Patek vs Lange

I'm thinking of adding a preowned gold complication to my collection. Truth is I love the Lange 1. I also really like some of the Patek complications but they are more expensive and more plain. What are the thoughts from the gurus here? Is Lange and Sohne considered to be in the same league as Patek? Will the Lange 1 maintain its value?

 

I have a Lange 1 Moonphase and I love it. Lange makes a lot of manual watches, so be careful.

Joe

 

Wristwatch only or PW in the equation?

 

Get what you like. It is a hobby, not an investment, you are going to wear it.

In Patek circles, the Lange are respected, but not considered equal.

Patek's have held values well due to past performances of rare, older complications, or out of production complicated watches and increasing prices of new watches. No one can predict if the price increases will continue, they did not last year.

The current ones that really hold value or increase, are ones that are either very expensive, beyond a current perpetual calendar, or very hard to get.

 

Go with the one that you like better....plain and simple. I have a few watches and I had the same question between the two when the time came for a watch at that level. Went with Lange, Platinum Moonphase, and glad I did.

The Lange One dial configuration stands apart from everything I was looking at.

 

I have had both. datograph platinum and currently patek annual calender. Patek holds its value better. You buy what sings to you. That said, Patek is king of the hill.

 

While not directly Lange versus Patek, I saw this video about Rolex versus Patek and thought it to be somewhat relevant.

Are you a Rolex or a Patek? - Video - Business News

 

A pre-owned Lange is a great value

 

My .02

Lange is gaining in respect while Patek is the standard.
Of the two, and because of my budget, I prefer the VC

 

FWIW, I traded my W/G 5055 (too small) for a platinum Lange 1.

Then I sold it.

 

I love Lange. German cars, German watches! Patek is great, of course, but a little too stuffy for me. Lange has very innovative watches at all of their levels.

 

I have a couple Patek's and would like to add a Lange. Patek seems to be the standard bearer, while Lange is perhaps a better value. Ultimately, a Patek may hold it's value better. I bought an annual calendar 10 years ago and the sales price for the similar one has more than doubled. I think Patek's are more conservative on the exterior, while Lange's look more unique. In some ways, Patek is like Ferrari, while Lange is like Lamborghini.

Here's an interesting comparison.

A Comparison of the Keyless Works in a Patek and a Lange - TimeZone

 

Great comments.......a Patek will be my next purchase.
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At the end of the day, you will always lust for the patek.

 

I had the same decision to make about 3 months ago and I decided on the PP 5711. So far I couldn't be happier. In the future I'm sure there will be an ALS….

 

Personally I love Lange. I'm not a Patek guy but maybe one day that will change. IMO Lange makes the best mechanical watches available. If you want lower depreciation no doubt Patek is the way to go. Making a choice like this falls into the "which supermodel should I date?" category!

I chuckled at the Ferrari/Lambo comparison. I have thought for a while that Breigtlings went with Gallardos.

 

Honestly, and not meaning to be controversial, this is really irrelevant. Even the video makes clear that Rolex is for display while Patek is deliberately understated and for owners who wish to avoid ostentation. Lange is clearly in the latter category.

Thirty-plus yeas ago I bought myself a Rolex as a 'getting divorced' present. Would have bought a Patek but couldn't afford one. The Rolex I got was a new mid-size Datejust in solid 14kt (harder more scratch-resistant metal) with a leather band. Cost me just under $900. Wear it on holiday occasions. Still have it with the original packaging in like-new condition.

My real 'everyday' dress watch is an Omega Constellation chronometer, gold-filled bezel, stainless back, that I bought in Zurich in January 1956 for $90.US! A week later it was on my wrist as I returned from Napoli to New York on board Andrea Doria! I wore it through three years on active duty as an officer in the Navy, two as an OOD on board U.S.S. Intrepid.

Twenty years ago when I was still living in New York City, after lots and lots of research I came very close to buying a Lange. It is true that Patek is regarded as the standard but I believe that the quality is so close as to be indistinguishable, so today, if I were not 83 and making this choice, I'd be getting a Lange.

 

What's wrong with manual?
Winding the watch is part of the joy of bonding with the watch.


Sent from my 16M

 

As mentioned, Patek is King of the Hill and part of the Holy Trinity. Other WIS'ers will say ALS and Breguet are along the same level of the Big Three.
But as everyone says, you have to buy the watch that moves you when you try it on. It's really a matter of opinion and style. I personally like PP over ALS, don't understand the current ALS craze. PP has the heritage, long standing history and exemplary craftsmanship.
I'll be adding a 5712 to my collection some day.


Sent from my 16M

 

Buy the watch you want to wear, whatever that may be. But between the two, Patek for me. Lange is interesting, for sure, but Patek is the really the high standard.

Do take a look at some Jaeger LeCoulte watches. Their detailing is nice, and their movements are interesting. And at a lower price.

Their automatic rotors have a lovely "whirring" sound.

Matt

 

Lange is my favorite manufacturer. Patek is number 4, after Breguet and GO, so you can guess my thought. I have a PT 1815, which, IMO, is the most beautiful watch ever made.

 

Buy the one you want and makes you happy- but patek remains the Ferrari of watches IMHO.

 

I have a winder for manuals, but they are a pain.

Joe

 

I'm stuck at this same decision point, an admittedly good place to be. No objection to other brands, for that matter. I've had two Pateks, currently a 5726A. It's pretty and keeps near perfect time. I've grown a little weary of the case. It's too sporty for my needs and the strap isn't worthy of the movement. I was looking at a Saxonia annual and the wonderfully thin, elegant 5140 in white gold. Surprisingly a much bigger discount can be had on the 5140, though the service time, cost, and even attitude are quite Ferrari like, heh heh. One problem is, I really want a smooth (high beat) sweeping center seconds hand, which both lack. They're pacifying to watch, like the sun setting or waves rolling. The Saxonia can be had in a superior case, even platinum, for under $60k NIB, and on a better strap but no center seconds and the large date indicator looks like it was designed for special needs. The hunt continues.

 

I am fan of Lange, I have a Lange 1815 Up/Down in white gold I had cleaned last year and put away for a future grandson - I hope as a graduation gift, picture is pre buffing to take out the every day wear. This was a limited run with the blue dial, power meter and second hand. I replaced it with a yellow gold Lange 1.

A few years back I visited the factory store in Dresden, when you walk with a Lange on your wrist, you get treated very well...read their company story, very interesting.

BTW, I do not hide the fact I bought both watches slightly used, the 1815 even in today's market is worth 2X what I paid.

MB
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