A. Lange & Söhne Handwerkskunst Comparison

KIH · 2012-01-13T09:58:23Z

Compare the A. Lange & Söhne Handwerkskunst with the standard model. Explore the intricate hand-engraving, limited edition strategy, and collector reactions to its release.

KIH

WPS member · A. Lange & Söhne forum

6 replies1282 views12 photos

KIH's post revisits A. Lange & Söhne's "Handwerkskunst" edition, comparing it side-by-side with the standard model. This discussion provides a valuable look into the intricate craftsmanship and collector sentiment surrounding ultra-limited editions, particularly when they are announced after initial releases.

Now the fuss surrounding the out-of-the-blue announcement of Handwerkskunst has subsided. After all, it was only for the lucky 15 collectors. I had an opportunity to compare side by side the PG version and HG Handwerkskunst (to be picked up by the lucky owner soon), and I want you to take a look at the photos.

Both are beautifully done for sure

Back side is nicely engraved, too.

The reason why only 15 is the time it takes to make this dial - as you know. HG is much harder and it takes at least full day or two to engrave one dial.

Back of the standard version. May seem still work in progress....

Back of the Handwerkskunst.

This is not bad at all on its own right, although feels a bit "blank" when sitting next to Handwerkskunst...

Maybe a bit busy, but the time and effort poured into this must be enormous.

This is a totally subjective matter and not "good" or "bad" thing. But if you had bought or ordered Platinum version, you might have been shocked to hear about this almost same price LE of only 15 Handwerkskunst before your piece has not even been delivered. Sure, PT version is LE, too, but much more than 15.... Although this model was not my cup of tea, I wonder what those who had ordered the PT or PG version thought or felt when they heard the news. I would have wanted to know about this special LE version when they launched this model.

Has anyone here bought this Handwerkskunst successfully? I also wonder how you secured your piece.... how Lange decided who to invite to buy one of these..... Oh, and also how US Lange collectors took it, as this is available only from the boutique and there is no boutique in US...?

Again, this is not "good" or "bad", but just a food for thought, a few days before SIHH opening

I am looking forward what else Lange will launch this year.

Ken

Key Points from the Discussion

The Handwerkskunst model, with its extensive hand-engraving, is recognized for its exceptional craftsmanship and artistic merit, though some collectors prefer the cleaner aesthetic of the standard version.
The limited production of only 15 Handwerkskunst pieces is attributed to the significant time and effort required for the intricate dial engraving, which can take one to two full days per dial.
The announcement of the Handwerkskunst edition, priced similarly to the standard platinum version but with much higher exclusivity, raised questions among collectors about transparency and potential impact on earlier orders.
A notable detail is that the Handwerkskunst comes with a tang buckle, while standard PG and PT versions include a deployant buckle, with Lange citing the difficulty of producing a Honey Gold deployant.
There is a strong desire among some collectors for a platinum version of the Handwerkskunst, suggesting that a white metal variant would be highly appealing.

The Discussion

patrick_y

Jan 13, 2012

Handwerkskunst literally means, hand craftsmanship. And the special Handwerkskunst model truly exhibits a tremendous amount of hand craftsmanship; truly making this a very special piece of art. Although I agree with you Ken, that I personally would prefer the normal "bare" rose gold and platinum version more so than this more decadent version; I do find this Handwerkskunst model to be shockingly elegant, just not for me. If I were an individual who had ordered the platinum and rose gold variant;

KIH

Jan 13, 2012

... the regular PG and PT come with deployant buckle as standard while this Handwerkskunst comes with only the tang buckle - Lange keeps saying they can NOT make HG deployant buckle because it is too hard.... So, if they keep making HG models, then will they make HG deployant? They may.... ?

foversta

Jan 13, 2012

We can clearly see the differences between them. And I keep my first feeling: I much prefer the original version of the RL Tourbillon PLM. The layout of the dial is already a bit too complex to be suitable for a very detailed and refined finishing IMHO. Thanks a lot! Fx

small-luxury-world

Jan 13, 2012

but could imagine to look at it, for hours - the "Handwerkskunst". As mentioned before, the same in white metal would be a killer Thanks for sharing, Ken! Oliver

BluNotte

Jan 13, 2012

A hand crafted beauty for sure. If only it was exploited similarly in Platinum! Stephen

KIH

Jan 13, 2012

It seems that Handwerkskunst is not as popular as I had thought. While there is no chance it attracts my attention (I am a white metal guy - doesn't have to be platinum, though ), I had thought that at almost the same price, people would pick the much more labor intensive and rarer Handwerkskunst. Interesting, indeed. And, yes, Stephen, I might be "moved" by the platinum version of the Handwerkskunst - but I can't say for sure without seeing it in fresh, if ever... Thanks for your thoughts, ever

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