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

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

So I got told that I would not be put on the list for an Odysseus if I purchased the 414.026 (1815 chrono boutique edition). But I would be waitlisted for if I got any of the other regular chronos.

Anyone else know if this is policy? I'm dealing with the boutique btw. Not feeling too happy considering I pay the same but get treated differently for buying what is a boutique only model.

If you have the patience for this BS from Lange, you are a better man than I.
Because of all the hype surrounding the 5711 and the CB, 15202 et al, Lange felt left out and came up with a plan to alienate as many of their "little fish" clients as possible. This opaque "tier" program must be based on the model of how to buy a Captaincy in the Prussian Army ca. 1890. Or how to get into a Co-op in NYC circa 1990, or, perhaps, how to pledge a fraternity pre "Animal House".
If you really want this GMO contrivance pay the $85K and buy one on the grey market before all you hair falls out from aggravation.

[WatchEater666]

Not big on it either. It just feels insulting to someone’s intelligence.

[dchang81]

i was thinking about the WG odysseus on rubber but this crap is putting me off.

[893bet]

Originally Posted by dchang81

i was thinking about the WG odysseus on rubber but this crap is putting me off.

I assume the white gold is available with out faffing about. The wait is only for steel.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by cascavel

If you have the patience for this BS from Lange, you are a better man than I.
Because of all the hype surrounding the 5711 and the CB, 15202 et al, Lange felt left out and came up with a plan to alienate as many of their "little fish" clients as possible. This opaque "tier" program must be based on the model of how to buy a Captaincy in the Prussian Army ca. 1890. Or how to get into a Co-op in NYC circa 1990, or, perhaps, how to pledge a fraternity pre "Animal House".
If you really want this GMO contrivance pay the $85K and buy one on the grey market before all you hair falls out from aggravation.

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Not big on it either. It just feels insulting to someone’s intelligence.

Originally Posted by dchang81

i was thinking about the WG odysseus on rubber but this crap is putting me off.

There is no easy option or shortcut to purchasing a product when demand massively exceeds supply, any manufacturer has to try to manage client expectations and since this is virtually impossible it is inevitably people feel upset and let down.

Of course, the solution is easy, find yourself a watch from a manufacturer no one else wants to buy and supply will be instant and hassle free.

[mongrelnomoad]

Agreed Russell, however there are ways and ways of managing tricky situations and disappointments. With the vantage of time I am increasingly convinced that my experience is a perfect example of how not to manage a relationship.

I buy a watch every few years to keep and to wear; with great sadness, I doubt there will be another Lange there.

The amount of goodwill and long-term loyalty the company has squandered among existing and potential customers should trouble them.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

Agreed Russell, however there are ways and ways of managing tricky situations and disappointments. With the vantage of time I am increasingly convinced that my experience is a perfect example of how not to manage a relationship.

I buy a watch every few years to keep and to wear; with great sadness, I doubt there will be another Lange there.

The amount of goodwill and long-term loyalty the company has squandered among existing and potential customers should trouble them.

Spot on and Russell is on point, too. Best advice: buy elsewhere. Fortunately, there are many independents who make superb products that most don't recognize, my personal favorite is the Urban Jurgensen 1.
One of the advantages of being older, and there aren't many, is that you were around when watch unavailability wasn't a thing unless you wanted a personalized Patek. If you didn't buy a 15202, CB, 5711, 5167 etc, it was your own damn fault. If you held out because the discount to MSRP on a pre-owned blue dial 5711 wasn't enough, it's on you.
New collectors, interested in a stainless Odysseus, either have to have deep pockets or find another grail watch, one which their mates may not instantly be able to identify.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Russell996

There is no easy option or shortcut to purchasing a product when demand massively exceeds supply, any manufacturer has to try to manage client expectations and since this is virtually impossible it is inevitably people feel upset and let down.

Of course, the solution is easy, find yourself a watch from a manufacturer no one else wants to buy and supply will be instant and hassle free.

The issue is that their policy is inconsistent. I got an allocation with 1 purchase but a friend in Singapore with 3x the spend I have did not. Seems a little odd. Would rather just have a public site page with a transparent policy as it’s obvious to me ADs are playing games.

[Langepedia]

Although it is rather hard to comprehensively write about this policy; which I have never done so far simply because I seem to be too lazy to do so, two of the biggest problems for me - and many others - is the inconsistency, and the disrespect to many, many collectors who amassed their pieces from local ADs where Lange BTQs have not been.

I'll most certainly get into this!

[PaulFL]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Fingers crossed guys for a faster delivery, I see Lange has also now made the bracelet not removable. I love the bracelet but have also enjoyed swopping out for a custom rubber strap.

I remember reading in a different thread that only the first x number (200 I believe was stated) would have the bracelet removable which certainly sucks a bit, but I will still be ecstatic once mine actually comes in.

I had asked you about your awesome straps not too long ago, glad I didn't place the order lol.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Langepedia

Although it is rather hard to comprehensively write about this policy; which I have never done so far simply because I seem to be too lazy to do so, two of the biggest problems for me - and many others - is the inconsistency, and the disrespect to many, many collectors who amassed their pieces from local ADs where Lange BTQs have not been.

I'll most certainly get into this!

Agreed, it's just kind of a giant slap to the face.

[Horationelson]

On a loosely related note, I have noticed that Lange pieces seem to be much harder to pick up on the grey/secondary market (new and boxed). Chronext used to have a handful of new Langes listed, but they haven’t had a single one listed for several months now. Chrono24 and a handful of grey dealers I have previously enquired to in London about Lange pieces no longer seem to be able to get hold of them. (I’ve never brought from a grey and probably never will, but I did make some high level enquiries last year when shopping around).

This is surely a good thing - other brands *cough ROLEX* could learn a thing or two here.

[GreenLantern]

Is the demand for the SS Ody really as high as we're talking about here?

Not a single person I know has cared about it. All they care about is the standard issue SS models from PP, Rolex, AP (in that order, actually).

No one seems to care about the SS Ody (well, except me, and many of us Lange lovers here).

[Greenp]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Photo from Lange web site.


Photo of current bracelet fitment.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If the bracelet has no cut outs for access to the spring bars, how is even the service center going to take off the bracelet.

[GreenLantern]

Wow, that's shocking, honestly.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Is the demand for the SS Ody really as high as we're talking about here?

Not a single person I know has cared about it. All they care about is the standard issue SS models from PP, Rolex, AP (in that order, actually).

No one seems to care about the SS Ody (well, except me, and many of us Lange lovers here).

I ordered hoping to do what Russ did and throw a rubber strap on it or something similar as I believe it looks 28328x better that way.

Now, I'll probably wear it for a few months and decide if I like it without the rubber... Probably won't though, we'll see.

[GreenLantern]

Yeah, I'm still waiting for mine (coming later this year), as well. And was hoping to have the flexibility to do what Russell did with his (it turned out amazingly well!).

I still want it, obviously, but the change in the bracelet is disappointing.

[Justindo]

The change in the bracelet is really disappointing, as I personally dislike how the faux integrated bracelet looks and would put it on a sailcloth strap. Thankfully, I don't really like the watch, although I would by my choice among the high horology steel pieces if I had to wear one.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Greenp

If the bracelet has no cut outs for access to the spring bars, how is even the service center going to take off the bracelet.

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I ordered hoping to do what Russ did and throw a rubber strap on it or something similar as I believe it looks 28328x better that way.

Now, I'll probably wear it for a few months and decide if I like it without the rubber... Probably won't though, we'll see.

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Yeah, I'm still waiting for mine (coming later this year), as well. And was hoping to have the flexibility to do what Russell did with his (it turned out amazingly well!).

I still want it, obviously, but the change in the bracelet is disappointing.

Hopefully there will prove to be a simple technique to remove the bracelet, it isn’t part of the case and for reasons of water resistance it can’t be attached from within the case - possibly removing links exposes access to the pin bar for removal.

[sgwatchguy]

From last week, allocated. I don’t see the new bracelet/lug design here so they’re still shipping original design.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by sgwatchguy

From last week, allocated. I don’t see the new bracelet/lug design here so they’re still shipping original design.

This is the new bracelet - non removable (at least with no obvious pin bar).

[GreenLantern]

I don't understand how they'd service it, honestly.

Heck, how did they even get the bracelet on?

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I don't understand how they'd service it, honestly.

Heck, how did they even get the bracelet on?

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 :(

[edhahn44]

Just checked mine (early 2020) delivery and it has the visible spring bars like on the picture of the website. Does anyone know when the change happened?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by Russell996

This is the new bracelet - non removable (at least with no obvious pin bar).

Ah. I got the new and the old mixed up.
Unfortunate change.

[fullofboats]

It really irritates me that ALS doesn't respect its customers enough to let them wear their watches the way they want. That they consciously and deliberately changed the bracelet to remove the choice from customers quite frankly pisses me off.

[fmc000]

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 :(

The strap can be "pushed" inwards to reach for the springbar, something you cannot do with a metal bracelet.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by fmc000

The strap can be "pushed" inwards to reach for the springbar, something you cannot do with a metal bracelet.

Are you sure, there is a metal section between the lugs on the WG models - the fitment looks the same as the SS version?

[Gibraltar]

Originally Posted by fmc000

The strap can be "pushed" inwards to reach for the springbar, something you cannot do with a metal bracelet.

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.

[GB-man]

Lange saw Russ’s awesome photos and pulled a Rolex making it hard to modify lol