A. Lange & Söhne

 Guten tag everyone!

I trust you all had a fabulous start to the week!

It seems like we all have been surprised once again by Lange last week the the launch of the Handswerkkunst.

And the focus happens to be on the Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Merite since it's launch at SIHH 2011. There have been numerous mixed opinions regarding this, with some of us old school passionists not so liking it, to some of the newer fans absolutely loving it.

We have seen alot of Langes in recent times that seem to stray away from  the design style that we know and love of Lange so much.

Honestly, what happened to the good old days with pieces such as the Original Lange Tourbillon Pour le Merite? The Lange 1A in a then fascinating and seems-to-still-be-so with last week's launch of a dial in gold? The purity in size and design of the Anniversary Langematik? ( Of which i know many folks here such as my dearest friends mon ami Nico and KIH totally dig into). And even the Lange 1 Tourbillon in Pt i personally in my most humble Indonesian 2 rupiahs find to be that much MORE appealing than the RL Tourbillon PLM. The most daring Lange could have gone and yet somehow remain "true" was the way of the Double Split, of which we all bidded a very sad farewell to with it's discontinuance. 

It is a design action that Lange is to be commended for, bold big step they took when they decided to go the way of the Zeitwerk.

BUT, for me, and for some of you here, such as you Bro and my dearest friend Amery, i know that there can ONLY BE ONE.

So to remind us of those times i'v decided to bring back some memories of the GOOD OLD PURISTIC days.

This is of the night that i saw the Richard Lange Pour le Mérite AKA the "KING" for the very 1st time in the metal.

Boy was the feeling THAT moment absolutely the best and unrepeatable for what i fear to be for perpetuality.

Here's hoping that Lange may give us folks the chance to have it all over again.

Tschuss and may your week be a fulfilling one!

Stephen

nothing can beat the King when it comes to simplicity (look-wise at least)... The normal on-looker would have absolutely no idea what goes on behind the scene...

It's simplicity yet power that it packs behind, the horological values that it represents.

I dont think it shall be beaten in a long long time to come.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Tschuss

Stephen

Stephen, your "King" is definitely one of the most successful from Lange, not just in terms of how well received the release is, but also in the whole design of the watch inside and out!

The perfect combination of a killer movement with a very complicated fusee chain system, done in nothing but Lange's top quality finish, paired with a clean multi part (my favourite!) enamel face, that is so classy yet it hides the sophistication of what's lurking behind the case, is a genius' touch!

You're very lucky to have this piece, and it's great to see you have so much admiration for it, even after this time of owning it, the love doesn't diminish!

As for the new pieces, some of them are hits and misses. While I applaud their innovation in the Zeitwerk, and I really love that digital display concept, however, I see the Striking Time variant as a bit too gimmicky. The RL Tourbillon PLM is meticulously crafted, but the dial design leaves some of us cold. The Handwerkskunst though, I think, looks much better than the original. I see Lange's actively seeking a evolution in their designs, a step forward, and while it's not all jaw-dropping, I think they will find the right direction! THE Manufacture that we all love deserve a lot more success heading into the future.

And whatever they choose to do in the future, i'm sure it will always differentiate themselves from the rest.

Thanks Sid!

And of course, i will love this sooooo much always!

Tschuss

Stephen

That brings a warm fuzzy feeling.

Thanks man for the reminder.

Best,

Horo

Glad to be able to conjure up such nice feelings!

Tschuss

Stephen

Our friends at A. Lange & Söhne seem to be overly focused on complex and convoluted designs recently...Too much! And frankly too expensive!!! There is so much more satiety in a L1 PT, Anniversary Langematik, L1 MP, 1815 or Richard Lange PT, and of course your Richard Lange PLM in PT. ...White Metal Rules! ;-)

Best,

--

Richard.

This message has been edited by -RWK- on 2011-09-19 08:54:07

Even after i'v look North, South, East & West, Up, Down, Left and Right, NOTHING I REPEAT once again EVER beats Platinum!

In fact, i can't stand it so much here's a shot of some VERY PURE (99.9999999%) Platinum!

Enjoy!

Tschuss

Stephen

 

Best,

--

Richard.

Have a great rest of the week!

Tschuss

Stephen

An understated look to a wonderful mechanical work of art.

Uno tutti bello orologio, si?

Ciao and trust you are fine!

Stephen

But it will remain a dream for me:



Thanks Stephen!

Fx

The tricolori knit somehow fits it very well, despite being opposing ( Deutsch vs Italiano) symbols!

But maybe thats because i love both cultures so much!

Who knows my friend, dreams DO become reality!

Reach higher and aim for the stars!

Platinum birth stars that is!

Tschuss

Stephen

 

From this, comes forth.......

THIS!

when I will find an oil pit in may garden.



Fx

Admittedly, when I first saw the RL TO PLM, I thought it was a bit gimmicky, but nevertheless fantastic in a fantasy dreamland kind of way.  Today, I find that I'm one of the few long-time Lange fans who actually like this watch. 

In general, I'm not a huge fan of watches that have their tourbillons exposed, as I prefer the discretion of a hidden tourbillon. 

Really LOVE THE KING though...  As you know my Bro, I like enamel dials.  Love this watch. 

Thanks for the pictures, I will never forget the day you picked up your watch. 

That day, was a FULL blast from the morning all the way till the night!

It was fantastic and i doubt it can ever be repeated ever again!

Tschuss

Stephen

Simple, clean, yet complicated. 

Regards

CP

Thanks CP!

Tschuss and have a great rest of the week!

Stephen

and I am wearing it now - gloriously - in the very dim lighting of my room.

I hope you are doing very well!

It is very nice to hear from you once again here!

Ah, but these photos are not recent at all, instead they were taken off when the 1st night that I saw the King!

Have a very good time with yours always!

Tschuss

Stephen

 

So important yet so subtle.  A work of art front and back.

To wind this masterpiece while looking at the caseback!

Thank you for your comments!

I sure will always!

Tschuss

Stephen

and one of the best watches ever. Glad you continue to enjoy it. While I am also not a big fan of the RL Tourbillon, I think that the recent offerings also continue a strand in Lange's design where mixed into all the sobriety and restrain is a little quirkiness. I like that aspect too. Like the recessed year dial and the subtle asymmetries in the Langematik Perpetual or the little "quirks" of the Datograph or the way the large date is not quite as perfect as GO's version. That's Lange too!

Best

Andreas

Thank for for pointing them out to me!

This shall help me look at others with a different perspective!

Tschuss

Stephen

THAT PLM of yours must have been and will be your best decision ever made in terms of choosing a watch.

Very happy for you and amery!

But the same are we here lucky to have you with us so that you can provide us, feed us with some crisp shots...

A dream, not from this world, not from this time.


Regards

Moritz

So poetic!

And fittingly so for this particular Lange!

It is my honour to be able to present this to you all!

Tschuss

Stephen

elegance and refinement personified.....

J

Absolutely correct about it!

Danke J!

Tschuss

Stephen

This message has been edited by BluNotte on 2011-09-23 00:57:36