CR
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Good question Emmanuel!
My strong preference is for the first generation Lange 1.
The iconic asymmetric design of the L1 dial is what first captivated me. It surprised me and felt like an evolutionary step in watch design. That captivation remains unabated.
The first generation Lange 1 movement evoked a similar poetry -- one which does not exist at all for me with the second generation movement due to the removal of the two sub-bridges from the current movement design. The difference for me is like looking at a landscape with different terrain features -- mountains, valleys, streams -- versus looking across a vast, flat plain. It's a bit monotonous. Of course, the current movement is technically superior, and that quest for technical superiority is what motivated Lange to revise the movement. I'm agnostic about the instantaneous date change. One the one hand, it is a technical improvement. On the other hand, I kind of enjoy watching the slow date changeover (on the rare occasions when I actually see it).
I understand the appeal of the Saxonia thin for many people, though it doesn't align with my own preferences. I need to see something moving when I look at the dial of a watch, so the lack of a second hand is problematic for me. I also dislike the proportions of the stick markers -- too long and thin. And the placement of the Lange logo (along with the nearby "double sticks" 12 marker) creates an imbalance for me that makes the top of the dial look crowded when compared with the large amount of negative space everywhere else. The metal-to-sapphire ratio on the caseback is borderline acceptable to me. That is, the size of the back crystal is almost too small when compared to the surrounding caseback metal. I want to see a bit more movement/sapphire and a bit less of the surrounding metal on a watch with a display back, so that the display back doesn't seem like a "forced" aesthetic choice. And I hadn't noticed the lack of perlage and microbeveling that aviya pointed out (I'm bad at observing those details), which don't bother me but are interesting observations. I find the other Saxonia models (that blau and especially lm6 posted) to be much more appealing -- as well as the ancient (and very small) 105.xxx Saxonia models, especially the 105.025 (PT/rhodium dial) and 105.027 (WG/blue dial).
Thanks again for the great question. Always interesting reading the responses!
💰442 Marketplace Listings for A. Lange and Söhne›A. Lange and Söhne Saxonia · 1 for sale · 1483 discussions›
Lange 1 vs Saxonia Thin
Two A. Lange & Söhne timepieces, both in rose gold : Lange 1 (ref. 191.032) - 38.5 x 9.8 mm Saxonia Thin (ref. 201.033) - 37 x 5.9 mm Do you have a preference ? As much as I admire the design of the Lange 1 , I would personally choose the Saxonia Thin bec...
I would pick the L1 for the overall design & execution that has made it an icon (plus I own one).
The Saxonia to me seems like more of a formal / dress watch. I think the L1 is overall more wearable.
I completely understand your feeling
and I’m aware that I’m probably in the minority, but each time I’ve tried both, my preference went to the ST… 🤷🏽♂️ Best, Emmanuel
I’m glad we feel the same way, David.
Except that I own none of the two! Best, Emmanuel
Prefer the first one due to the design.
I don’t really care about thin watches so it’s not a consideration for me.
I totally understand your feeling
and there’s no doubt that the icon is the L1. I just happened to prefer the ST each time I’ve tried both on… 🤷🏽♂️ Best, Emmanuel
Tough...
I like the dial of the L1 ever slightly more than the Saxonia Thin (which I also adore) but prefer the movement of the Saxonia Thin for the same reasons you outlined. If we were comparing with the first gen 101 L1 movements, then the edge goes to the L1. ...
Having both would of course be the ideal solution !
Maybe someday! Best, Emmanuel PS: I personally don’t find the 1st gen caliber of the L1 more attractive than the newer one. Caliber L901.0 has a smaller power reserve, a dragging date and aesthetically the “islands” do nothing for me (in fact they’re just...
That’s another great choice.
I personally like the minimalist design of the ST, but I understand that it can feel too plain to some of us. Best, Emmanuel
L1 for the iconic asymmetric design
But I would go for the 1st gen.. just find the movement to be nicer
If I chose a L1 I would want the second gen
movement: better power reserve and instantaneous date. Aesthetically, the “islands” of caliber L901.0 do nothing for me: in fact I think they’re just a commodity for an easier maintenance. Best, Emmanuel
I see your point
The 2nd gen has a more technical movement.. I think the second hand also stops at 12 when the power reserve runs out.. which is a nice little detail
The Lange 1 is the icon of A. Lange und Soehne, and the asymmetric dial design is very Saxony.
However, my choice is the Saxonia Thin. I almost bought one about 8 years ago, and to this date I still regret that I didn't buy it.
I agree with you completely.
The icon is the L1. But the one I would like to own is the ST… Best, Emmanuel
For me personally i think i would pick the L1 .
Still regret selling mine a long time ago.
Choosing the L1 makes a lot of sense, of course.
But each time I've tried on both, I've had a preference for the ST: just more my kind, I guess... 🤷🏽♂️ So I totally understand a different choice. Best, Emmanuel
I love this watch.
It's the Lange I'd like to own, personally. Thanks for sharing yours. Best, Emmanuel
Lange 1 for me, for sure
More iconic and has more character. It’s the quintessential Lange design that has gone down in the history books. Best Gatsby
You're absolutely right: the L1 is the icon, no doubt about it.
I've just had a personal preference for the ST each time I tried on both... 🤷🏽♂️ But choosing the L1 makes a lot of sense, of course. Best, Emmanuel
My preference here is the Lange 1.
I have a Lange 1 and a Saxonia, but the Saxonia is not the thin version so it has a small seconds. The Saxonia Thin is to much empty space for my taste. Go with the one your heart tells you is right! ...
You have a wonderful duo!
I've always had a soft spot for the ST, for one reason or another: it's more my style, I suppose... 🤷🏽♂️ But I totally understand that it can feel too empty. Best, Emmanuel
Lange 1 for me.
I need more visual interest than the saxonia would give. Lange 1 is a classic
Definitely a classic.
And I totally understand that the ST can feel to plain, even if it’s not how I feel personally. Best, Emmanuel
Great post as usual, Emmanuel.
For me, the Lange 1 is incomparable - even against other Langes. Not that it's necessarily the "best" Lange (if there is such a singular watch) - but it is the original for the re-founding of the brand. And so unique dial-side. The Saxonia Thin is also a ...
You're absolutely right concerning the image I used,
which comes from ALS' website (as surprising as it may seem). These Hodinkee photos do the movement better justice. I fully agree with you too concerning the historical importance of the L1 and its “iconic” status. But each time I've tried both on, I ende...
Lovely duo - serve different purposes in my collection
If I had to chose just one, I would go Lange 1. I have both, although not the 'base' versions of each. I have the WG L1 MP, and the Saxonia Thin Copper Blue. I always loved the simplicity yet perfection in design and execution of the Saxonia thin and chos...
You are very lucky to own both: a wonderful duo.
And of course, I fully agree with you that the L1 is the iconic piece and the most historically significant of the two. But for whatever reason, each time I've tried both on, it's the ST that signed to me. And I would personally stick to the ordinary rose...
The iconic Lange 1 191032 for me !
Such a particular dial ,,, 🔥… The Saxonia thin is very nice too but may be a little too « dressed up »for me … ...
The L1 looks great on your wrist and it's definitely the true icon.
It just so happens that each time I've tried on both, my preference went to the ST (for whatever reason)... 🤷🏽♂️ Best, Emmanuel
Good question Emmanuel!
My strong preference is for the first generation Lange 1. The iconic asymmetric design of the L1 dial is what first captivated me. It surprised me and felt like an evolutionary step in watch design. That captivation remains unabated. The first generation ...
CR, I have to confess something
I have also come to prefer the look for the Saxonia that lm6 posted (216.026, I think, thanks to your spreadsheet) to the one I own (219.026).
And reading your answer was definitely very interesting. Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts in this detailed way.
As you've understood, I feel differently, but I fully understand your taste for the first gen L1 movement with the “islands” and your dislike of the ST. The only thing I can say is that my personal experience is that each time I've tried on both the L1 an...
These personal differences are what make this fun, rather than an infinitely self-affirming echo chamber!
I truly enjoy hearing why people love what they love, especially when our tastes differ. Ever since I was a little kid, I've disliked watches with long, thin, stick markers. I can't explain why. Same way I feel about hard-boiled eggs, which register more ...
I really like your expression "self-affirming echo chamber"
and I completely share your rejection of such a chamber and your taste for discovering how others think and feel. Enjoy your Easter weekend!
Thanks for this post. I own the Lange 1 in your post. I could also see myself owning the Saxonia Thin...
...a watch that is Simplicity and Perfection. I just feel the dial may be a bit too plain; I need to see it once to be sure. BUT, in an industry with a lot of loud, large, "noisy" watches, the Saxonia Thin is refreshing. Its packs quite a bit of horologic...
Both are great watches.
I just happened to prefer the ST each time I had the opportunity to try on both. The understatement appealed to me a lot. Best, Emmanuel