Comments:
Very curious - Lange movement serial numbers....
Someone who attended SIHH 2015 just brought this to my attention. It's surprising.
Many folks estimate Lange's production at somewhere around 5500 (give or take) watches per year. Lange numbers its casebacks and movements roughly sequentially (vs. randomly), starting from 110000 and 1 (respectively) back in 1994.
The most recent caseback and movement numbers seem to be around 220000 for casebacks and 110000 for movements. You can see numbers in this range on many of the 2015 SIHH watches that we've seen in the press and other photos. Indeed, if you look at the movement numbers on most of the Lange 1 cal. L121.1 movements from SIHH 2015, they're in the 109XXX range. That's right around what we'd expect -- unremarkable.
BUT at least one of the new Lange 1 cal. L121.1 movements at SIHH 2015 had a serial number that's fully TEN THOUSAND higher. This particular movement was photographed and posted on a popular watch blog/news site. It is movement #119513 (in caseback #219060). It's REALLY weird to see a movement # so high right now. It has led me to wonder anew about Lange's precise numbering scheme (unless Lange has 10,000 movements sitting in inventory that they haven't yet put into watches, but that'd be a major surprise!).
[Yes, I know -- more evidence that I have Vintage Rolex Geek DNA.]
This message has been edited by CR on 2015-01-28 20:28:47
Many folks estimate Lange's production at somewhere around 5500 (give or take) watches per year. Lange numbers its casebacks and movements roughly sequentially (vs. randomly), starting from 110000 and 1 (respectively) back in 1994.
The most recent caseback and movement numbers seem to be around 220000 for casebacks and 110000 for movements. You can see numbers in this range on many of the 2015 SIHH watches that we've seen in the press and other photos. Indeed, if you look at the movement numbers on most of the Lange 1 cal. L121.1 movements from SIHH 2015, they're in the 109XXX range. That's right around what we'd expect -- unremarkable.
BUT at least one of the new Lange 1 cal. L121.1 movements at SIHH 2015 had a serial number that's fully TEN THOUSAND higher. This particular movement was photographed and posted on a popular watch blog/news site. It is movement #119513 (in caseback #219060). It's REALLY weird to see a movement # so high right now. It has led me to wonder anew about Lange's precise numbering scheme (unless Lange has 10,000 movements sitting in inventory that they haven't yet put into watches, but that'd be a major surprise!).
[Yes, I know -- more evidence that I have Vintage Rolex Geek DNA.]
This message has been edited by CR on 2015-01-28 20:28:47
Lange is expanding
They are opening second factory this year, so 5500 watches a year will not hold for long. Also, can't it be the case of moving to some system of numbering? I don't mean randomly, but can't they have jumped 10000 because of new movement? Alternatively, can't it denote a test/SIHH version only?
No Significant Expansion
Actually, Lange has stated on several occasions that there will be no significant expansion in production when the new building opens.
I must be catching it from you! :-)
I just noticed the case number in the post below for the Dato up/down RG is 203xxx. That seems awfully low for a new case. A PT case from a 2012 Dato up/down is also 203xxx.
Indeed, though caseback #s on Langes with older movement calibres...
... can vary widely. For example, with the Dato Up/Down that you mentioned, Lange might've ordered those RG casebacks (and perhaps the RG dials) from their suppliers a year or two ago if they were thinking of releasing the RG Dato back then.
On the other hand, movements are made in-house, and I'd expect that the first batch of movements of a new calibre such as the L121.1 probably isn't sitting idle for a year after being engraved with their serial numbers. Therefore, I'd use the serial numbers on new calibre Lange movements to make my best guess about current production.
On the other hand, movements are made in-house, and I'd expect that the first batch of movements of a new calibre such as the L121.1 probably isn't sitting idle for a year after being engraved with their serial numbers. Therefore, I'd use the serial numbers on new calibre Lange movements to make my best guess about current production.
Case number plannings at Lange
Indeed the case numbers differ widely. But this depends also on the plannings of the different model lines, limited editions, etc. For example: Almost a year ago (early 2014) I ordered a 1815 Chrono and I saw, that the Case numbers came nearer and nearer to the number sequence of my Birthday (2202xx). I ask at Glashütte if it is possible to combine this Case number for a WG 1815 Chrono and they told me, that this number is already part of limited edition of the 1815, released within in 2015 (the next week) to 200. anniversary of F.A.´s birthday. They gave no further information to this limited edition, but they told me that they can manage it, that I / my AD gets exactly this watch, if I order it blind. So within the next week I will see what I´ve ordered.
Now that is an anniversary!
Pre-congrats on a watch I am sure a lot here are interested in seeing! That will be a very nice lifetime watch to have with your birthday date on.
Best,
Colton