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A. Lange & Söhne

Re: Neither of these watches is an "investment"

 

...at least not in the traditional sense of the world. 

If "investment value", value appreciation and collectability (whatever those terms mean) is important to you, then I would urge you to forget about both these watches, regardless of the name on the dial.  Both these watches are regular production models produced consistently in what appears to be relatively plentiful numbers and are selling at considerable discounts off premium.  Both nice watches, but hard for me at least to believe that unless there is a sudden change in circumstance (e.g., suddenly discontinued) that either will serve the purpose you want.   Use the money for a down payment on a condo in NYC instead.

I love my 3970 and I have an order down for a PP annual calendar, but Patek is really the new Rolex, where so many collectors are so busy saying that it is the best, the king, the emperor, blah blah, but little if any analysis much objective analysis is given to WHY that is the case for particular models. Instead, we tend to get sweeping generalizations and faulty, circular reasoning about the brand (i.e., that Patek is the best because it is a Patek and Pateks are the best) and irrational-exuberance-fueled premiums in the secondary market.  As Plato noted, these collectors spend so much time extolling the virtues of these brands that I wonder if they have time to study and really appreciate the individual pieces for the wonderful craftsmanship they represent. 

Maybe I need to start collecting Gundam figures or something...

Either way, your son will have a very nice watch but not necessarily a great investment.  Sounds good to me...

 

- Daniel (with all of Evitzee's bile but little of his knowledge)

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6 Comments view entire thread 

Lange1 Timezone or Patek 5396

 
By: ASW : October 5th, 2007-12:30
Hi all I would like to acquire a watch that I can pass on to my son. After some reading and visits to a number of showrooms, I have narrowed my choice to between the Lange TZ and PP 5396. As this is going to be a major investment for me, I would like to g... 

Well.... I think you know the answer already....

 
By: happy_wis : October 5th, 2007-15:59
They are very different watches... probably only two things are similar.... their prices and they are both instruments to tell time Since you only post your question in the Lange forum (but not in PP forum), I bet you prefer TZ over the 5396 but you are l... 

Thanks for the reply ...

 
By: ASW : October 6th, 2007-00:28
Perhaps I should clarify that when I say “investment” I do not mean it literally but that the price of these watches is not a small amount to me. As you have pointed out, both are very different watches but at a similar pricing, which is what I can afford... 

You can't go wrong with either....

 
By: Donut : October 6th, 2007-05:33
If you are looking for an investment to appreciate, take the Patek. If you are looking for a fine watch, exquisitely finished, that looks fantastic, you can take either. I chose this.... and certainly have never regretted it. I have had many compliments f...