I totally agree Nico!

Mar 11, 2022,10:23 AM
 

There are many great watches out there and we are spoiled for choice.  Just for the record the Singapore boutique is directly owned by Richemont unlike some other Lange boutiques so this is happening with the knowledge of Richemont.  And again I agree with you that we are all different with differing principles when it comes to life and purchasing watches.  I have never bought a watch to get another yet. I might make an exception with this tasty Rattrapante as for me it is the ultimate watch even if I had to compare it with Dufour, Smith or Voutilainen. Yes, I am totally besotted with this watch.  Spending at least SGD60k on other Lange watches to possibly make this happen would not be a deal breaker (irrespective of principles) but that would only due to the marketability of Lange watches.  I am a firm believer unless one has unlimited funds, it is ok to finance the purchase of watches by selling some in our collection. The sale of the 'unwanted' Lange watches to access the Rattrapante would not be too dissimilar.


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The most beautiful watch ever!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-02:04
While visiting the Lange boutique in Singapore, I had a chance to try on a watch I had only previously seen in photos. I knew it would be too heavy and too large for me but it was one of those watches, any enthusiast would not give up the chance of trying...  

You are not helping my bank account Fabrizio! :-)

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-02:30
I have asked Lange Singapore to find our if there is any chance this watch might still be available to be sold on its own. The boutique had told me that I would have to spend at least SGD60k on other Lange watches which is their new policy before being al... 

LOL

 
 By: Gelato Monster : March 11th, 2022-02:36

I sure hope that the Thai owner is not a purist!!! :-)

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-02:38
or he may return the compliment!!!

Fabrizio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-02:59
You have just defined 'money talks, bullshit walks!'

;-)

 
 By: FabR : March 11th, 2022-03:12

Math and Number is undeniable truth

 
 By: Gelato Monster : March 11th, 2022-03:37

sham1,

 
 By: Gelato Monster : March 11th, 2022-04:05
will make Prof an offer he can't refuse

😂😂😉

 
 By: FabR : March 11th, 2022-08:43

Wishful thinking😁

 
 By: Gelato Monster : March 11th, 2022-03:36

I love your determination Sham!! ;-))) Totally in agreement in disapproving of certain sales tactics (even more so when they officially come from a brand, as it consistently seems the case with the Lange boutiques recently)...

 
 By: FabR : March 11th, 2022-02:44
BUT, given that this is a dream watch, I totally wish the best TO YOU my friend, rather than to your wallet! ;-)) It is honestly beautiful and unusual to see such a reaction in front a watch (I think I can only compare it with the Patek "Boccadasse" for m... 

Thank you Fabrizio!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-02:57
I am a firm believer than if something is meant to be, it will be. And if this beautiful watch is unavailable then, I will have to make myself happy by ordering the soon to be released Patek 5231G - yes, I have psychic powers!

Ha! ;-))

 
 By: FabR : March 11th, 2022-03:09

Only $60k sgd and you can get this watch allocation, sign me up!

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : March 11th, 2022-03:29
I would say Yes and wait for it. Apparently Lange practices are not standardized across the globe….sad.

As a principle,

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-05:55
I don't like being forced into buingy watches that I am not keen on but Lange watches can be resold these days quite easily and at minimal loss, sometimes even at a profit. So if that is what I have to do to obtain the Rattrapnte then, so be it!

So are they saying this is still available? I’m confused…i thought all sold? I know there are sets available….

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : March 11th, 2022-06:10
But are they going to break it up or still individual pieces of this Rattrapante available?

The watch is officially not available individually

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-08:46
There is an outside chance that they may be prepared to break up a set. An enquiry is being made. Please note that the Lange Boutique in Singapore requires a purchase of at least SGD60k to purchase any new limited editions. This is a new policy.

wow what a policy, soooo easy to say no

 
 By: christianch : March 13th, 2022-03:36
I suspect they want you to spend 60K and still won't give you what you want...

Actually not!

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-07:35
The sales person will first establish if the Rattrapante is still available before asking me to purchase at least SGD60k worth of watches. I must confess that the service I have received so far from the Singapore Lange boutique has been first class. They ... 

thanks for elaborating, I understand and I think the bottom line is

 
 By: christianch : March 13th, 2022-10:45
if you are happy with the boutique and service all is fine. It was very interesting to know what kind of policies are around nowadays. I only buy where I get a 5 stars 🤩 experience but then again I don't have a grail watch in the waiting that they could s... 

Agreed on all counts

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-12:36
especially on the five star experience and the madness currently prevailing in the market. I believe in buying what I like rather than what everyone else does. So no steel Rolexes, Royal Oaks or Nautliuses for me as I tend to be partial to dress watches. ... 

I think it also depends on who owns the Lange boutique

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-05:57
Not all Lange boutiques are owned by the Richemont Group. Some are owned by Wempe, Sincere Watches or Middle Eastern based dealers.

Nico, I would agree with you 99.9 percent of the time

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-08:52
Most dealers may request that one buys a watch from a slow moving brand before one is 'allowed' to buy the sought after watch. In this case, at least Lange watches are generally quite sought after so spending SGD60k on one or two of their pieces would not... 

Actually Nico I beg to differ

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-09:10
If people were not asked to buy 'unwanted watches' and could buy sought after watches as they pleased, it would encourage many more speculators to buy Royal Oaks, Daytonas and Nautiluses with the aim of selling them at a profit. True collectors will seldo... 

I totally agree Nico!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-10:23
There are many great watches out there and we are spoiled for choice. Just for the record the Singapore boutique is directly owned by Richemont unlike some other Lange boutiques so this is happening with the knowledge of Richemont. And again I agree with ... 

Indeed

 
 By: roberto : March 12th, 2022-15:41
I could not agree more. On principle I walk away and I have had a pretty bad experience with that Lange dealer in Singapore when I tried to order an Odysseus and showed them my 3 Lange purchase history dating back to 2008 all at Wempe NY, they were simply... 

I believe they were not keen on the purchase history from any other shop

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-17:13
but I doubt if they actually thought watches from their brand were not interesting! That would be a first!

Agreed!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-17:31
But most sales people are more keen on earning their commission from a sale. Customer service sometimes takes a back seat which is a big no no for me. I know of many watch sales people who know little of their products let alone that of any other brand. I... 

Hi Roberto,

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-17:11
I wish brands would take into account our past purchases from any shop in any part of the world but unfortunately they do not. One has to have a purchase history in one particular shop to qualify for the special pieces. I have purchased five new Lange wat... 

Yes however

 
 By: roberto : March 13th, 2022-07:37
Ferrari specifically keeps a database of purchases for this which is transferable and transparent to any dealer. It is still not a great practice, and you are subject to the dealer’s discretion as well, but from a brand perspective they will vet you posit... 

Correct!

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-07:43
Ferrari have got their act together a lot better than any of the watch brands. That is why they are arguably the most recognisable brand in the world. A similar practise by the watch brands would not go amiss and would attract a larger clientele in the lo... 

what a rude behaviour

 
 By: christianch : March 13th, 2022-03:38
that should be punished, vote with your wallet

We should never tolerate poor service from any shop.

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-07:39
But a purchase history from another shop even though it is for the same brand will not guarantee us preferential treatment and we should not expect any special treatment either.

me too!

 
 By: penfriend : March 11th, 2022-13:45
Maybe i should talk to Jerome about this...

Yep. ;)

 
 By: amanico : March 12th, 2022-11:21

I agree

 
 By: TeutonicCarFan : March 11th, 2022-22:03
I am not in this world. Buy one to buy another is paying grey market anyways. This is what rolex was doing to get BLNR before covid. Buy this date just to get the next blnr.... now they don't even do that because DJ are gone!

The watch industry has blossomed lately beyond recognition

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-01:25
Companies are taking advantage of this either by increasing prices, reclassifying many of their sought after watches as allocation pieces or simply 'forcing' customers to buy pieces to obtain another. All three practices might be deemed as good business m... 

For sure

 
 By: TeutonicCarFan : March 12th, 2022-02:19
It is not a a specific comment on your interest here and what the boutqiue said. Just lamenting how things have gotten. I feel bad that you can't spend (this large amount) money and get what you want. It really does look nice in the pictures. Good luck 👍 ... 

Thank you!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-03:18
I think it will take a minor miracle for me to secure this piece but if I do, it will be thoroughly appreciated.

I would always support this notion!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-10:19
But if I have a chance to acquire my grail (and I only have one!), I should not let it go

I think you should only keep watches that you truly love

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-07:36
whatever the brand may be.

That is not a problem!

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-12:32
In fact, that is a compliment to your watch selection. Few of us have bought so wisely!

:))))

 
 By: amanico : March 14th, 2022-07:21

Thanks Bill but

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-02:32
the watch is not mine and probably never will be! :-(

even if so..I say so what

 
 By: christianch : March 13th, 2022-03:39
you have so many gorgeous watches, some are just not meant to be may be

True!

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-07:41
If a watch is meant to be yours, it will be. If not, I believe it was not meant to be.

I have never ever contemplated

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-03:03
spending so much on a timepiece but I may make an exception this time knowing that if there was a piece still available, it would probably be the last piece for sale. I will be 60 next year so my body parts have no value any longer! A few bank robberies s... 

😂😂

 
 By: BigAppleBill : March 11th, 2022-03:15

I probably won't ever see one in person...

 
 By: mdg : March 11th, 2022-02:58
...although a friend is on the list. But in the photos is looks amazing. It's great that you got the chance to see it.

In a way, I wish I had not seen this watch!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-03:05
I am now addicted!

I hope she is now your wife!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-16:27
and not your mother-in-law!!!

;-)))

 
 By: FabR : March 11th, 2022-18:52

The piece looks magnificent on you Sham!

 
 By: RahulR : March 11th, 2022-03:59
I particularly like the honey gold. I have missed out many opportunities with Lange and now it feels like the barriers to entry are quite high, haha.

Nothing is too high for you Rahul! :-)

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-06:00
This Lange pales by comparison to your Patek collection!

I think if I am fortunate enough to be allocated one

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-12:32
the whole experience alone will make me treasure this watch for a very long time, if not forever. We all have our grails - this would be mine.

I hope you do! Good luck

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 11th, 2022-14:04

I am already asking myself

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-14:10
what can I sell to be able to afford this grail of mine. Body parts are not in the equation

...yet! ROFL

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 11th, 2022-14:12

They are not in the equation

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-14:13
because they are worthless!

ROFL!

 
 By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : March 11th, 2022-14:15

Love this rattrapante. Do you have more photos? You will come up with a solution. I'm sure there is a $60k Lange that you will also love or can trade in the future.

 
 By: emcquillan : March 11th, 2022-13:14
I thought every piece was sold out. That's what I was told by my AD and Lange New York. I tried for this piece, which in all honesty was beyond my budget, but for this I was willing to make the sacrifice. I had no idea there were sets of three. May I ask ... 

Thank you for your feedback!

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-13:35
The other two watches in the set were the popular 1815 ultra thin and the less wearable turbograph ie a tourbillon with a perpetual calendar. I have little doubt if the set of three were split that the 1815 ultra thin will be very marketable but less conv... 

Thank you for your wishes!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-01:10
Right now I do not have a predicament but on the off chance that they do break up the set for me, I would be facing a huge dilemma. Firstly, which two Lange watches to buy to meet the criteria - my first choice would be the 1815 up and down in rose gold p... 

FWIW, I was told something very similar by the NYC boutique

 
 By: toddg : March 11th, 2022-15:34
They told me that they "might" consider breaking up a set if I was willing to purchase another "substantial" Lange even though I already have a couple in my collection. It is a truly remarkable watch, but I personally can't rationalize (or afford) a secon... 

In theory and in principle, this practise is all wrong

 
 By: sham1 : March 11th, 2022-16:26
but if I had to buy an unwanted Lange or two just to secure my grail, I would without hesitation. And also without hesitation, I would sell the unwanted Lange because I would never keep a watch in my collection that I did not truly love. I can safely say ... 

In agreement, unfortunately this really seems official company policy for Lange --- and it can *only* leave a bad taste if someone is a passionate watch collector rather than a speculator (in which case, they would hardly buy a Lange anyway! ;-)

 
 By: FabR : March 11th, 2022-18:49
I can understand this brand's well-known issues to sell many of its watches, which have often taken a huge hit on the secondary market, but officially reducing the sale of a watch to a mere business transaction IS objectively pretty sad ;-) It's also surp... 

Your support and wise words are deeply appreciated Fabrizio!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-01:15
Let's see what Lange can do for me. I had already purchased an 1815 ultra thin in honey gold from this boutique so at least I am a current customer of theirs.

Will definitely keep everyone posted!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-03:25
Thank you Fabrizio - I will need all the luck I can muster which will make this a memorable journey should the end result be a positive one.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement!

 
 By: sham1 : March 14th, 2022-08:32
Unfortunately, Lange HQ has decided not to split the remaining unsold box sets so I will not be getting the Rattrapante after all. I have always believed that everything in life happens for s good reason so perhaps I will find something else interesting w... 

Thank you very much Fabrizio!

 
 By: sham1 : March 14th, 2022-12:30
It is ok. I am blessed with what I already have. Mustn't be greedy even though for me, that watch was THE watch

A technical and visual marvel

 
 By: Blue and White : March 11th, 2022-17:13
And one that suits your wrist perfectly. I agree it looks smaller than the nominal size suggests, Lange has done a good job, plus the very nice color combination on the dial. I wish you good luck in purchasing this beauty and keep my fingers crossed for y... 

Thank you for your observations!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-01:04
I am not holding my breath for this one and I simply feel privileged that I managed to place it on my wrist for a few seconds. This would also qualify as my exit watch simply because there would be no funds left for anything else!

Sham!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
 By: MTR : March 12th, 2022-02:21
I can actually be very enthusiastic about things I truly love. That's why I can understand your feelings very well. Ok, one should be careful with objects (things!!) with the like expressions of emotion, because they are just … things. But life isn't alwa... 

Thank you very much Thomas for fully understanding my plight!

 
 By: sham1 : March 12th, 2022-03:23
This forum of ours is a safe haven for us, the irrational and non practical lot who would even consider spending so much on a watch when one could buy a home in most countries! But as you correctly say, life is short and if we have the opportunity to atta... 

 
 By: PaddyP : March 13th, 2022-01:40
Regarding to boutiques, from talking to fellow collectors, a lot of people have been put off by the sales tactics for sure. As an existing customer of Sincere watches retailer which can no longer can sell Lange, I am basically starting again as a new cust... 

I too share your sentiments

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-02:12
as I too am an existing customer of Sincere watches where I had bought most of Lange from. But you might be keen to know that even though I had bought so many watches from Sincere Kuala Lumpur, Sincere Singapore will not take into account my history with ... 

It‘s kind of strange

 
 By: MTR : March 13th, 2022-08:13
and - as you already wrote - leaves a bitter aftertaste when you, as a good customer who just wants to continue buying and purchasing, are treated like a … supplicant. I also find it somehow very strange to have to build up a good relationship with a deal... 

Hi Thomas

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-09:46
I somewhat agree with your comments. Buying a watch for me is about the entire purchase experience and after sales service, not just the watch. I believe the majority of us would prefer not to have to buy any unwanted pieces when buying a watch. I will wh... 

I fully understand your feelings.

 
 By: MTR : March 13th, 2022-11:19
If I were you I would try to do anything to get your dream watch. I'm afraid otherwise you'll always regret it if you haven't tried everything. But then I would really draw a line and walk away from brands and retailers that engage in practices I'm not co... 

Thank you Thomas and I could not agree with you more!

 
 By: sham1 : March 13th, 2022-12:38
I believe we all have principles which become very subjective once a grail enters into the equation.

Thank you Justin!

 
 By: sham1 : March 15th, 2022-00:42
Unfortunately the only way I will be able to obtain this watch would be to buy the entire set, so unless you are in the market for a Lange Tourbograph, I am afraid the dream will remain a dream!

What are the other watches in this set?

 
 By: MTR : March 15th, 2022-20:33
Sorry if this has already been mentioned before. But I didn’t find it in this thread. Perhaps you can find two fellow collectors who are interested in the other pieces?

I have little doubt

 
 By: sham1 : March 16th, 2022-02:57
that many purists and collectors will be keen on the 1815 ultra thin in honey gold which I noticed was auctioned at a ridiculous price at an auction late last year. But the major watch in this three set watch is the 1815 tourbograph which is a large watch... 

I personally would be

 
 By: MTR : March 16th, 2022-06:07
really interested in the Tourbograph Perpetual Honeygold. But I have just searched for the price for this 175th anniversary piece. And my enthusiasm has plummeted again… 500,000 euros is an enormous amount of money… For me much too high because with this ... 

And there lies the problem of the box set

 
 By: sham1 : March 16th, 2022-06:57
Many brands not just Lange fail to realise that a large complicated piece id difficult to sell especially when one attaches a high price tag on it. I am not saying the work that has gone into the watch does not justify the asking price but it makes us col... 

Fully agree!

 
 By: MTR : March 16th, 2022-08:09
They should realize this and/or overthink their price policy. The relations are slowly and completely lost. In general. They all focus on the super rich, but forget about the other watch collectors. And I think, the percentage contribution margin might be... 

Thanks Thomas

 
 By: sham1 : March 16th, 2022-11:07
This is one of the reasons why I have been focusing my collection at independents where they give me the watch I want, rather than the watch they want me to buy!

+1000

 
 By: MTR : March 16th, 2022-13:07

But you made also some

 
 By: MTR : March 16th, 2022-22:48
excellent choices outside of the independents. Keyword: Pallweber. For example.

Thank you for saying so!

 
 By: sham1 : March 17th, 2022-04:32
I love the Pallweber as I do my Pateks but I must confess that the Pallweber is probably the only IWC I would have considered buying due to its uniqueness, dial and movement finishing. That is currently my only watch from the Richemont Group

Therefore I mentioned

 
 By: MTR : March 17th, 2022-06:07
your IWC. It belongs to the same group of companies as ALS.

And here's a distinct possibility

 
 By: sham1 : March 17th, 2022-06:25
I hope to add a Cartier to my collection sooner or later! Just waiting for the tank basculante to be relaunched!

Hmmmmhhhh. ..

 
 By: MTR : March 17th, 2022-06:53
I think we are in the wrong thread now (😁) but what in your opinion is more interesting about the concept of the Basculante than that of the Reverso?

No contest to me!

 
 By: sham1 : March 17th, 2022-07:02
It is not about the movement but the Cartier to me is a lot more elegant as the case is thinner and the reversing mechanism is more complex. The winding crown of the Cartier though which is positioned at 12 o'clock is not the best but generally the dial o... 

wow...that one is a grail...probably the thinnest Rattrapante if I'm correct

 
 By: mahesh : March 21st, 2022-19:35
also it doesn't look like 41mm on the wrist. I think you should buy one...60k on ALS is going to be worth it - buy a Zeitwerk and secure this my friend. go for it. Best, mahesh.,

I too was pleasantly confused by the size :-)

 
 By: sham1 : March 22nd, 2022-01:53
I have tried smaller Lange watches that wore larger, yet this 41.2mm decided to look perfect on my wrist! Yes it is the slimmest Lange rattrapante but Patek make slimmer spilt second chronographs. But more relevantly, this Lange is sold out Mahesh so it w...