ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
1 April 2020, 10:04 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 257
|
Lange: Deployant vs Tang
Hi All,
Three months ago, I bought a yellow gold Lange 1, reference 191.021, which came with a Lange tang buckle. I love the watch, but I go back on forth between two thoughts with respect to the buckle. On one hand, I think a watch of that caliber should have a deployant clasp, as a deployant is a more impressive and useful mechanism than a plain old tang buckle (and, FYI, my Breitling Navitimer and my Glashütte Original Panoreserve both have deployant clasps). On the other hand, I recognize that the Lange 1 is a slim "dress watch" and as such "should" have a simple tang buckle. My thoughts on this whole thing are further complicated because I know many of the older Lange 1 models came on deployant clasps—but Lange now seemingly produces Lange 1s with only tang buckles. Here are pictures I took from google of the two types of buckles: Tang buckle: Deployant clasp: Against this backdrop, I would like to hear your thoughts on the following: 1) Money aside, would you rather have the pictured tang buckle or the pictured single-fold deployant on the Lange 1? Why? 2) If you would rather have the deployant, would you spend $2-3K for one? |
1 April 2020, 11:37 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: US
Posts: 2,703
|
Interesting questions.
I like deployants as I see them more refined (which I guess is your view as well) and potentially more secure (this perhaps is debatable) but the fit can be tricky. I have a Panomatic Lunar, and I had to flip the deployant to make it fit my wrist. I think that GO offers deployants of two different lengths, and if I am not mistaken also buckles. To answer your questions: 1) I would have the deployant only because it feels more refined. 2) Perhaps not unless I can make sure first that it fits my wrist great. Bottom line, buckles as unsophisticated as they look they work great! |
1 April 2020, 12:15 PM | #3 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 19,265
|
Deployant, cleaner lines and more secure on the wrist.
And yes, have paid that in the past for a Patek RG deployant and happy to do so again if the situation warrants.
__________________
__________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” -- Hunter S. Thompson Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
1 April 2020, 01:16 PM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: US
Posts: 59
|
These deployants nowadays are used to sweeten the deal. I brought my 1815 chronograph and The boutique offered me a WG deployant in addition to the tang buckle came with the watch
|
1 April 2020, 01:28 PM | #5 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Real Name: George
Location: Massachusetts
Watch: Milgauss
Posts: 681
|
The only drawback to Lange deployants is the price! Yowza. But, you could always buy one, keep both d and t, and have the option.
|
1 April 2020, 01:29 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: William
Location: New York
Watch: Journe, AP & Lange
Posts: 868
|
In general I prefer a deployant, however, I really like the Lange tang clasp. Would be nice for them to include both with purchase, plus a few extra straps. You pay over $20k for a watch you should get a few extras.
That being said, I have a Richard Lange on a tang buckle and couldn’t be happier with it, plus I purchased a few straps. |
1 April 2020, 01:48 PM | #7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Mike
Location: CT
Posts: 8,968
|
I usually have problems getting deployant clasps to fit properly, and so revert back to a tang
|
1 April 2020, 02:33 PM | #8 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 19,265
|
Just curious, have you tried reversing the strap/deployant?
__________________
__________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” -- Hunter S. Thompson Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
1 April 2020, 03:25 PM | #9 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,150
|
|
1 April 2020, 09:46 PM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: South Charlotte
Posts: 182
|
I switched all my Lange 1's to deployants. Lange has two types, the one shown above the and the butterfly one. The butterfly is not as heavy and seems to work well. I would give that one a try vs the original solid one.
|
1 April 2020, 10:11 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Denmark
Posts: 28
|
I don't have a Lange watch, so can't speak for their deployants, but generally I prefer a tang buckle. I never dropped a watch, so I'm not really interested in the increased security of a deployant. I also find tangs more comfortable on the wrist, and easier to take on and off.
But mostly, I prefer to quickly and easely get the strap completely out of the way to look at that beautiful backside of the watches. This applies in particular to watches like Lange. |
1 April 2020, 11:47 PM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Brussels
Posts: 63
|
this and using a strap that was designed for a deployant. this makes the fit perfect for me on a Journe. the side of the strap at 6 is much shorter than on a normal strap, which makes the deployant perfectly centered
|
2 April 2020, 12:27 AM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,834
|
I thought I liked deployants and was considering purchasing one for my Lange 1. The price though (platinum) gave me pause. I said I’d live with it for a while and see if my opinion changed.
And it did. I really like the tang now - especially the extra bar which stops excess wear on the strap. I purchased a custom strap with just one hole, and it just feels right. I can also gaze at the movement whenever I take the watch off. Complete 180 on my part. |
2 April 2020, 12:37 AM | #14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: North Carolina
Watch: VC Overseas DT
Posts: 132
|
I too have never owned a Lange, but all my pieces have deployant clasps, including my Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. I have also paid $2-3K for precious metal deployants. I also had to reverse the clasp on one of my pieces, a GO Senator Perpetual. The most comfortable deployants I have are butterfly’s. Interesting the most uncomfortable is my Rolex Daytona. As has been stated, sometimes discounts can be negotiated for deployants at the time of purchase. I have also found pre-owned on Chrono24 and other sites. Since the clasp takes a beating on every watch I wouldn’t shy away from pre-owned.
|
2 April 2020, 12:56 AM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,199
|
On simple and thin dress pieces such as most Calatravas I prefer a tang buckle. I am not afraid of dropping or losing a watch not having a deployant. On bulkier and/or sportier pieces I don't mind the deployant. The Lange 1 is kinda in between in my eyes though I don't own one - the deployant seems nice to have but I'd likely not pay a few grand extra.
|
2 April 2020, 12:57 AM | #16 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,150
|
Lange actually has 3 types. The heavy duty version slides apart so you can lay the piece out flat.
|
2 April 2020, 02:23 AM | #17 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 257
|
I appreciate everybody's responses so far.
En_nissen, you raise an interesting point: Quote:
If the deployant clasp required a screwdriver (like the one on my G.O.) or was otherwise difficult to remove from the strap piece with holes, I would not consider it precisely for the reason you stated: Lange movements should be viewed and appreciated. From what I see online, though, it appears that the Lange deployant simply pushes through the strap piece that has holes, so it can (I think) be easily pushed back through the strap hole and removed from obstructing the view of the movement. I would love to hear from any owners of Lange deployants about how easy (or difficult) it is to remove the deployant from the side of the strap with holes. |
|
2 April 2020, 04:20 AM | #18 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: US
Posts: 2,703
|
Quote:
|
|
2 April 2020, 04:46 AM | #19 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,150
|
Lange: Deployant vs Tang
Quote:
If you want to have easy access to see the movement it might worth be looking at the third deployant option they make that slides apart. You can see the little tab on the right side of the deployant below which allows you to open it fully for access to the back of the piece. |
|
2 April 2020, 05:50 AM | #20 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,834
|
Quote:
|
|
2 April 2020, 07:54 AM | #21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,150
|
|
2 April 2020, 10:04 AM | #22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: New York
Posts: 75
|
The deployment clasp in my opinion is a must. The watch feels more balanced on the wrist with the deployment clasp and the strap will last much longer as you aren’t constantly bending it and pulling it through the tang. Additionally, you can worry less about dropping it while putting it on. All boutiques carry it, the 18k retails for 3000. The platinum one is much more costly.
|
2 April 2020, 10:11 AM | #23 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: 3970
Posts: 3,793
|
Quote:
To me, I've purchased OEM deployants (including Patek) and I will say - I don't think they are worse paying MSRP. Get a big discount if not use the tang and then perhaps get another deployant. |
|
2 April 2020, 11:55 AM | #24 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: @jb.watching
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,465
|
I had a tang on my Dato, and in general prefer the buckle over a deployant 100% of the time.
It’s not something I would ever pay $2-3k for. |
2 April 2020, 12:01 PM | #25 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: US
Posts: 2,703
|
Quote:
|
|
2 April 2020, 12:21 PM | #26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Fran
Posts: 2,212
|
I generally prefer a tang buckle for my Lange watches. I generally prefer the fit of a tang buckle. I have the double split platinum on a tang--- At one point they switched to a deployment. I have a 1815 double split platinum perpetual and datograph up/down on deployment. I bought a tang for the later but decided to sell it so never did a side by side. The double split platinum is the largest and heaviest of the Langes I own and it fells comfortable on the wrist. Just easier to drop it when taking on and off and strap clearly likely to wear out more rapidly
|
3 April 2020, 06:44 AM | #27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 257
|
Anselm and Watchucallit, do you find—when you want an unobstructed view of your Lange movements—that you can easily push the deployant pin back through the strap piece with holes (to then allow you to "open" or separate the strap pieces)?
__________________
Lange Lange 1 ref. 191.021 | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15500 | Breguet Classique ref. 5177BB | Glashütte Original Panoreserve | Breitling Navitimer 01 Limited Edition |
3 April 2020, 06:53 AM | #28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: South Charlotte
Posts: 182
|
Yes, on the butterfly version, you just unhook the strap from the hole you chose and it is separate. Not tools needed
|
3 April 2020, 09:34 AM | #29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: England
Posts: 12
|
Thank you so much that's very helpful.
|
3 April 2020, 11:49 AM | #30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Fran
Posts: 2,212
|
|
Tags |
deployant , lange , lange 1 , tang clasp |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.