A. Lange & Söhne

Hi everyone,

I have been pondering a new gold (RG or YG) dress watch for quite some time.  I am now in Vegas for a week and am looking at many different brands, including Lange, GO, JLC, Bucherer, and Moser.  We were in the Wynn today, so I took a look at the new Saxonia Automatic 38.5mm with the L086.1 movement.  I was totally entranced.  I know a lot of people are not fans of the new central rotor L086.1 that replaced the Sax-0-Matic, but I have to tell you that in person it is the best looking central-rotor auto movement I have ever laid eyes on.

My issue is that I am 6'4" tall with a 7.5" wrist.  I really prefer my dress watches at least 42mm.  I had a Dornblueth 99.1 that was 42mm and that was the absolute perfect size IMO.  The Saxonia wears especially large, though, and with it being rather thin it still seems to work well. 

Every so often, it is possible to find a used Grand Saxonia, which is 1.5mm larger.  So I could be patient and wait for one of those to come up.

Or I could go for the Saxonia Dual Time, which is also 40mm.  I have to admit, though, that as big of a fan as I am of the dual-time complication, I think the dial is just a little too busy for me for a Saxonia.  The "A. Lange & Sohne" lettering is too big and bold.  The minimalist approach to the regular Saxonia just seems more natural.  The Wynn does not have this model in stock for me to see in person, though.

A Moser Monard would be 40.8mm, which is more my size.  I'll be visiting their AD tomorrow.

There is also the 1815, but I have to admit I am favoring the applied markers rather than numbers (and to be honest,  I am more entranced with Lange's auto movements).

What to do?  Any advice??

Thanks!

--Mofongo

I will tell you why.

I understand that you may prefer the applied indexes of the Saxonia. But, believe me, the 1815 dial has a true personality with the full railroad and the typical indexes.

Moreover, movement used by the 1815 is really beautiful with its enhanced power reserve and its regulating organ.

And it is a pity to miss a handwind movement with a Lange watch. That's my point of view but a first Lange watch has to be handwind. Don't ask me why but that's my feeling!

The 1815 (platinum):





An alternative option could be the Saxonia Thin which is my fav 2011 novelty:

Applied indexes:



A beautiful movement with visible wheels:



And due to its very sober dial, the Saxonia Thin looks bigger on the wrist:



Hope it helps!

F

... with Foversta!!!

It is a third option, a bit more expensive than the 1815.

But what a perfect dial!

My only concern is that there is no WG version of this watch.

The big second hand is hypnotizing!



Fx

RL in white gold, black dial, white gold hour and minute hands, yellow gold center seconds hand!

No message body

I had not realized the Saxonia Thin was 40mm.  I agree that the thinner case makes the dial look bigger...it is a pity that Wynn does not have that one in stock for me to compare.  I like the look of the 1815 dial, but I think at that point I might get the RL as others have suggested.  They had one of those, too, and it looked mighty fine on my wrist.

Hmmm...I understand where you are all coming from with the preference for the manual movements.  I think I would normally agree, but watching the rotor move on the auto is unlike anything else I have seen.  It is so smooth and frictionless, it's like butter.  It is hard to describe...you really have to see it in person.  As you would imagine, I have looked at hundreds of auto movements, and this is the most captivating one by far.  It is hard giving up on that.  I can give up the second hand for the ultra thin (plus I do enjoy the minimalist look). 

I will have to ponder this some more.  Thanks for the great suggestions and keep them coming!

I am off to look at GO and Moser today.  It is a pity there is only one Lange dealer in Vegas.

--Mofongo

there are ALOT of smooth rotors out there from other brands....more importantly is whether is uni or bi-directional.

why does a Lange has to be handwound?...IT DOESNT!!! BUT...like some drivers who prefer, even require manual gear sticks....its the same philosophy.

best of luck.

Horo

If you think about it, the whole concept of a rotor and the added complexity that comes with it, only to remove the need for the daliy love and care by the owner, is not "pure", thus not entirely satisfactory to us Purists...

I like to know that my watch runs because i make it run, and i like to know that there is nothing superfluous in the caliber.

Difficult to express, but yes, i tend to agree that even though the SaxOMat is a very nice and clever movement, it does not have the purity of the Lange handwound calibers (and i'm not just referring to gold chatons on 3/4 plates...)

Handwound Fred

 

 

I am more balance...there are days I like to drive my manual cars, and there will be day whereby my mind is preoccupied and prefer a senseless auto gear box...

Same thing for my watches. I love to wind my 1815 chrono and Datograph, but I sure dislike winding my Dato QP!!!

Best,

Horo

No message body

Sub dials too small. Always worry "overshooting" by a day.

Best,

Horo

...who cares if the PR is low?

Additionally, if you don't use it for a period, you can easily set everything back on date only with the pusher... Seems VERY practical!

Anyway, if you want to sell your DatoPerp, PM me

BW,

Fred

 

I wouldn't sell it as it was a Grail piece for me, for reaching a milestone in my non descript life.

Cheers,

Horo

" A first Lange watch has to be handwind" !

I'd change it even further to be ALL Langes HAS to be handwound!

Great shots of a beautiful watch mein Freund!

Tscuss

Stephen

If the movement layout is also an important factor: see how the Daymatic's one looks like.

THAT is a mind boggling one!

Have a look at Lange's homepage.

Technically top and esthetically not matched by any other automovement.

The Daymatic with 39.5 mm could be the Lange for you, as you are also enjoying the movement design.


All the best

Moritz

I think if money were no object, that would be the one for me (maybe that or a Grand Lange).  But I am really trying to stay in the low 20s at most, hence the appeal of the Saxonia.  A used RL or 1815 would be doable, though.

--Mofongo

The little Lange Saxonia in YG with champagne dial is all you need to get the full Lange feeling.

 

All the best in your decision making.

 

Moritz

Easily the best Lange for your wishes I think. Unfortunately discontinued in YG. Well worth the little extra money over the Saxonia.

 

 

Best

Andreas

Best,

Horo