My answer may come as a slight surprise...

I normally try to stay away from these kinds of questions; watches are like shoes, they're incredibly personal. I really can't make a suggestion for you. However, I have such strong feelings about these two watches that I wanted to share my thoughts.

I saw the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon about a year ago and I've said in the past that I was a bit disappointed with the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon; the watch was much too thick, the crystal was much too thick, the chain didn't look delicate enough - it looked too crude, and overall the watch wore much larger on the wrist than I would've liked it to. The big balance wheel on the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon is a plus. Tourbillons are most effective when the balance wheel "has a large moment of inertia" or when the balance wheel is large. Overall, I would say; I love the concept of the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon, but I didn't love the watch as much as I loved the concept of it (don't get me wrong, I like this piece, I even think it is perhaps the best Breguet on the market).

On the other hand, the Lange One Tourbillon is a nice watch. There is nothing wrong with the Lange One Tourbillon (perhaps the balance wheel and cage is a bit on the small side), but there's nothing terribly fantastic about the Lange One Tourbillon when compared to other tourbillons (yes, it is beautiful, it looks fantastic on the wrist, it is practical, it has a hacking second hand). However, overall, I'm not terribly intrigued by the Lange One Tourbillon.

Between the two watches that you mentioned, I would acquire the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon, however...

If it were my money. Honestly, I would try to acquire the Richard Lange Pour Le Merite, the one with the chain and fusee and the enamel dial (a problematic enamel dial apparently). Only the rose gold models are available currently, but this is a watch that is truly unique and represents something.

Feel free to PM me if you have further inquiries about my rationale.

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Lange 1 Tourbillon or Breguet La Trad fusee chain Tourbillon

By: Hororgasm : June 28th, 2010-14:47

what do you guys think? show of hands on either choices? any thought process highlighted woiuld be appreciated.

The Lange for me !

By: foversta : June 29th, 2010-12:10

First of all, the new Lange 1 Tourbillon has a stop second tourbillon. Good point. I was not totally seduced by the Breguet Tradition. Because I found it too thick and because the links of the chain are too big. The visual result is not that attractive IM...

The Breguet for me!

By: WHL : June 29th, 2010-18:25

If you're going to show the tourbillon mechanism from the dial side, then you should really show it!! I love the big balance wheel on the Breguet as well. Bill

not really comparable

By: COUNT DE MONET : June 30th, 2010-05:41

Lange: a limited model with more complications Breguet: a chain and fuse watch Technically: the Breguet is to be favored Aesthetically: Lange as apparently thinner A good compromise was mentioned in choosing a Lange chain and fuse watch, if the tourbillon...

thks fr your input

By: Hororgasm : July 1st, 2010-06:51

the La trad chains might be thick, but it sort of fulfilles its pocket watch, "bare knuckles" concept, perhaps dare i say even "highlighting" the fusee chain

Unfortunately can't..

By: Rob : June 29th, 2010-22:10

but if my funds allowed, will get BOTH. Why? BOTH represent something which the other does not. Lange 1 tourbillon is calculatingly cool while the Breguet La Trad is emotional and inspiring like how old pocket watches were, a fact that Breguet proudly sha...

thks fr your motoring references

By: Hororgasm : July 1st, 2010-07:07

that helps put thigns in perspective. but i would say Lange may be the Ducatti, but the la trad is like a Moot Guzzi or Harley or even a old Royal Enfield. and funds DOES NOT permit me to acquire both...and already mortagaging house to simply get one.

The Lange 1 Tourbillon.

By: amanico : June 29th, 2010-23:30

A top elegant an understated watch. The platinum version is just sublime. The Breguet La Tradition Fussé à chaine Tourbillon is so ( too ) thick for my taste. Best, Nicolas

thks fr your tots

By: Hororgasm : July 1st, 2010-07:15

aside from the "looks", anything else you find objectanble abt the La trad? the qualities of the Lange is well know.

My answer may come as a slight surprise...

By: patrick_y : June 30th, 2010-00:01

From a simple laymans point of view................

By: Topcat30093 : June 30th, 2010-02:40

I would have to go with the L&S, purely from the fact that I much prefer it's appearance over the Breguet.

What is the problem with enamel dial ?

By: COUNT DE MONET : June 30th, 2010-05:43

Do they crack easily ? And: is it very difficult to get one RL Pour le merite? Regards Moritz

Difficulty in manufacturing...

By: patrick_y : June 30th, 2010-17:26

The entire Richard Lange Pour Le Merite collection was delayed because of the difficulty in manufacturing a three part dial. Joining the three parts is a very difficult process.

Problem is that at this point

By: Jester : July 5th, 2010-22:37

I'm not even sure if the manufacturer is intending to resolve the problem. Of the three that I have personally inspected and subsequently passed, all shown very uneven joint between the dials, even viewed with naked eyes. Once under the 50x loupe, all sho...

thks fr your input and thoughts.

By: Hororgasm : July 1st, 2010-06:58

i too am inclined to the La Trad simply becoz i feel conceptually it s a "kick ass" watch. i like the La Trad range anyway, again, for its pocket watch inspiration, semi-raw, dare i say victorian semi-industrious look!! the Lange 1 tourby just seems like....

The Breguet for me...

By: peregrino : July 1st, 2010-07:16

... Because it just screams out loud... MAAACHIIIINEEE!!!!!!! for the WIS wrist And I love a huge balance in a chronometer watch. Easy choice, this one. Best Rob.