“The Datograph and the Lange 1 are the iconic watches from Lange IMHO, the other Lange models, especially the later ones, are not comparable in terms of cultural and historical significance“
This is a quote taken from a post in this very Lange forum about 12 years ago, attributed to SJX (a name who some more recent participants here probably recognize from his excellent site of the same name). This too has been my unlearned view of Lange whic...
I had some thoughts of what else may be added to the Dato and L1, I'm just not sure anything since has exceeded those two.
The ZW would have been the next one for me, but ALS is not my domain and so I'm interested to hear what other's have to say.
well, i am new to ALS and not an expert. The Datograph Platinum is one of my grail watch indeed, but...
also like the Richard Lange Pour le Merite: and i know it is limited but 1815 "Homage to Walter Lange" ...
Like it or not, the zeitwerk should be the 3rd member of that group.
And why not the original 1815 pour le merite? In the words of sjx himself (article written years after the quote) watchesbysjx.com Of course when it comes to labels like "historical significance", only time will tell. But whereas 20 years ago it was b...
The ZW was the one other in my mind too.
The original 1815 PLM Tourbillon seems to be the collector piece at the high end, so clearly people believe it to be important. Perhaps it can never be as significant as the Dato and Lange 1 are it's impact on Lange itself or the broader watch world was (...
You are absolutely right about Lange one.
The first in the lineage of many followers. The large date, the off center dial. Elents that are now mainstream. They were the first to do it at that level of execution. Datograph inspired PP, later others, to develop in-house manual chronographs. It is s...
For me it started with the simple 1815...
Then Sax-O-Mat and Up & Down. All three simple beauties
Sax-0-Mat movement...
I too would pick the original Lange 1 and original Datograph as the two most iconic Langes if widespread notoriety and influence are the criteria, and I'd agree that the Zeitwerk and original Tourbillon PLM are right up there as well. That being said, I f...
Absolutely agreed, CR
Very well said. The more people came to realize the story and the significance behind the Sax-0-Mat, it'll claim its place. And as limited editions; Tourbillon PLM, Langematik Anniversary, Emil Lange for me too!
The Zeitwerk and Lange 1 are distinctive
But history will remember the Datograph above all others, for the impact it had on the industry. Phillippe Dufour said in an interview earlier this year that he is still waiting for the swiss to respond to the Dato's release
" In terms of cultural and historical significance ". These are the important words of this quote.
From a cultural and historical point of view, I have to agree with SJX. I would nonetheless include the Saxomat movement with its three quarter rotor you can find in such an important watch as the Langematik Anniversary. Best, Nicolas
Agreed Nico. If we talk about the most important or iconic Lange limited editions, then the Langematik Anniversary and the original Tourbillon PLM...
... would be my Top 2. I wouldn't know what to pick as the third. Personally it'd be the 1815 Moonphase, but that's probably not what everyone else might pick
There are a few watches you can argue as important for Lange as a brand.
But I personally feel only the Lange 1 and Datograph are iconic.
Since the quote serves as the parameters for this discussion, I agree. However, outside of the quote, the Zeitwerk is very significant!
While it doesn’t have the historical or cultural aspect on its side, although I could argue that the impetus for it is creation is historical (Dresden Opera House), the Zeitwerk brings additional credence and admiration to the brand. As I have written bef...
For me, looking in from the outside and with limited experience with Lange, the ZW jumps out at me. Maybe in the same way non watch enthusiasts are naturally drawn to it.
It’s a watch with perhaps the strongest visual presence not just within the Lange lineup, but in modern watchmaking. And of course it’s not just looks. A number of people have highlighted its impact on the brand, in terms of bringing additional “credence ...
I would add the original PLM Tourbillon
When it came out in the mid 90s, it wasn’t all too common to see a fusée in a contemporary wrist watch.