Lange Sales/Distribution Change – Pre-Sale Pieces and Application Pieces

[Allanmodel]

This way....?

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Gibraltar

Sorry, I probably wasn't clear enough. What I meant was you can still remove most of the bracelet, which is enough to service the watch. You cannot remove the link between the lugs, so you end up with something that looks like the WG model with the strap removed.

Interestingly, those links between the lugs are still different between the new steel and the WG model. On the steel one the buttons to remove the bracelet are on the 2nd link, while the buttons to remove the strap on the WG model are on the link between the lugs.

Pretty sure everyone else who makes watches with integrated bracelets still removes the entire bracelet, including the end-links, in order to service the watch case-only.

So, I have to believe ALS does that too, somehow.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Gibraltar

The same way they service the WG model, presumably. The bracelet can still be removed, just not the first link between the lugs. I imagine you could still fit a strap, but you'd need a custom one.

That being said, the change is unfortunate :(

Doesn't that mean dirt can accumulate in there since it's not a single solid piece of metal (bonded to the case)?

How do they properly clean the whole thing during service if they cannot remove it?

[phiberoptiks]

I believe the newer models do have that piece welded to the case so it's not removable anymore. Very sad because I really liked the idea of a casual strap on it.

[anselm]

Originally Posted by phiberoptiks

I believe the newer models do have that piece welded to the case so it's not removable anymore. Very sad because I really liked the idea of a casual strap on it.

Not sure it is welded. Just the spaces for the spring bar removal are solid. So I assume to remove you must somehow break the spring bar or cut holes in the end links.

[GreenLantern]

Clearly Lange's not listening to their customers here. Everyone knows we all like interchangeable straps/bracelets.

[phiberoptiks]

Probably was concerned it couldn't truly be called an integrated bracelet stainless sports watch with the exposed springbars like that

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by phiberoptiks

Probably was concerned it couldn't truly be called an integrated bracelet stainless sports watch with the exposed springbars like that

Yeah, probably.

But still, who cares what it could be called if we, collectors, are happy?

No one seems to care what we want or if we're happy.

[anselm]

Originally Posted by phiberoptiks

Probably was concerned it couldn't truly be called an integrated bracelet stainless sports watch with the exposed springbars like that

Yes that is the concern. They saw Russ as well as mine on strap and then I heard the feedback. I think I was one of the first to get the piece. Then I removed the bracelet as well as reshaped the bracelet so it was all the same width on one side. Then I tried several straps on it. I had a custom JR rubber strap with curved ends to fit better and lumed the buckle as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVI2UI5J...dium=copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CV8N9xZp...dium=copy_link


.

[phiberoptiks]

Awesome, wish I could have the strap option. My guess is they will sell proprietary replacement straps similar to the overseas in the future. Hopefully, anyway...

[anselm]

Originally Posted by phiberoptiks

Awesome, wish I could have the strap option. My guess is they will sell proprietary replacement straps similar to the overseas in the future. Hopefully, anyway...

I hope so but I asked several times and the answer was if you want it on strap you buy the WG version.

[phiberoptiks]

Originally Posted by anselm

I hope so but I asked several times and the answer was if you want it on strap you buy the WG version.

Just need delugs to come through! Too bad market is so small

[Ricardopierre]

Originally Posted by edhahn44

I also wonder whether this will have an impact on secondary market. As stated previously, I see prices for the sought after pieces appreciating quite quickly. However, you can still get a Lange 1 Darth below retail of the current line, which is hard to understand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

..it seems it is having an impact - a darth on EWC showing as taken for 87k..

[GreenLantern]

You realize that the secondary market no longer makes sense and no longer reflects reasonable reality, right?

The secondary market is entirely influenced by grey market manipulators and speculators now.

All it takes is one of the "bigs" to go all in on Lange and you'll start to see list prices increase.

If they are willing to keep that up long enough, eventually people will start paying those prices because there's no where left to turn.

Classic hoarding and market manipulation. (Not illegal, since no laws are being broken yet.)

[edhahn44]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

You realize that the secondary market no longer makes sense and no longer reflects reasonable reality, right?

The secondary market is entirely influenced by grey market manipulators and speculators now.

All it takes is one of the "bigs" to go all in on Lange and you'll start to see list prices increase.

If they are willing to keep that up long enough, eventually people will start paying those prices because there's no where left to turn.

Classic hoarding and market manipulation. (Not illegal, since no laws are being broken yet.)

I believe the reality sits somewhere in the middle - for your theory you still need demand somehow, ie somebody needs to pull the trigger on a Darth for € 75k otherwise this does not make sense.
My view is that for the Lange sought after pieces (not many, but Lumens, early L1s, Limited Editions, Chronos, Datos, etc.) the demand is there and people really buying at these prices. Contrarily, you can see that the market for the CB stagnated and the price increase (artificially created or not) has reached a plateau.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by edhahn44

I believe the reality sits somewhere in the middle - for your theory you still need demand somehow, ie somebody needs to pull the trigger on a Darth for € 75k otherwise this does not make sense.
My view is that for the Lange sought after pieces (not many, but Lumens, early L1s, Limited Editions, Chronos, Datos, etc.) the demand is there and people really buying at these prices. Contrarily, you can see that the market for the CB stagnated and the price increase (artificially created or not) has reached a plateau.

A very high plateau that is and as you see with the 5711, it only takes a highly publicized auction for things to make another jump.

[nickorette]

I had two pieces I wanted from the Lange AD. First one would be 6 months before the dealer could even get an ETA. The other piece would be 12+ months. I got in touch with Lange USA Boutique and was able to get both pieces right then so I went ahead...

Imo the manufacturer boutique seems like the way to go in a lot of cases.