A. Lange & Söhne

This is my first post here, as I am more active in the Audemars and Panerai sections. My reason for this thread is to try and narrow down the perfect first dress piece. I have followed Lange and browsed this section for quite a while. I truly appreciate the incredible works of art produced and would love to purchase my first soon. I have numerous sporty pieces from an Audemars Grand Prix to a Panerai 127.. however, I feel it's the right time to move away from "sporty" and into "dressy".

I do not have many requirements.. aesthetics are most important to me, as well as a clean, easy to read dial. I typically where a larger watch, although my wrist is barely over 6". I do prefer Rose or Yellow gold. My first thought was to start with a base 1815 in 40mm and then work my way into the brand like I have with other fine watch companies. Although, lately I have been lusting at the Saxonia Annual Calendar for its beautifully laid out dial. However, the Sax AC seems to be more frowned upon and unpopular compared the most other Lange's? Is there a specific reason for this? The Lange 1 Moonphase is another contender, however, honestly I think I prefer the Sax AC dial to the L 1 Moonphase.. aesthetically speaking. So I come to you Lange experts in search for my possible first. Looking forward to hearing your opinions and responses.

Regards,
Jared

For any watch brand, there'll be models that are more favoured and others that are "neglected". For Lange, this happen to be their automatic line. Historically, Lange is famous for their manual calibres, and I guess that explains the slightly lack of enthusiasm to their automatic watches. The same can be said of their Langematik line. I had one of those and I can tell you the quality is top notch, and Lange would not compromise anything in any of their models. The other reason why the Saxonia annual calendar have a "colder" reception is that it's a relative new model and not many have gone around yet.

I guess what matters most is what YOU love. If you are in love with the Saxonia AC, there's no reason to get a L1 MP or another model that you are less passionate about, just because the AC doesn't get the same attention as the other models. Personally, I think the Saxonia AC is gorgeous yet competitively priced.

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Thank you for your response. I did not know that their manual calibres are more favored than their automatics.. interesting. Your right..  the Sax AC is relatively new and has just been exposed to the public and needs some breaking in I guess. I will ultimately go with what I love and choose a piece that speaks to me, regardless of what others say. However, its great to see all the kind and welcoming responses that can help guide me in the right direction and open my eyes to things I never knew about the brand. Which will ultimately allow me to form my own thoughts and opinions and let me choose the right piece for me.

I have a feeling that it is a classic in the making--simple, refined, and of so Lange!

J

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.. hello Jared.  Welcome to the Lange world.  I am not such a long time lange lover either myself.  You have very good replies so far.  But with all due respect to other replies you have received so far, here is what I think, what I personally think.

I believe that being "dressy" means sometimes smaller watches, rather than larger watches which may dangle around your wrist showing out of the sleeve.  Here I assume that you wear the long sleeve and potentially jacket when you say "dressy".   Being dressy can be somewhat discrete, as opposed to playful, show-off, flashy.  When someone meets you for the first time at an official event or occasion, you do not want his eyes glued on your wrist.  The watch does not have to show out of the sleeve, may be half is okay.   I have made all my business shirts so that no one sees what watch I wear.  (Disclaimer: the different situation calls for different meaning of being dressy, I admit!)

Sorry for being long, but with your wrist size (mine is 6.45"), I would recommend something much smaller than 39mm.  Lange 1 or L1 MP may be Okay.  You are also in luck because there are still 36 or 37mm Langematik, Saxonia, 1815, 1815 U/D are still available in the pre-owned market.  My recommendation is to look for those discontinued master pieces in the pre-owned market.  The color would be your choice, but I would prefer white metal for "dressy" watch in my definition.

Good hunting and please let us know and share some pics when you have decided.

Ken

I never thought of "dressy" as how you potrayed it in your post.. but after reading it twice.. I am starting to agree with you. The 40mm may be too big.. I will have to compare the 36, 37 and 38.5's to the 40 and see which speaks to me more. I'll be honest the Rose catches my eye the most, and I think that is what I will ultimately choose but the piece, now that's a different story. Thanks Ken.. your thoughts are much appreciated! 

If the Saxonia A.C is appealing for you,  go for it and don't try to make your decision on others opinion.

After all, you will be the one who will wear it,  not the others.

Personally, I  find its aesthetic cold and not very inspired, therefore I don't like the Annual Calendar complication, and I would much prefer the simple 40 mm 1815, but once again, it is just my taste and opinion.

Best,

Nicolas

I will not make my decision based upon others opinions. However, it is great to read all the in depth thoughts and feedback that can help guide me in the right direction and teach me about pieces in which I may have not come across during my research.

Either hand wound or auto: both are under 40 mm, as you are looking for a formal watch.

As Ken, I have the same opinion about formal watches: 40 mm is an absolute NO.

Therefore a plain Soxonia thin with its 40 mm will look "vast".

With the 37 mm handwound and the 38.5 auto you should be very well equiped, if I consider your wrist size.

And: a dress watch has to be also thin, what the L1 moonphase and the AC is not.

The Saxonia AC, L1 MP and many other Langes are great casual elegance watches, yes, but formality is asking for absolute discretion.

A final note for the AC: I would not say that it is not an appealing watch ... not at all.


Hope is does not confuse you more than before ...


Regards

Moritz

I tried the 1815 (40mm), Lange 1 Moonphase, and Datograph just a few days ago. Photobucket says I have exceeded bandwidth so I am unable to post the pictures? Would love to get everyone's thoughts in regards to how the fit of the 38.5" looks to their eyes. I felt the 38.5" may be too small, but I was wearing a 47mm PAM 127 before I tried on the Lange's.. therefore I may have be skewed in regards to sizing.

The Lange collection doesn't seem so large compared to many other brands but in fact when you learn to go deeper in the collection you discover that they are all really different and complementary.

My first advice, as I went through this myself (and may be still on the way^^), is to go and see all the models in a Lange retailer. You may go finally for a watch that you didn't think of, at the beginning.

The fact that some are "automatic" is not at all a problem : everything depends on what you will do with it in you life. For example, I was strongly thinking about acquiring à Dato (manual), what we can see through the back glass is stunning.

But once I felt on a Langematik Perpetual (I know it's not the budget but it is just an example), I realized It is an amazing watch, but I had to forget the dato's back show. Finaly I know I will wear this watch as an everyday watch and I'm not necessarily fond of the manual winding. Thus, the automatic winding would completly fit my needs. The size inperfect for my little wrist. The complication is there too...

So I would trully recommend you to go and see them (not only on the net or in a catalog), then ask yourself how your are going to use it. Make your decision mature and .... go for it !

Conerning the watch, I would say the SaxAC is beautiful and dressy, with a great finish, and a poetic complication, not the same price than a 3 hands watch but it is really worth it.

Best,

Mark

I just responded to Moritz's post that I was able to try on 3 beauties a few days ago, however, I am unable to post up the pictures due to Photobucket's bandwidth limit! arghh.. I will be trying on the Sax AC this weekend in RG which I am assuming will be similar to the fit of the Lange 1 Moonphase. I have no preference regarding auto vs. manual. This piece will be worn occasionally, not everyday.. most likely for evening attire. So manual will be just fine. I can't wait to see the Sax AC in the flesh this weekend. Will update everyone after I try this beauty on!

I really like this watch because I find the dial very balanced and very readable. Moreover, it features the 3/4 rotor movement... which is not the case of all automatic Lange.





Listen to your heart!

Fx

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a Lange 1 MP in any metal. Good luck with your decision.

Tony

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