnificent in their respective styles. Proceeding by elimination, I dismissed the Patek because of an antediluvian caliber much too small for the 37mm of the case, and a premium not justified by the services offered. The Vacheron was very attractive, both aesthetically and in terms of its caliber, with a beautiful re-entrant angle rare on the basic models of haute horlogerie houses. But I found it a little cold, especially in its white gold version, a material that I preferred. So that left the A.L&S 1815, whose aesthetics, close to old pocket watches, and the finishes impressed me. Looking at the 1815 range, I was quickly drawn to the power reserve model ("Auf/Ab"), which I found more interesting and original than the base model. The two counters for the small seconds and the power reserve are offset at 4 and 8 o'clock, which creates a "symmetrical asymmetry" on the dial with the most beautiful effect. What's more, the end of the power reserve indicator is red, which brings a discreet touch of color that brightens up the watch. In addition, the services offered placed it well above its competitors: flame-blued hands, hand-engraved balance cock, gold chatons, absolutely impeccable finishes thanks to the double assembly process, automatic return to zero of the small seconds at the end of the power reserve. When worn, the 39mm diameter by 8.7mm thick case has almost perfect proportions on my 17.5cm wrist. The only downside: the original large-scale alligator strap, while of good quality, is extremely rigid and therefore takes a long time to get used to the wrist. But this problem was quickly resolved by the acquisition of a midnight blue alligator strap custom-made by Camille Fournet, a house that I highly recommend. This watch has become a must-have in my collection, and I take it out for every formal occasion (important business meeting, dinner in a chic restaurant, black tie evening, etc.). If I had to drastically reduce my collection, this would be one of the models that would remain, so much do its quality of production and its style, classic without being off-putting, fill me.