A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Moonphase Review

TonyR · 2016-05-28T07:34:42Z

TonyR reviews the A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Moonphase, comparing it to JLC Reverso and Patek Gondolo. Discover this rare rectangular watch's details.

TonyR

WPS member · A. Lange & Söhne forum

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TonyR shares his extensive journey to acquire the A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Moonphase, a rare rectangular timepiece produced for only four years. His detailed review not only showcases the watch's unique aesthetic and finishing but also compares it against other prominent rectangular watches like the JLC Reverso, AP Edward Piguet, and Patek Philippe Gondolo. This post serves as a valuable resource for collectors seeking non-round watches, highlighting Lange's exceptional attention to detail.

So I had been looking to add a rectangular watch to my collection for a while now. Three or four years ago, after going through many options, I decided that a Lange Cabaret Moonphase would be the watch to go with. With that being said, it was real hard to find many live pictures or reviews done for this particular model that was only produced for about 4 years so I thought I would add one. This was my third try at acquiring a Cabaret Moonphase and finally on Monday it happened!...................

Taking a step back, buying a non-round watch is going against the grain. Most people, including myself, prefer a round watch. With that being said I wanted to diversify my collection a little bit so I went through some rectangular shaped case options within the higher end brands. I found that there were really only four good options to choose from that suited my tastes. Below are the other three that I looked at................

A classic and probably the most well known rectangular shaped case ever made in the JLC Reverso...........

An AP Edward Piguet that has now been discontinued............

And last but not least a Patek Gondolo ref 5124.....................

To be fair, Lange does happen to be my favorite brand so I was a little bias when I started this process. Looking at the three others, JLC is definitely the most popular in this shape but I've owned two Reverso's in the past and for whatever reason I have never held them that long. The Squadra Hometime was a little too big and thick for my wrist. I owned the Grande Date as well but honestly I forgot that I even owned that watch until I went through some old pictures the other day. This is not a knock against JLC, I love the brand and have owned many of their watches in the past, but for whatever reason the Reverso never sang that much to me. The Edward Piguet is my least favorite of the four. To me it wasn't even on the same level as the other three when you compare the finishing and the other watches esthetics. This Gondolo is not my taste either, nor do I think the finishing is as high end as the Cabaret's. But I did really like this discontinued Gondolo as well .....................................

Ref 5109........................

Now I really like this watch and would be happy with it in any metal. It's made by Patek, it's very vintage looking, and is no longer in production. The 5109 and Cabaret are similar in price but in the end I came to the conclusion that you get a higher level of detail and finishing with a Lange Cabaret. This Patek doesn't even have a see through case back. The photo's below show what i'm talking about in regards to the extra little details.....................................

Let's start with the case, as you can see below there are three levels to it as well as the details that were incorporated around the lug area. On a side note, I love the fact that Lange used gold hands on this watch. I think the blue hands look best against white gold cases. The dial as you can see is beautiful, the mix of roman numerals, big date, and moonphase function on the dial is perfect to my eye....................

They curved the case ever so slightly for a near perfect fit on the wrist...............

Not much needs to be said here. The movement is typical of what you get when you buy a Lange................

Last but not least, a couple of wrist shots.............................

The watch feels perfect on my wrist, its very comfortable to wear. Perfect if you have to wear a suit and thin enough to fit well under cuffs.

To me, what makes Lange so special is that whether your sending 20k or 200k the attention to detail from Lange is the same. I don't know of any other brand that can say the same. As I said in an earlier post, I had never tried a Cabaret on before buying this one. I put it on and was blown away. Needless to say I bought the watch right away!

It made me wonder why Lange discontinued the line. The obvious guess would be that they didn't sell very well which by the way most rectangular watches probably don't. Thinking about it a little further if your getting your first Lange most people go with an iconic Lange 1, a RL, or an 1815. If they add a second its one of the two they didn't buy or a chronograph. I guess the point is that this model was probably 4th 5th or 6th on the "want to buy" list. In any event I am very happy to finally acquire this one. If your thinking about adding a rectangular watch to the collection at some point I highly recommend the Cabaret! I hope you enjoyed my thoughts and the review.

Tony

This message has been edited by amanico on 2016-05-28 07:45:42 This message has been edited by TonyR on 2016-05-28 07:47:42 This message has been edited by TonyR on 2016-05-28 07:54:39 This message has been edited by TonyR on 2016-05-28 07:58:29

About the A. Lange and Söhne Lange 1 Ref. 1815GrandComplication

The 1815 Grand Complication represents a pinnacle of traditional horological artistry from A. Lange & Söhne, showcasing a comprehensive array of complex mechanisms within a single timepiece. This reference is a testament to the brand's commitment to high-complication watchmaking, integrating multiple grand complications that are meticulously finished and assembled by hand. It stands as one of the most intricate watches ever produced by the Glashütte manufacture, reflecting a deep respect for classical watchmaking principles.

The watch features a platinum case with a diameter of 50mm and a substantial thickness of 20.3mm, housing the manually wound L1902 caliber. This movement provides a power reserve of 30 hours. The dial is silver, protected by a sapphire crystal, and the watch offers a water resistance of 30 meters. The intricate movement is visible through a sapphire case back, revealing the complex architecture and traditional finishing techniques.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking the ultimate expression of mechanical complexity and artisanal craftsmanship. It is a significant piece within A. Lange & Söhne's haute horlogerie offerings, demonstrating the brand's capability to execute multiple grand complications harmoniously. The 1815 Grand Complication is a limited production piece, underscoring its exclusivity and desirability among serious collectors of high-complication watches.

Specifications

Caliber: L1902

Case: Platinum

Diameter: 50mm

Dial: Silver

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Moonphase is lauded for its true form movement, a rare and significant feature in rectangular watches, offering superior finishing compared to some competitors.
Despite the general preference for round watches, diversifying a collection with a well-chosen rectangular piece like the Cabaret Moonphase can add unique aesthetic value.
The Cabaret Moonphase's three-level case construction and intricate lug details demonstrate Lange's high level of craftsmanship, often surpassing similarly priced rectangular watches from other brands.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, while popular, may not resonate with all collectors due to its size or aesthetic, as some find it too large or lacking long-term appeal on their wrist.
The Patek Philippe Gondolo Ref. 5109 is considered a strong contender for its vintage look and Patek heritage, but the Cabaret is often preferred for its higher detail and visible movement.
Lange's consistent attention to detail across its price spectrum, from entry-level to high complications, is highlighted as a core strength of the brand.

The Discussion

amanico

May 28, 2016

Along with... The Reverso Sun Moon platinum, limited to 125 pieces. Bravo, and thanks for the very interesting review. Nicolas

COUNT DE MONET

May 28, 2016

The Lange is also a true form movement, which is a rare thing as you will know. The 5109 was certainly a very strong contender in the line up and I must say they resemble (in terms of the mood) each other quite, your Cabaret and the 5109. The Cabaret, with the benefit of the mp and the visible top finish, is indeed much more watch for the money and more romantic. Very interesting read, thank yo for that. Enjoy your latest addition. Best Moritz

TheMadDruid

May 28, 2016

I do think the Reverso outshines most any Gondolo made, but that is not what your post is about. The Cabaret is a watch that Lange should think about reintroducing, even if in very limited numbers. Beautiful. and extremely well-proportioned.

TonyR

May 28, 2016

That is exactly why I went with the Lange. It was more watch for the money but I do like the 5109 very much as well. Tony

TonyR

May 28, 2016

If Lange did re-introduce the Cabaret at some point down the road but in limited numbers. It's a nice way to keep the collection diverse. Tony

TonyR

May 28, 2016

This watch would be absolutely stunning in platinum with a silver dial and the moonphase. Similar to the platinum Lange one moonphase but rectangular. I think we have our next boutique addition! Tony

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About the A. Lange and Söhne Lange 1 Ref. 1815GrandComplication

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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