A. Lange & Söhne: Collector Recommendations

Alik · 2022-04-28T20:55:48Z

Choosing between A. Lange & Söhne's Grand Lange 1 (41.9mm) and Richard Lange (40.5mm) for larger wrists. Collectors discuss design, legibility, and wearability.

Alik

WPS member · A. Lange & Söhne forum

25 replies6616 views1 photos

Alik, a seasoned collector, turns to the WatchProSite community for guidance on a significant A. Lange & Söhne acquisition. His dilemma, choosing between the older 41.9mm Grand Lange 1 and the 40.5mm Richard Lange, highlights a common challenge for collectors with larger wrists: balancing iconic design with optimal wearability. This discussion provides valuable insights into the nuances of these distinct references.

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Looking to add a Lange to my collection at long last and I am wondering what you would choose between these two very different beauties?

The contenders: the older Grand Lange 1 (41.9mm) vs the Richard Lange (40.5mm). I specifically picked the older Grand Lange over the current model as it is a bit bigger than the current 40.9mm Grand Lange - the slightly larger size is important to me as I have a large 7.5-inch wrist.

The RL has the larger dial and better legibility despite having a smaller diameter (tried it on and it looks incredible). The GL is signature Lange, but has quite a busy dial. That said, I haven't tried the GL on yet as it is a bit hard to come by.

Which would you pick - the iconic but edgy Grand Lange, or the classic and versatile Richard Lange? Does anyone have any experience with this particular black-dialed GL? If so, how is the legibility?

Key Points from the Discussion

The older 41.9mm Grand Lange 1 is often preferred by collectors with 7.5-inch wrists or larger, as the standard 38.5mm Lange 1 can appear too small. The current 40.9mm Grand Lange 1 is also a viable option, but the older reference offers a distinct aesthetic.
The older Grand Lange 1's design, characterized by its 'controlled chaos' and 'wabi-sabi' aesthetic, is appreciated by some for its unique visual complexity, contrasting with the more balanced layouts of newer iterations.
Despite its busy dial, the time display on the older Grand Lange 1 is considered very legible, with the oversized date being a clear advantage. The 41.9mm size is deemed excellent for wrists around 7 1/4 inches.
A point of contention for some purists is the overlapping subdials on the older Grand Lange 1, which deviates from the original Lange 1 design philosophy of non-overlapping indications.
While the Grand Lange 1 offers an iconic and edgy aesthetic, the Richard Lange is often perceived as a more classic and versatile choice, though some find its dial too simple.
The preference for newer Grand Lange 1 iterations often stems from their redesigned movements and dials that eliminate the overlapping subdials, aligning more closely with the brand's design principles.

The Discussion

amanico

Apr 28, 2022

The Richard Lange, here. Totally under the radar, but a pure marvel.

WTWTStyle

Apr 28, 2022

Richard lange

Lnage 1 already received many attention, it's time too try something new.

Alik

Apr 28, 2022

That's three votes for the Richard Lange so far!

Surprised to see that as I thought the Lange 1 is the more popular design!