alex
7312
let me be cynical but Lange's target audience is no longer the die hard collectors but
more mainstream.
Lange started by appealing to the purits watch geek crowd, it was a connaisseur's brand, but 5000 watches a year is way too much for that market which cannot absorb so many watches.
Furthermore, the "purists" market (I'm not using purists as members of this forum but in a generic manner) is not a faithful one and often goes for new flavors and Lange was an amazing novelty in 1994, they changed the watch industry IMHO with their technical and finish approach but the market of 1994 is not the same as the one in 2011 and Lange needs to adapt and find new clients.
Finally, the collector's / connaisseurs's market is made in majority of people who buy second hand and who don't want to pay full retail and as much as they are or were trend setters for the brand its not with us (i put my self here too) that their business will grow... which explains the models we have been seeing in the past years.
A. Lange & Söhne Opens Store in Hong Kong
After the launch of A. Lange & Söhne shops in Dresden, Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul, the exclusive German watch brand has now opened its fifth boutique, in Hong Kong. As of June, watch connoisseurs in the metropolitan area as well as neighbouring Mainland Ch...
Seems to be an impressive boutique !
I hope that I will be able to visit it one day ! Fx
Wow, wonderrful!
Beautiful and relaxing furniture/ color/ atmosphere as usual. Would love to visit when in HK Ken
Congratulations to Lange in Hong Kong...
A beautiful store that is much more bright and airy than their other stores I've visited in Dresden and Tokyo. I'd very much like to visit this store someday!
Looks great!
And a huge congratulations to Lange! May they be successful in spreading more the quality and beauty of " Made in Germany" . The seal above all seals! Tschuss Stephen
For location,ambience and
expertise shown by the friendly staff, a must see for ALS aficionados. And surprisingly well stocked; when I was there anyway.
Looks great!
Especially impressed with the exterior. Sure beats the one here in Tokyo.
And probably buy.......
The Honey Gold Turbograph and Platinum DS as souvenirs! Yah nga bro? Stephen
We are exactly at half way mark for the year
I don't think you will be able to hold out till next year! - Best, Horo
Very timely, thks Kong
Going to HK in 2 weeks time, just perfect!! The boutique looks exquisite, as expected being a Lange boutique. How are the stock avails? Any Zeitwerks there for sale? Best, Horo
Very colonial ambience, I must say, but cool !
Thank you very much for the post, first. Truely timeless, classic interior but a bit too much colonial ... Certainly, Germany had also its share in colonising parts of the world, but it was never or is perceived quintessential German, like for the Brits. ...
I was there,
In the past two weeks i've visited this Lange boutique several times, the reason is i brought to them my Lange 1 to check the accuracy and to order the leather booklet of my 1815 Chronograph in replacement of the one i lost recently. Mr. Patrick Choi (bou...
missed it by a few days when I was in HK last ...
Will definitely go check it out next time I go to HK. Perfect location in my opinion.
Which raises a question...
The Lange production was around 5 000 watches, maybe even less, these last years. With so many new Boutiques, does that mean that Lange wil increase its production number? And another question... Is it compatible with the spirit of the brand? Food for tho...
Good point! I wondered also about ...
the combined production of limited models along with standard version of the same. Will say, a chain and fusee watch is now in regular production, as it was before only used in limited. Surely, collectors will not be storming into the shops now and order ...
That is the danger, indeed. Even if I doubt that Lange is able to ...
Reach a massive production, let's say that a larger production may risk to compromise the brand's philosophy. There is a very thin and dangerous boarder, here... Best, Nicolas.
On the other hand: it is chance ...
... for the true enthusiast to catch a piece that is rarely available on the secondary market or has become "completely unreachable". My lifetime catch would be a "new edition" of the Tourbillion Pour Le Merite, like the first edition in the 38,5 mm 1815 ...
More nice watches, of course it is ok.
BUT are we sure that what Lange will gzin in quantity, they won't loose it in quality? I fear that the birth of a classic rotor announces some massive production. While the 3 quarter rotor was / is exquisite and so Lange. Therefore, are you sure that coll...
Where Lange went "cheap" ...
You are right: there are a few signs that can make the Lange fan a bit apprehensive: - the "new" annual calendar --> not a new movement, just two parts spared. - the new Saxonia Auto --> gold PLATED rotor, only. But I do not believe that the new Daymatic ...
let me be cynical but Lange's target audience is no longer the die hard collectors but
more mainstream. Lange started by appealing to the purits watch geek crowd, it was a connaisseur's brand, but 5000 watches a year is way too much for that market which cannot absorb so many watches. Furthermore, the "purists" market (I'm not using purists...
Certainly: Lange is mainstream ... but not much is wrong with that ...
as they still produce some very pretty watches. Lange has become unfortunately a playball of the big players in the business world and went from take over to take over. Now, engulfed into Richmond, I wonder if the independence has suffered from this too m...
my reference to market capacity was more on the extremely
technical aspects of Lange watches which appeal to a very small number who can understand them ex. Zeitwork, the hole RL collection, the double split etc.... that's why they came out with more "accessible" (intellectually) pieces in the recent past.
"Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril" Oscar Wilde ...
The peril in case the lovely RL PLM is that it ends in luxury's disappointment. Disappointment as it showes that it is only a game of interpretation mechanics and physics. But you are possibly right to say Lange and "intelectually fit collectors" go hand ...
I totally concur, Alex.
Lange took some distance with his first clients, but I also notice that the first years have been very rich, in terms of novelties, and that the inspiration has gone a bit since 2003 or 2004. Hence maybe the distance taken by the Collectors? Best, Nicolas...