A. Lange & Söhne

I can do the large watches. I am a big person, and the absolute minimum size for me is 41mm, or it looks too dainty, it is why I was drawn to the Terra Luna in the first place. 

Have you looked at the RG logical one?

Pls help me out, always eager to learn more.

Interesting… thanks for the pointer!

To me, a key consideration is how important the regulator dial is to you?

It sounds like you admire the technical intricacy of the movements and, whilst the Terra Luna arguably has no equal in the Richard Lange model family, you still get the fusée & chain in the Richard Lange PLM but a more traditional dial - albeit with the unusual small seconds hand. But of course, now only accessible on the secondary market.

The Richard Lange Tourbillion PLM, on the other hand, also gives you immense technical interest - including a unique retracting dial segment - whilst preserving the regulator dial.

Even at this level, I feel that “buy the watch that smiles at you” remains the best advice. I’ve also learned this includes appreciating what’s on the inside - it’s all part of generating the sustained, visceral reaction in you.

Best wishes on the next step of your journey.

...and I'm currently getting a wider smile from the Tourbillon than the QP. Both are major financial commitments though.

I'm asking because of the vast price difference between new vs. preowned. I think there's a 45-50% difference between new vs. preowned for the RL Tourbillon PLM and the Terraluna. If you were planning get one of these new, you could get them both preowned!

I have a very skilled, patient, and informative AD that I am speaking with. I have made it clear that I am interested in buying from the company, but that I simply can’t reconcile that price delta. I have two Lange watches that were both out of production at the time that I bought them. I have a map of where I would like the collection to go. Almost everything I like is out there for notably less. At the lower end the delta is both proportionally and numerically less dramatic, but these very high end complications are 60% off their initial price. I am told Lange is aware of the situation and has a midterm strategy for addressing this issue, but I’m not sure they’re actually willing to do what it takes, and being inside Richemont doesn’t help. We are watching both IWC and JLC committing major pricing mistakes and blunders.

I'd imagine Lange ADs also have a strong incentive to offer discounts. Lange has been open about its strategy to sell watches only through its boutiques rather than ADs, and Lange has closed scores of ADs in accordance with that strategy. This strategy also means ADs have not been getting the more coveted, limited-edition pieces that boutiques receive, so ADs (unfortunately) no longer have to think very hard about how they treat their own old vs. new customers. Rather, I'd think ADs -- who know their days are numbered -- would want to sell as many Langes as possible to anyone who walks in the door, at a discount for even a small profit, during the remaining period in which Lange still provides ADs with any watches. I'd think that Lange has forced ADs to move from a model involving and respecting a longer-term relationship with the brand to a more short-term, AD-centric model with less regard for what the brand may want (which is watches being sold only at full retail price).

I did not mean AD in my case, I meant an official boutique. What confuses me is that in certain countries (including Switzerland) boutiques for IWC and Panerei and other Richemont brands are actually Bucherer ADs. The boutique made it clear that there are discounts available 

The boutique made it clear that there are NO discounts available

Are you wanting to buy this piece (whichever one you like) from the boutique so you can have access to future limited edition pieces?

The business person in me finds it crazy to buy something incredibly expensive when it is available in the same quality for 25-40% less elsewhere. At the same time I respect the brand, and want to support what they’re doing. I’d like to have a personal relationship with the brand. Over the last 20 years I have bought eight APs, not all from the house, but certainly whatever current models are available. I really enjoy my relationship with them. I get Invites to see new pieces, to attend events, and to get first dibs when new watches are released. I have never sold a watch, and I’m really into horology. My father and grandfather loved watches, and my three grown sons appreciate them too. I want to create that same relationship with Lange & Söhne, especially since I’m German. So I will buy some pieces from the company, but will add others from the secondary market. None of their commemorative limited editions have spoken to me thus far, I hope they develop a strategy that invests more in that, but they’re such a small Maison that I’m not sure they’d have the marketing budget to support such an effort. Let’s see where the journey goes.

You are fortunate that none of Lange's commemorative LEs speak to you! That gives you much more freedom, if you're not worried about the boutique offering you every limited edition that comes out.

If I look at my long Wishlist, it may make more sense for me to buy a trophy directly from the company, but some of the more readily available common pieces out on the grey market. The total amount committed to the brand vs what I save is roughly the same if I calculate the two approaches against one another. But let's see... these are truly good problems to have.

I thought you didn't yet have other specific pieces in mind beyond the 1-2 pieces in this post. Can you share more about what other Langes are on your current wish list?