A. Lange & Söhne manual wound?

[mretzloff]

Excuse my ignorance, but why are most A. Lange & Söhne watches manual wound (as opposed to automatic)? Is there a reason, such as the way they are built, or is it "just 'cause"?

Thanks.

[boa2]

All high-end watch manufacturers (Patek, Breguet, AP, Journe, etc.) make manually-wound watches, particularly those that lean more toward dress than sport. Lange does not make sport watches, though their Langematik (and Saxomat) are automatics. All of their watches have an exhibition back, and manually-wound movements tend to offer better viewing--in my opinion--because of the absence of the rotor.

Lastly, wind one and it will make sense. It's a near sexual experience, one you would not want to surrender to the watch itself.

[Terry Newton]

Originally Posted by boa2

All of their watches have an exhibition back, and manually-wound movements tend to offer better viewing--in my opinion--because of the absence of the rotor.

Lastly, wind one and it will make sense. It's a near sexual experience, one you would not want to surrender to the watch itself.

Agree with all of the above. I tried on a few at Christmas time. I also got to wind a couple. They make the most beautiful music and, it is a pleasure looking at the gears, while winding it. Beautiful watches. They hold most of my grail watches.

Terry Newton

[mretzloff]

Originally Posted by boa2

All high-end watch manufacturers (Patek, Breguet, AP, Journe, etc.) make manually-wound watches, particularly those that lean more toward dress than sport. Lange does not make sport watches, though their Langematik (and Saxomat) are automatics. All of their watches have an exhibition back, and manually-wound movements tend to offer better viewing--in my opinion--because of the absence of the rotor.

Lastly, wind one and it will make sense. It's a near sexual experience, one you would not want to surrender to the watch itself.

Is there a reason that more Pateks than Langes are automatic? On average, how often do these manually-wound watches run until they need to be rewound?

I really would like to try on a Lange, but unfortunately there is no AD in my state. The Lange 1 MP is my grail watch.

Thanks for the info.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by mretzloff

Is there a reason that more Pateks than Langes are automatic? On average, how often do these manually-wound watches run until they need to be rewound?

I really would like to try on a Lange, but unfortunately there is no AD in my state. The Lange 1 MP is my grail watch.

Thanks for the info.

It depends on how the movement is designed. The MP1, with its twin spring barrels runs for 3 days. There are movements that can last up to 7 days after being fully wound. Being automatic is no sign of quality, it is just a mechanism. Personally I really like the hand wound movements a lot, partly because they bring back the pure essence of the mechanical watch. Lange are a prime example, the movements are breath taking

[boa2]

Originally Posted by mretzloff

Is there a reason that more Pateks than Langes are automatic? On average, how often do these manually-wound watches run until they need to be rewound?

I really would like to try on a Lange, but unfortunately there is no AD in my state. The Lange 1 MP is my grail watch.

Thanks for the info.

Many Patek watches are manually wound. They also make sport watches, which are all automatics. And they make far more models than does Lange. My suspicion--and experts could correct me--is that the primary difference is
due to the histories of the respective companies. Lange had a huge gap in its history, only re-emerging in the mid 90s with what instantly became an iconic watch, the Lange 1. They only produce around 6-7,000 watches a year (vs. 40,000+ for Patek), and they are all built with an unwavering nod toward the traditions of purist watchmaking. I suppose it could be said that while they make a variety of models, all are made of a specified standard and aesthetic.

The power reserve on Lange watches varies from around 36 hours (Datograph) to 31 days (see below)

I hope this input is helpful. They are truly stunning watches. My grail is the Richard Lange.

[mretzloff]

Originally Posted by boa2

Many Patek watches are manually wound. They also make sport watches, which are all automatics. And they make far more models than does Lange. My suspicion--and experts could correct me--is that the primary difference is
due to the histories of the respective companies. Lange had a huge gap in its history, only re-emerging in the mid 90s with what has become an iconic watch, the Lange 1. They only produce around 6-7,000 watches a year (vs. 40,000+ for Patek), and they are all built with the same investment in the traditions and history of purist watchmaking. I suppose it could be said that while they make a variety of models, all are made of a specified standard and aesthetic.

The power reserve on Lange watches varies from around 36 hours (Datograph) to 31 days (see below)

I hope this input is helpful. They are truly stunning watches. My grail is the Richard Lange.

That is a nice watch too. If you have not already, visit Lange's website and order their free catalog and DVD (it is on YouTube, but the English subtitles are really blurry). The DVD really shows what you were talking about (the traditionalism of the watches).

You learn something new everyday. Thanks everyone

EDIT: I guess I was wrong about the blurry subtitles. Here are those two videos I was talking about:

Video 1

Video 2

[topcat30093]

Originally Posted by boa2

All high-end watch manufacturers (Patek, Breguet, AP, Journe, etc.) make manually-wound watches, particularly those that lean more toward dress than sport. Lange does not make sport watches, though their Langematik (and Saxomat) are automatics. All of their watches have an exhibition back, and manually-wound movements tend to offer better viewing--in my opinion--because of the absence of the rotor.

Lastly, wind one and it will make sense. It's a near sexual experience, one you would not want to surrender to the watch itself.

Howard
I agree with what you said.
Though I was wandering if the 3 L&S that I have included into my post,could technically be described as Sports Watches. What do you think
1) A Dataograph Perpetual Calendar - this gorgeous watch contains 556 parts.
2) Dataograph
3) Double Split Datograph
4) the Stunningly beautiful (IMO) movement of the Double Split

[boa2]

Tony,

That would make your PP 5146 a sports watch, which I personally don't see it as being. I was thinking more along the lines of the Aquanaut or Nautilus lines, which although they can be worn for dress, they are designed with higher water resistance ratings and have altogether simpler movements.

The other thing to keep in mind is that some companies will create an in-house movement that becomes the base for several other movements used in a range of their models. As I understand it, each Lange movement applies to a specific watch.

Anyone seen the newest release, the Richard Lange Pour le Merite? Check out the movement on this little piece of magic:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...=4167497&rid=0

[Terry Newton]

Originally Posted by boa2

Tony,

That would make your PP 5146 a sports watch, which I personally don't see it as being. I was thinking more along the lines of the Aquanaut or Nautilus lines, which although they can be worn for dress, they are designed with higher water resistance ratings and have altogether simpler movements.

The other thing to keep in mind is that some companies will create an in-house movement that becomes the base for several other movements used in a range of their models. As I understand it, each Lange movement applies to a specific watch.

Anyone seen the newest release, the Richard Lange Pour le Merite? Check out the movement on this little piece of magic:

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...=4167497&rid=0

Man is that ever a beautiful piece. Only 50 of them being made in a limited edition. I wonder what the cost will be.

Lange does something truly special with all of their watches; build them to get them working, tear them apart to finish, and rebuild them after they are finished. What an obsession to perfection.

The 31 day movement is going to cost around $300,000, but is fabulous looking.

I love the Richard Lange also. It does not have the date but is a gorgeous model nonetheless. I love the long, blue, seconds hand and, at 41 mm it is nicely viewable and, is an observatory watch, which is highly accurate. I did try this one on at Christmas time. One of the few times I regret not being a multi-millionaire.

Terry Newton

[boa2]

Originally Posted by Terry Newton

Man is that ever a beautiful piece. Only 50 of them being made in a limited edition. I wonder what the cost will be.

Lange does something truly special with all of their watches; build them to get them working, tear them apart to finish, and rebuild them after they are finished. What an obsession to perfection.

The 31 day movement is going to cost around $300,000, but is fabulous looking.

I love the Richard Lange also. It does not have the date but is a gorgeous model nonetheless. I love the long, blue, seconds hand and, at 41 mm it is nicely viewable and, is an observatory watch, which is highly accurate. I did try this one on at Christmas time. One of the few times I regret not being a multi-millionaire.

Terry Newton

I believe the PT version of the Pour le Merite is around 100,000 Euros. The Rose Gold version is something like 75-80,000 Euros. At $25,000 retail for a RG "standard" Richard Lange, it looks like quite a bargain.

I particularly like the center seconds hand of the Richard Lange. It's my one "must have" watch. Someday...

[topcat30093]

Hi Howard
I suppose that I was taking the view that a sports watch would be a watch that is fairly robust and could be used in a sport activity i.e. the chronograph on the L&S that I showed.
I guess that you are refering more to the all round capabilty of a watch,such as it being 100% waterproof like the Nautilus, Aquanaut, Rolex etc.
In which case the Dataograph range would not fit into that catergory, as I think that it has only got a 30-50m water resistant capabilty. And I certainly wouldn't like the 5146 to get anything more then a splashing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[boa2]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

Hi Howard
I suppose that I was taking the view that a sports watch would be a watch that is fairly robust and could be used in a sport activity i.e. the chronograph on the L&S that I showed.
I guess that you are refering more to the all round capabilty of a watch,such as it being 100% waterproof like the Nautilus, Aquanaut, Rolex etc.
In which case the Dataograph range would not fit into that catergory, as I think that it has only got a 30-50m water resistant capabilty. And I certainly wouldn't like the 5146 to get anything more then a splashing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhh...to not only have the ability to afford a Datograph, but to go jogging with it as well. That would be heavenly!

[Trurolexer]

Manual more "SEXY" to me.

[Jedi]

TR, that is so true my friend.

I love the tactile interaction that comes with winding up my manual wind watches when they are in rotation!