A. Lange & Söhne

CR
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Thanks for clarifying this and sharing your perspective, Oliver....

I appreciate it, especially since you have such a long history with the brand!

When I read your thoughts about Lange's decreased focus on boldness and increased focus on marketing, I thought to myself, "This is (sadly) what happens to almost all small, successful retail companies as they mature and grow." I don't entirely agree with it, because I do think that the Zeitwerk and the Grande Complication -- two of Lange's more recent offerings -- were pretty gutsy endeavors (and honey gold was pretty cool too!).

I've had a different experience when it comes to passion and collectors. I've met a lot of VERY passionate Lange collectors in recent years. From my perspective, their passion is no different from the passion of the Lange collectors I met over a decade ago. [NOTE: I define a "passionate" collector as one who enjoys his or her watches AND does not regularly flip them. Passion is a trait, not a state. Passion precludes flipping.]

Let me share what motivates me to post auction results. I do this to fulfill what I see as one very valuable purpose of this Forum:  To provide a historical resource for those who seek such information now or in the future. When I've looked up auction results in the past, my experience has been tedious and difficult. I've sometimes needed to set up an account with an auction house just to see results, and I've usually had to click through pages and pages unwanted information. I often wished someone would just share that information in a timely way that's easy to access (and that I can find later, using a search feature). It's the same reason that I maintain the Lange historical price list. I prefer to have more information about "all things Lange" than less information, and for me this Forum provides a nice balance of all aspects of Lange collecting (brand history, technical details, aesthetic commentaries, and also the auction results and press releases that you referenced).

Although I have posted auction results several times, I have rarely commented on those results (or on press releases that others post). That's because I don't see auction results as being representative of anything more than two people competing at the same time for the same object in an arena fraught with behind-the-scenes politics. Auction results are not representative of anything broader, in the same way that I know I can't predict how I'll feel about a new Lange model based upon the first impressions that I get from the typically unflattering, unattractive, two-dimensional photos in Lange's past press releases. I'm still interested in both of these things -- auction results and press releases -- just out of curiosity, and not for their predictive value.

[On a related note, I'm surprised that Lange "pre-announces" upcoming auctions that will contain their pieces. I see this as risky PR that will not always be positive. For example, in this past auction, several pieces sold for what I and others would probably consider to be quite modest prices. And on a broader note, what motivates me to post ANYTHING here, including this, is the same thing that motivates me to collect watches: FUN! The day this stops being fun is the day I abandon this hobby!]

I am glad you said, "There is still passion," Oliver, as I have valued your opinions over the years! Thank you again for sharing them here.

-Craig
This message has been edited by CR on 2013-06-23 14:45:12 This message has been edited by CR on 2013-06-23 14:46:05