A. Lange & Söhne Complications Acquisition

MTR · 2022-10-30T09:05:20Z

Explore the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone with collector MTR. Dive into its design, unique pusher mechanics, and travel functionality debate.

MTR

WPS member · A. Lange & Söhne forum

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MTR's unexpected encounter with an A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone in a boutique sparked a fascinating discussion among collectors. His initial post, highlighting the watch's modern aesthetics and posing questions about its functionality, serves as a valuable entry point for understanding the nuances of this sophisticated travel complication. This article synthesizes community insights, offering a balanced perspective on the Lange 1 Time Zone's design and practical considerations for potential owners.

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And then was completely surprised with this gem.

Since I also found a gorgeous Breguet Tourbillon in the same shop, I now have a few things to think about.

This ALS is really impressive and also looks very modern with the black dial and the brown leather strap.
The only thing I noticed. The pusher at 8 that moves the city wheel went very hard. Is that normal?
And another question for those in the know: since the upper left pusher at 10 advances the date, does that mean that I might actually have to move the city wheel almost 360° to get to an “unfavorably” positioned city?

Have a great Sunday,
Thomas

[Picture included in the thread --- FabR (moderator)]

This message has been edited by FabR on 2022-10-30 15:43:59

Key Points from the Discussion

The pusher at 8 o'clock, which advances the city ring, is designed to be more resistant than other pushers, a characteristic noted in both the first and second generation Lange 1 Time Zone models. This resistance is likely a deliberate design choice to prevent accidental actuation.
A significant point of debate is the Lange 1 Time Zone's functionality for travelers, specifically the unidirectional advancement of the city wheel and the lack of linkage between the local time and the date. This means adjusting the city wheel for a new time zone can require up to 23 pushes, and the date needs to be adjusted separately.
While some collectors find the separate date adjustment impractical for frequent travel, others, like Clueless_Collector, adapt to it, noting that pressing the date pusher up to 31 times takes less than a minute. The watch's primary dial can also be set to local time, with the smaller dial used for home or a second time zone.
Setting the initial home time on the Lange 1 Time Zone can be complex, and it is often recommended to have this done by a boutique or to consult detailed guides.
Despite some functional quirks, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone is widely admired for its breathtaking beauty, exceptional craftsmanship, and comfortable wear, making it a compelling choice for collectors who prioritize aesthetics and horological artistry.
For those prioritizing ultimate travel functionality, alternatives like the Rolex GMT/Explorer II or JLC Geophysic World Time are often cited as more practical options due to features like bidirectional time adjustment and integrated date changes.

The Discussion

south

Oct 30, 2022

This is a very interesting piece IMHO. You are right that you can advance the local time only in one direction which means that 23 pushes are necessary in a worst case scenario. The one I sampled about a week ago also had a rather resistant pusher so that may be normal. My biggest issue with this watch however is the fact that the local time (and thus the quick setting) is not linked to the date. This seems highly impractical to me, at least from a traveling perspective. And I know that you some

Rhyzen

Oct 30, 2022

My experience based on the 1st generation Time Zone: 1) The pusher at 8 o'clock to advance the cities is indeed more resistant. It's very distinctive when compared to the buttery-smooth pusher at 10 o'clock. 2) Unfortunately, the cities can only be advanced in one direction. It's a shame that this was not improved in the 2nd generation Time Zone. Another quirk you have to take note of is that it is a complicated to do the initial home time setting. I would recommend leaving that in the good hand

MTR

Oct 30, 2022

I put the pictures in the Breguet forum. 😉

MTR

Oct 30, 2022

And the movement is a dream. For me, a watch must also have flawless functionality. And to be honest, I'm not entirely convinced...

MTR

Oct 30, 2022

especially for your really valuable tips. This watch is wonderfully handcrafted with a beautiful dial. Wear comfort also seems very good (although I only had the watch on my wrist for a few minutes). The not very practical functionality for (uncomplicated!) everyday travel doesn't convince me. Best Thomas

MTR

Oct 30, 2022

For me this watch is undeniable a breathtaking beauty. But it also has some...quirks that make it impractical for me for everyday travel use. All the best and enjoy your Sunday, Thomas

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