Decoding the Worth: Are Luxury Watches a Lucrative Investment?
OCTOBER 2024
A. Lange & Sohne
Zeitwerk Date Ref. 148.038
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About the brand
A. Lange & Söhne emerged as one of the pioneering watchmakers in the renowned town of Glashütte, Germany. In 1845, Adolf Lange founded the brand after gaining valuable experience as an apprentice under the skilled watchmaker J.C. Friedrich Gutkaes. During this time, Lange crafted timepieces tailored to the elite clientele, refining his watchmaking techniques and cultivating a meticulous and customer-centric work ethic.
Lange's apprenticeship concluded with honors in 1835, after which he continued working under Gutkaes for a few more years. Seeking further education, he studied under a respected chronometer maker before returning to Glashütte to establish his own workshop.
In the early years of his business, Lange displayed a strong inclination for innovation. In 1846, he introduced the three-quarter plate, a distinctive feature still present in the brand's movements today. Additionally, he abandoned the Parisian system of linges in favor of the metric system, introducing the millimeter as a unit of measurement in the watchmaking industry.
Lange and the Transformation of Glashütte:
In 1848, Lange received a remarkable opportunity when he was appointed as the Mayor of Glashütte. During his nearly two-decade tenure, he transformed the modest town into a thriving industrial center for watchmaking that continues to thrive today.
With a steadfast commitment to preserving the family legacy, Lange began training his sons, Richard and Emil, in the late 1860s and early 1870s. However, in 1875, at the age of 60, Lange passed away due to heart failure. His sons and later grandsons carried forward his spirit of innovation.
The Early 1900s and Challenging Times: The early 1900s marked a challenging period for both A. Lange & Söhne and Glashütte as a whole. The turmoil of World War I, followed by the economic downturn and the subsequent challenges of World War II, significantly impacted the town's watch manufacturing industry.
During World War II, A. Lange & Söhne produced oversized wristwatches for the German Air Force. However, as the war neared its end, the company faced severe consequences. In the final months of the war, their workshops were destroyed in a bombing raid. By 1948, the Lange family was expropriated, and the remaining assets of the company were nationalized by the Soviet administration. As a result, the name A. Lange & Söhne vanished for the next 45 years.
The Fall of the Iron Curtain and Rebirth:
Everything changed for the Lange family in 1989 with the fall of the Iron Curtain. Walter Lange, great-grandson of Adolf Lange, was finally able to return to Germany and revive his family's watchmaking tradition. By 1990, he had successfully re-registered the A. Lange & Söhne trademark, and in 1994, the brand presented its first watches in nearly half a century.
One of their notable introductions was the Lange 1, featuring a groundbreaking patent. Inspired by one of Adolf Lange's masterpieces—an 1830 clock designed for the Semper Opera House in Dresden—the Lange 1 incorporated an outsized date display. This key feature continues to be a hallmark of many A. Lange & Söhne watches today.
The 2000s and Beyond:
In 2001, after a decade of restoration work, the A. Lange & Söhne workshop reopened in the refurbished remnants of the building destroyed in 1945. Since its revival, the brand has created over 40 new movements, earning them more than 150 international horological accolades. It is evident that A. Lange & Söhne has firmly established its presence and is poised for a promising future in the world of watchmaking.
The watch
The 2019 ref. 148.038 Zeitwerk Date represents the most significant update to the Zeitwerk series since its original introduction in 2009. Previous iterations of the Zeitwerk were primarily cosmetic variations or featured complex complications like an hour-striker and minute-repeater, making them less practical. However, the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date manages to strike a balance between luxury and functionality.
The standout feature of the Zeitwerk Date is its calendar complication, indicated by a date display on the dial's periphery. The date is presented through a fixed ring with 31 days, with the active date highlighted in red. At midnight, the red indicator precisely jumps to the next spot beneath the cut-glass date display. If necessary, the date can be quickly adjusted using one of the pushers on the case.
One might argue that the Zeitwerk didn't necessarily require a date indicator, as it is a timepiece driven by emotion rather than practicality. Nevertheless, the addition of the date serves as a subtle message from A. Lange & Söhne to collectors, emphasizing the watch's suitability for daily wear. Interestingly, my personal favorite enhancements in the Zeitwerk pertain to features beyond the new calendar complication. So, why add it? A. Lange & Söhne aims to prevent its older models from becoming obsolete by introducing new functionalities to subsequent versions, thereby maintaining demand for the previous iterations.
In my opinion, the two most significant upgrades in the 2019 Zeitwerk Date are the larger case size and the increased power reserve. The original Zeitwerk Date measured 41.9mm in width and 12.6mm in thickness, while the new Zeitwerk Date boasts dimensions of 44.2mm in width and 12.3mm in thickness.
This slightly broader and flatter case design exudes a more contemporary feel and wears comfortably on the wrist. Despite the increased size, it remains well-proportioned and accommodates a larger mainspring barrel. The original Zeitwerk suffered from a limited power reserve of approximately 36 hours. However, A. Lange & Söhne has managed to enhance the Zeitwerk Date's autonomy by extending the power reserve to 72 hours.
This improvement is attributed to the brand's new in-house caliber L043.8 manually wound movement. The watch retains its original functions, such as the instant-jumping hours and minutes displayed digitally and the traditional subsidiary seconds dial. The analog power reserve indicator, which ensures the watch remains wound, was crucial in the previous Zeitwerk and remains useful even with the extended 72-hour power reserve. It is worth noting that the additional pusher on the case allows for adjusting the hour hand quickly, making time adjustments more convenient when in a hurry.
The development of the dual digital indicator mechanism for the Zeitwerk presented significant challenges due to the power consumed during each indicator change. To overcome this, Lange incorporated a constant force escapement complication into the Zeitwerk, ensuring a consistent power supply from the mainspring to the movement's gear train. This is achieved through a remontoire system that accumulates and releases power in consistent intervals. The beautifully hand-decorated and -polished L043.8 movement comprises a total of 516 components. In addition to the extended 72-hour power reserve, the watch operates at a frequency of 18,000 beats per hour.
Specifications
| Movement | Manual Winding |
|---|---|
| Calibre |
In-House Caliber L043.8
|
| Dial | Grey |
| Case size | 44.2 mm |
| Material | White Gold |
| Bracelet | Lange & Sohne Alligator Strap |
| Glass | Sapphire |
| Condition | Shows signs of wear |
| Box & Papers | Complete, Full set |
About the brand
About the watch
24 month warranty
Delivery & returns
169 East Flagler Street
169 East Flagler Street
1025
Miami FL 33131
United States
7867185608
Pickup currently unavailable at 169 East Flagler Street
About the brand
About the watch
At The Second Hand Club, we are committed advocates for the exceptional quality of our curated selection of pre-owned timepieces and mechanical objects. In the event of an unexpected issue, we remain committed to addressing it promptly and effectively. Our client's trust and satisfaction are paramount to our entire team.
Each pre-owned watch in our collection has been meticulously examined using non-intrusive methods to confirm their mechanical integrity. Where necessary, servicing has been performed to guarantee they align with our highest standards for timekeeping precision and functional performance.
Unless explicitly indicated, our pre-owned watches are protected by either a comprehensive or a limited warranty for a period of twenty-four months. However, this warranty does not cover damages resulting from accidents or misuse. Given their vintage status, pre-owned watches may not withstand the same conditions as brand new models.
We have a no refund policy, which means that all sales are final.
In some rare cases, we will accept a return awarding you with a store credit making you eligible to choose a different watch from our inventory using your initial payment amount towards the new timepiece.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
To start a return, you can contact us at contact@thesecondhandclub.com. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at contact@thesecondhandclub.com.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Refunds
All sales are final. We do not issue refunds.
