A. Lange & Söhne Bracelets: Collection Overview

CR · 2022-06-02T14:35:38Z

Explore aftermarket bracelet options for A. Lange & Söhne watches. CR reviews the Shinola steel bracelet on a Lange 1, comparing it to a rare platinum Lange bracelet.

WPS member · A. Lange & Söhne forum

23 replies11099 views17 photos

CR, a respected voice in the A. Lange & Söhne community, challenges conventional wisdom regarding aftermarket bracelets on high-horology timepieces. His meticulous comparison of a Shinola steel bracelet with a rare Wellendorf-made platinum Lange bracelet provides invaluable insights for collectors considering non-OEM options. This exploration not only highlights aesthetic and functional considerations but also sparks a broader discussion on personalization within the luxury watch sphere.

23 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

Many of us (myself included) don't hesitate to put aftermarket, non-OEM straps on our watches. However, we're more cautious about doing this very same thing with bracelets. That's interesting to me.

I started thinking about this in 2018, after putting an aftermarket steel bracelet on the Grand Lange 1 Moonphase Lumen. That was my first experiment with aftermarket bracelets and Langes, and I was very happy with that result.

Last year, fellow forum member nice2guy posted this thread showing a steel Shinola bracelet (their standard 5-link 20mm bracelet) on his platinum Datograph, and by chance I saw that watch in person several months later. I was impressed. I thought that particular bracelet looked fantastic on his platinum Datograph.

I recently decided to get one of these Shinola bracelets and try it on a Lange 1. I was very, very happy with the outcome.

Many people were interested in the steel Shinola bracelet that nice2guy posted, so I thought I'd provide some additional details.

First are some photos comparing that steel Shinola bracelet with its equivalent 20mm platinum Lange bracelet, which was made by Wellendorf about 20 years ago. This platinum Lange bracelet (which is not for sale) is unused and still has its blue tape on the clasp, though I had some of the links removed to fit my small wrist.

First we can see the weight difference between the two bracelets. To ensure a true comparison of the full bracelets, I included the links that were removed from the platinum bracelet (in the little white bag on the scale). The platinum bracelet is much heavier, of course.

Here are the two clasps. The steel Shinola clasp is at the top. Quality is excellent. To close the Shinola clasp, you must secure one side of the bracelet first before the other side will close. It's a snap-fit. I prefer to have the 12 o'clock side close first and the 6 o'clock side close last (which I accidentally screwed up at first, so I had to reverse the clasp after attaching it to the Lange 1 to solve that problem). Opening the Shinola clasp requires depressing both side buttons. Again, very secure. The precious metal Lange clasp, at the bottom of the pic, is made from 18K white gold, not platinum. Some platinum Lange bracelets have platinum clasps, while others (like this one) have white gold clasps. To close the Lange clasp, you can secure either side first, in no particular order. It's a friction-fit, so you can pull on either side to open it. The Lange clasp also feels secure despite being a friction fit.

Here's the wide open steel Shinola clasp. Nice and thick, as you can see.

Here's the "public face" of each clasp, with the Shinola clasp on the left attached to a Lange 1.

Here we can see another "public face" photo of each bracelet. The steel Shinola bracelet is on the left, attached to the watch. Note the slightly curved endlinks, which are a very nice touch and which take regular straight springbars. As you can see from this photo, the curved endlink of the Shinola bracelet comes close to the inside of the Lange 1 caseback but it doesn't touch it. This was a relief: The Shinola bracelet required no "shaving"/buffing or other special adjustment to avoid damaging the Lange 1 caseback. It fit fine right out of the box.

Here's a side view of both bracelets. Again, the Shinola bracelet is on the left, attached to the watch. Platinum Lange bracelet is on the right.

And here are some more photos of just the Shinola bracelet.

Bottom line: If you have a 20mm white metal Lange (particularly platinum) and are looking for a nice bracelet to try, consider this one from Shinola!

About the A. Lange and Söhne Lange 1 Ref. 1815GrandComplication

The 1815 Grand Complication represents a pinnacle of traditional horological artistry from A. Lange & Söhne, showcasing a comprehensive array of complex mechanisms within a single timepiece. This reference is a testament to the brand's commitment to high-complication watchmaking, integrating multiple grand complications that are meticulously finished and assembled by hand. It stands as one of the most intricate watches ever produced by the Glashütte manufacture, reflecting a deep respect for classical watchmaking principles.

The watch features a platinum case with a diameter of 50mm and a substantial thickness of 20.3mm, housing the manually wound L1902 caliber. This movement provides a power reserve of 30 hours. The dial is silver, protected by a sapphire crystal, and the watch offers a water resistance of 30 meters. The intricate movement is visible through a sapphire case back, revealing the complex architecture and traditional finishing techniques.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking the ultimate expression of mechanical complexity and artisanal craftsmanship. It is a significant piece within A. Lange & Söhne's haute horlogerie offerings, demonstrating the brand's capability to execute multiple grand complications harmoniously. The 1815 Grand Complication is a limited production piece, underscoring its exclusivity and desirability among serious collectors of high-complication watches.

Specifications

Caliber: L1902

Case: Platinum

Diameter: 50mm

Dial: Silver

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The Shinola 5-link 20mm steel bracelet is a surprisingly high-quality and aesthetically pleasing aftermarket option for A. Lange & Söhne watches, particularly the Datograph and Lange 1 models, as demonstrated by CR and nice2guy.
A key concern for collectors is potential damage to precious metal lugs (platinum or white gold) from a harder stainless steel bracelet. CR acknowledges this risk but prioritizes the aesthetic appeal and comfort, noting that any wear would likely be gradual due to smooth, polished surfaces.
The Shinola bracelet's clasp features a secure snap-fit mechanism requiring one side to be secured before the other, and dual-button release. In contrast, the vintage Wellendorf-made Lange clasp is a friction-fit design, allowing either side to close first and opening by pulling.
The Shinola bracelet offers a significantly lighter alternative to precious metal bracelets, which can be a comfort advantage, especially in warmer climates. The quality of the Shinola bracelet is consistently praised by multiple forum members.
The discussion extends beyond A. Lange & Söhne, with one contributor noting that MING bracelets can be an excellent aftermarket option for F.P. Journe watches, featuring curved ends and similar link counts to original bracelets.
The availability of specific A. Lange & Söhne references, such as the platinum 110.037 or the 110.030 with blue hands, can be limited, with some configurations being extremely rare or unconfirmed by the manufacturer.

The Discussion

Rhyzen

Jun 2, 2022

Lange offers too little options for such accessories....

nice2guy

Jun 2, 2022

That bracelet looks great on your Lange 1. And very informative comparison with the plat. I never get tired of my Shinola on the plat. dato., especially during the hot summer months. And thanks for your mention.

Darron

Jun 3, 2022

I like the mesh also with the Moonphase lumen

smironov

Jul 24, 2022

For your discovery of this bracelet for us! Following your steps I've bought it for my plat Dato 1st gen and it suited so well that i went and bought another one for my L1 in WG. Thanks so much for sharing this discovery!

nice2guy

Jul 29, 2022

So glad you are enjoying!

walidk

Aug 8, 2022

And also thanks to nice2guy for this great find! I see you put it on your wg L1 and a question came to mind. I am thinking of using one interchangeably between pt and wg langes. Do you think the stainless steel might cause harm to the inside of the lugs considering the hardness of ss as against wg and platinum? This could be an amazing daily wear if minimal concerns, especially in this ‘lovely’ east coast summer… Regards Walid ps: just saw that you are this forum’s mod now. Sorry I missed it bef

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the A. Lange & Söhne forum with 23 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

A. Lange & Söhne Bracelets: Collection Overview

About the A. Lange and Söhne Lange 1 Ref. 1815GrandComplication

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum