A. Lange & Söhne

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 gather some views on which would be a more worthwhile piece to get before making the decision.

Cheers! 

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 looking for more "support" from the fellow purists for you to make such decision..... as you mentioned a word "Investment".

Personally, I won't tie the word "investment" to the Lange (at least not at this moment). I would consider Lange is just another fine watch maker available for us. You should expect to see a major drop in its value at the time when you buy it. It is similar to a new car hit the ground.

Under the current market, I would say Patek is a synonym of "investment"... you should seriously consider Patek if the importance of the investment part is significant to you.

One more think you may need to consider... I hope you understand that the new Lange is a young brand. It has less than 20 years of history (http://www.alange-soehne.com/en/origin/the_comeback.php). For me, I don't believe that "buying" a old brand name (that was out of existence for decades) and using it again means anything to me. The new Lange has to build their own history, their own tradition.

If "pass on to my son" is also a significant part in your "investment", I would suggest you to consider something with track record (and well proven) for decades. Again, Patek is king here. They can (and they will) restore any watch they made in the past... no matter how old the watch is. They can even create new part to repair their watches if the old part is not available anymore.

Of course, in the end, buying a watch is a very personal and emotional activity.... just follow your will and ignore my stupid 2-cents of comments.

Good luck

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 at this point in time.

 

It would therefore be most helpful if I could some views on the value of these two watches, in terms of movement, material used, finishing and branding.  Aesthetic-wise, both are beautiful watches, which I would have gladly acquire both if I have the resources.

 

As mentioned, I am making this purchase with the intention of leaving a piece of valuable procession for my son.

 

I would greatly appreciate more views on which would be a more worthwhile piece to get as I would probably not be able to make another major acquisition for quite some time after this.

 

Cheers!  

hi,

I had a similar dilemma . I was about to purchase my last top quality timepiece which I would be passing on to my son. I had narrowed it down to ether a patek or a lange. I eventually decided on a lange1. I cannot add much to what the previous gentleman has stated and to which I completely agree. I was aware  that the patek was the better"investment" but I was buying the watch for me., and there lies your answer. we can argue all day which is the finer watch. We all have our opinions. I prefer Lange. As a company they really care about there customers and that is extremely important to me. The bottom line is they are both at the very top of there craft. I am also sure Lange will maintain your watch for as long as they exist. Whatever you decide both watches will last for several generations.

good luck on your quest, and let us know what you decide,

lind regards,

henry

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 from people who know, and those who don't. It is my wife's favourite.

 

 

I'm a new boy to this so if I'm getting off the point please excuse me. I have never seen a PP that I would buy (simply my taste) but almost every Lange I would buy if i had the asking price. There was an interesting point made about the depreciation (on both). I would like a steel Lange and in UK they seem to be £5-6k plus.  They are also thin on the ground but I have seen a Panoserve 65-01 for £3,590 but it's sold and a Panomatic Lunar at £3,675 still on offer. Both are a bit "sharp" for my current means but I'd go to £2k. Anyone got any views on further depreciation - do such watches bottom out after a number of years. Both are 2005/06 -  Thanks - George

...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)