A. Lange & Söhne

what do you guys think? show of hands on either choices? any thought process highlighted woiuld be appreciated.

First of all, the new Lange 1 Tourbillon has a stop second tourbillon. Good point.

I was not totally seduced by the Breguet Tradition. Because I found it too thick and because the links of the chain are too big. The visual result is not that attractive IMHO.

Anyway, the dial of the Breguet is gorgeous and you have the feeling to have a machine on your wrist.

At the end, I would go to the Lange due to the high quality and the reliability of its movement.

Please find below some wristshots & pics to help you:










More about the Lange 1 Tourbillon here:
alang.watchprosite.com

Fr.Xavier

This message has been edited by foversta on 2010-06-29 12:10:47

If you're going to show the tourbillon mechanism from the dial side, then you should really show it!! I love the big balance wheel on the Breguet as well.

Bill

Lange: a limited model with more complications

Breguet: a chain and fuse watch

Technically: the Breguet is to be favored

Aesthetically: Lange as apparently thinner

A good compromise was mentioned in choosing a Lange chain and fuse watch, if the tourbillon is not the most important complication that you are after.

But: with the Langes you might have a problem to get one as any of the fuse watches are quite limited.

I would go also for the RL pour le merit in RG, as a chain and fuse watch is the summit in watchmaking IMHO.

 

Regards

Moritz

the La trad chains might be thick, but it sort of fulfilles its pocket watch, "bare knuckles"  concept, perhaps dare i say even "highlighting" the fusee chain

 

 

but if my funds allowed, will get BOTH. Why?

BOTH represent something which the other does not. Lange 1 tourbillon is calculatingly cool while the Breguet La Trad is emotional and inspiring like how old pocket watches were, a fact that Breguet proudly shares with all that it used one as inspiration for this masterpiece' conception.

Feeble attempt at motorsport analogy. The Lange Tourb is like a Ducati. The Breguet Tourb a Vespa. Both two wheeled vehicles. Both stylish. Both run on petrol. But can't use Ducati in some places nor Vespa on the autobahn. Each suits different occasions hence this notion to get BOTH since I don't think there is such a thing as one watch/bike for all situations. There IS room for BOTH.

that helps put thigns in perspective. but i would say Lange may be the Ducatti, but the la trad is like a Moot Guzzi or  Harley or even a old Royal Enfield.

and funds DOES NOT permit me to acquire both...and already mortagaging house to simply get one.

 

A top elegant an understated watch.

The platinum version is just sublime.

The Breguet La Tradition Fussé à chaine Tourbillon is so ( too ) thick for my taste.

Best,

Nicolas

aside from the "looks", anything else you find objectanble abt the La trad? the qualities of the Lange is well know.

I normally try to stay away from these kinds of questions; watches are like shoes, they're incredibly personal. I really can't make a suggestion for you. However, I have such strong feelings about these two watches that I wanted to share my thoughts.

I saw the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon about a year ago and I've said in the past that I was a bit disappointed with the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon; the watch was much too thick, the crystal was much too thick, the chain didn't look delicate enough - it looked too crude, and overall the watch wore much larger on the wrist than I would've liked it to. The big balance wheel on the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon is a plus. Tourbillons are most effective when the balance wheel "has a large moment of inertia" or when the balance wheel is large. Overall, I would say; I love the concept of the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon, but I didn't love the watch as much as I loved the concept of it (don't get me wrong, I like this piece, I even think it is perhaps the best Breguet on the market).

On the other hand, the Lange One Tourbillon is a nice watch. There is nothing wrong with the Lange One Tourbillon (perhaps the balance wheel and cage is a bit on the small side), but there's nothing terribly fantastic about the Lange One Tourbillon when compared to other tourbillons (yes, it is beautiful, it looks fantastic on the wrist, it is practical, it has a hacking second hand). However, overall, I'm not terribly intrigued by the Lange One Tourbillon.

Between the two watches that you mentioned, I would acquire the Breguet La Tradition Tourbillon, however...

If it were my money. Honestly, I would try to acquire the Richard Lange Pour Le Merite, the one with the chain and fusee and the enamel dial (a problematic enamel dial apparently). Only the rose gold models are available currently, but this is a watch that is truly unique and represents something.

Feel free to PM me if you have further inquiries about my rationale.

I would have to go with the L&S, purely from the fact that I much prefer it's appearance over the Breguet.

Do they crack easily ?

And: is it very difficult to get one RL Pour le merite?

 

Regards

Moritz

The entire Richard Lange Pour Le Merite collection was delayed because of the difficulty in manufacturing a three part dial.  Joining the three parts is a very difficult process. 

 

I'm not even sure if the manufacturer is intending to resolve the problem.

Of the three that I have personally inspected and subsequently passed, all shown very uneven joint between the dials, even viewed with naked eyes.   Once under the 50x loupe, all shown significant amount of black spots. 

I have compared the dial w/ the dial anniversary model as well as a few other enamel dials made by other manufacturers and none showed the same degree of 'imperfections'.   Having said that, all three that I passed were immediately sold afterwards.   So I'm not sure there's a real need for the manufacturer to correct the problem if the customers are so willing to accept the flaws.

To be fair, I have read that the imperfections have to do w/ this environmentally conscious way of producing the dials.  For me I simply can't endure spending that kind of money while KNOWING about the imperfections.  

i too am inclined to the La Trad simply becoz i feel conceptually it s a "kick ass" watch. i like the La Trad range anyway, again, for its pocket watch inspiration, semi-raw, dare i say victorian semi-industrious look!!

the Lange 1 tourby just seems like....another Lange with great finishing and execution, magical in qualities, but "soulless"(sorry guys, just my raw feelings), relative to the la trad.

the PLM is outta my price range, so its beyond my scope.

 

... Because it just screams out loud...
MAAACHIIIINEEE!!!!!!!
for the WIS wrist
And I love a huge balance in a chronometer watch.
Easy choice, this one.

Best

Rob.