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Part 8: Conclusion
My report is over now. I tried to make you understand how the whole collection is currently evolving by subtle touches. The big question of this year is to know if the improvements brought to various models have not too softened their personalities. After several days of thought about this question, I think that the positive side is the winner.
I was seduced by the Datograph up and down, by the technical features of the Lange 1 Tourbillon and PC and by the Grand Lange 1.
On the other hand, I expect a more daring attitude on some topics like the dials design and colours.
But the overall quality remains on top.
I would like to thank a lot the whole Lange team for the warm welcome and the time they dedicated to me. It was a great pleasure to spend with them these days at the SIHH. Lange booth became a friendly and warm meeting point at the SIHH. It is always nice to be considered as a member of the Lange family, I know that all the people who visited the Lange booth understand what I mean. We all felt the same.
Now we can't wait to discover what will be the SIHH 2013 Lange Menu ! Sure that Tino has a lot of ideas in his mind...
Fr.Xavier
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SIHH 2012: Lange & Söhne, a solid collection
I arrived at the SIHH on Tuesday so I first discovered the Lange novelties through the Press releases. I will be frank with you: I had a slight feeling of disappointment when I read them due to the impression of "deja-vue". But, as always, it is difficult...
Part 1: Booth
But why did I decide to speak about the booth? It is for me important because it contributes a lot to the success of the SIHH. Every way, same place... but different layout. The booth has a quiet and friendly atmosphere, you feel very comfortable inside a...
Part 2: Datograph Up and Down
We already spoke a lot of the new Datograph. You see in this world, there's two kinds of people my friend, those with loaded guns, and those who dig... oops, sorry, I made a mistake. Those who love the new version and those who stay with the original one....
Upgrading perfection, is it possible?
I would say, YES, and the new Datograph is the proof. As you say, some would stay with the "original", some would not. Love both, and would enjoy any of them with a BIG smile on my face, anytime. Personally I think Lange has made a GOOD job, so I congratu...
Some familiar faces? :)
I liked red color, and I'm not talking about Jacques' tie/napkin combination. Cheers. Vte This message has been edited by VMM on 2012-01-26 04:59:52...
Thanks a lot Vicente for this nice souvenir !
And I can't forget Lucia's red dress ! Fx
Give it time..
I think the new one will win peoples' heart. The old one didn't satisfy all and for me the diameter/height ratio and the short PR has been addressed. I can see why they ommitted the Romans, so as to accommodate the PR indicator. Like you said, I think the...
I agree with you
I think that it will also be something else to give one's opinion in 2 or 3 months when we will be used to seeing it. As maybe for the new 1815 chrono (compared with the older version) the dial indeed "breathes" more and this could be something we may rea...
Thanks a lot Fernando !
You know, there will be no definitive answer about the Datograph Up and Down. We will discuss a lot about the two Datograph during the upcoming months and years ! Fx
You have summarised it perfectly.
My belief is that one will not replace the other. They are not the same watch! Not interchangeable. The differences are very deep. - The personality of the Classic Datograph is more Lange-like IMO: Romantic, Nostalgic, Wagnerian... different. It has more ...
Thanks a lot Fred for your input.
The new Datograph looks much bigger when compared with the original one. But as a stand alone basis, it is not that big: the thick bezel and the black dial makes it smaller than some other 41mm watches. Fx
Difficult to answer...
For a presentation of the new collection, maybe within 3 months. For seeing it in a shop window, maybe before summer ? But please don't take these answers as 100% sure. I will ask. Fx
Have to admit I like the new 41-mm version better
Not only due to the new size but mostly due to the baton hourmarkers. They are way more appealing compared to the Roman markers. In my very humble opinion, of course.
The Roman markers were a part of the charm...
They contributed a lot to the elegancy of first Datograph IMHO. Fx
Part 3: Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar
This is the superlative watch coming from Lange this year. - The first Tourbillon from Lange which is not visible dial side - The first automatic Tourbillon from Lange - An unusual dial lay-out for a perpetual calendar - An innovative month display You ha...
Thanks Richard !
Yes it is a superlative watch in terms of horological contents... and the price is also in the same territory! It is the reason why some of us would have been very happy to see a PC version only of the watch! Maybe one day! Fx
A dream of a watch!
DISCRETELY DARING. ELEGANTLY REVOLUTIONARY. Just like A. Lange & Söhne! Innovative. Clever. Discrete. Timeless. The perfect everyday watch for those who can afford it. This message has been edited by passetemps on 2012-01-26 02:12:46
Yes Fred.
But as I wrote, I would have prefered a more daring dial... even if this one is maybe the most "rational" lay-out. In terms of efficiency, the dial is perfect. Fx
I must confess I like this watch
I know the automatic, hidden tourbillon is not popular with many here, but I think the execution is impressive. It looks great on your wrist Fr. Xavier! I think you described the dial as a bit "crazy", but somehow it works for me. Best,
Part 4: Grand Lange 1
So here it comes, the Grand Lange 1 a lot of people have dreamed about... An enlarged case (40,9mm) when compared to the Lange 1... but smaller when compared to the previous Grand Lange 1 (41,9mm), a much thinnr watch (8,8mm)... and above all, the perfect...
A huge improvement..
over the previous G. Lange 1 IMO. Whether it's preferable over the Lange 1 remains to be seen. At least, now there's a choice for those that want a larger Lange 1 without sacrificing the original layout. cheers F
I don't agree with you Fred.
Of course I understand perfectly why the main part of us prefers the new version. But the previous one has its own charm, especially when it was redesigned a few years ago. It is a true Lange watch with... an originality in the collection thanks to its di...
Part 5: Lange 1 Timezone WG
Do you remember the Timezone Buenos Aires, a LE of 100 pieces? So here comes the WG Lange 1 Timezone without the blued hands but with luminous hands. There is nothing special to be added, I think that these luminous hands work well here and the watch is v...
Excellent!
I love the lume hands. A perfect example of very graaaaaaadual evolution. Love it!
It is funny...
Because the luminous hands are far from being mandatory with this watch... but well, they work well! Fx
Part 6: Saxonia Thin
The Saxonia Thin was unveiled last year with its PG version. It features an unusual diameter/thickness ratio (40mm/5,9mm) which gives it a very slender design. The thickness of the movement obliged the Lange team to make visible the ratchet and the crown ...
Probably the only one to catch my eyes this year
Now if only it was available in Pt! That is a different story! Stephen
As I wrote Stephen...
More than a change of material, I would have expected a different dial colour. Thanks for your input! Fx
40mm is quite wide for an empty dial...
To help balance the proportions i definitely hope that they adopt the 18mm strap on this watch, not the 16mm strap, which is fine for up to 37-38mm diameter watches but looks uncompensated at 40mm. Very nice watch, but for me, i'd prefer the same in a 38m...
As I wrote previously in Nicolas' topic...
The high diameter /thickness ratio of this watch makes it the most slender of the collection. I think it would lose a part of its charm if reduced because it would become too close to the other Saxonia. Fx
Beautiful in its thinness and simplicity...
but still very German, very Lange. I think the detail of the markers help it hold the large dial size.
Part 7: Ladies' watches
Ladies were not forgotten and Lange did a very clever move in my point of view. This year, Lange proposes automatic watches for them. With gems set bezel and MOP dials, these Ladies' Saxonia are exquisite watches with a central rotor movement. I would lik...
A RARE example...
...of how diamonds can be really elegant! A very beautiful watch. Maybe the nicest diamond watch ever made... It doesn't shout! What a relief! And it looks not only very classy, but also veeeeery SEXY on a woman's wrist! Mmmmmm. Well done, Lange!
Part 8: Conclusion
My report is over now. I tried to make you understand how the whole collection is currently evolving by subtle touches. The big question of this year is to know if the improvements brought to various models have not too softened their personalities. After...
Merci for the report Xavier!
And as with alot of folks here, look forward to next year's show already! Tschuss Stephen
Thanks for your excellent write-up.
While I concur that the quality and finish of Lange are the top notch, I am not too comfortable with the easy "bigger the better" trend now entering this great house of Lange and frankly at a bit of loss why Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual has tourbillon on ...
Thanks Ken!
Let's go back to the Lange 1 Tourbillon PC. I doubt that if the watch is PC only, it would becom smaller due to the month display. It would become thinner for sure. Thanks a lot for your input and comments! Fx
Thank you FX for the
ever so clear and exaustive report. A pleasure to read,surprisingly,I appreciate the Grande Lange 1,a different watch from the previus,less carachter but a lot of little tech changes that could lead the way to a "new"lineof watches.Oliver was right. Perp ...
Thanks a lot Mo!
But I would like to tell you that your Grand Lange 1 remains a very beautiful watch with its originality which puts it in a special place in Lange history. The new Grand Lange 1 is not a "successor", it is a different one. Fx
Thanks FX
Not bad watches for sure this year, but we expect more from Lange, just because we love them Hope 2013 will SOUND differently ^^ cheers Francois
Eh eh François...
Who knows ? Your first sentence is so true. We are very demanding because we all love this Manufacture. Fx
THANK YOU FOR THE FANTASTIC REPORT!
Almost as good as being there. Just almost This message has been edited by passetemps on 2012-01-26 02:13:56
That is also the purpose of our reports Fred.
To give you an in-depth information and to bring you back a "part of the SIHH". Fx
Great exhaustive report Fx !
Having pics and reading your thoughts about a collection novelties is something that press releases can't bring. I already gave my opinion on these evolutions in the Lange forum but I can add that I join your point concerning some more specific aesthetics...
I do agree with you Mark.
But be sure that we will come back often to the dial topic here. Thanks for your message! Fx
Thank you FX..........
For a nicely constructed and balanced report. I am in total agreement with in regards to the Datograph, I love it and look forward to seeing one in the flesh so to speak Not being a fan of Roman Numerals, this is one of the best improvements for me. Regar...
Thanks Tony.
About the Roman figures, they gave the very elegant touch in the first version. So again, it is a matter of taste. Fx
FX, you are great.
Wonderful posts. After you explanation, I ask myself if perfection can be improved... Thank so much.
"Solid" is the word.
Very well chosen, my friend. We are under the same impression. SOLID steps are what is needed now. No nonsense, no crazyness. Secure steps. And always in one direction: the pursuit of pure perfection. Technological wonders. Strong personality. Restrained ...
More Kunstuhren, please ...
It is a very modern line up this year, not a problem with that. The Dato for the chrono guys, the pp calendar for the complicated guys, the thin for the discret but a little bit statement still guys, the new grande Lange 1 for the same guys like the Saxon...
I can't agree more Moritz.
I think you say a key word: romantic. Something less controlled, less "perfect" but with a lot of soul. You highlighted something important. Thanks a lot for your comments! Fx
You probably mean "Baroque" rather than "Romantic"
Of course the term "Romantic" would not do with your mention of the "17th Century" But furthermore, historically BAROQUE is the soul of the amazingly beautiful city Dresden, from which Lange extracts its origins and inspiration. I agree that the inspirati...
Still thinking that thet are more technical, and they have less soul.
Still waiting for the WOW effect... It would have been worked for me, on two of these new releaes: THe Grande Lange One and the Saxonia Thin... If the first one could come with a black dial, and if the second one could be a tad smaller... And with a black...
Thanks a lot for your input Nicolas.
The mix of technique and soul was the definition of the success of the first steps. I trust that soul can be found in a less controlled work, actually when you listen more to your heart than you follow too many rational principles. I understand your point...