Comments:
Question for Lange historians?
Back in 1994, when the company was reincarnated; were the pieces distributed through ADs; I recall only Alpha Omega in Boston ( one defunct) being an AD!
Any insights?
Thanks
Any insights?
Thanks
I remember that they sold almost all their pieces in Germany and a few in western Europe. Wempe, Rüschenbeck and to a lesser degree Bucherer were the
companies that had early relationships with ALS. One thing is for sure though: They only sold their watches through ADs.
Lange started in Europe only.
The first dealer outside Europe was Cellini in New York (along with Wempe). This was in 1996, I believe.
Thanks Friends
I did acquire my first Lange in Europe; it was bought from Wempe; a Langematik anniversary in 2000
Lange ADs
I believe Cellini In NYC was an early adapter. You can check with them if important.
Regarding US distribution (since you mention Alpha Omega in Boston)...
Wempe and Cellini, both in NYC, were the only US ADs until 2002. Cellini had two former stores (Madison Avenue and their amazing Waldorf location), and Wempe had one store (still at 55th and 5th). So basically all US Lange AD's, as well as all of Lange's authorized servicing in the US (i.e., Alkis), were literally all located within about a 1/2-mile radius of Madison Avenue & 50th Street! Then Lange opened 5 more ADs in the US and Canada. Alpha Omega was one of those second-wave ADs.
Also, the gray market for new Langes in the US was very, very robust for about the first decade after the relaunch. There were a handful of US "gray-D's" whom it seemed like everyone knew. The economics were quite different back then, and I think it was a bit more difficult for US customers outside of NYC to establish relationships with distant ADs.
Cellini and Wempe NY
were AD according to the list of ADs in the 2001/2002 catalogue.
And here are the first ADs back in October 1994
And here are the first ADs back in October 1994