Patek Philippe vs. A Lange & Söhne>>>>>>>>>

[argee1977]

Originally Posted by L-16610

sorry to dissapoint you but it is not an upgrade !

The gold chatons, each his own but I don't like them at all. Blue screws ? The back of a watch is not a coloring page

The hack function, who cares ?I -This is not a a thing which will decide if a watch is haute horlogerie or not. If Patek wants them to hack , they would hack

I don't know how afterservice works for you but I do know a few people in Europe who have Patek watches and in Europe it works perfect.

Also know that Patek get year after year more than 40.000 watches which need a service. So I think it is normal this takes some time.

To be fair, the poster has stated he is an owner of a Patek, and has had a bad experience. Patek may be the brand that you like, but the good thing about places like this is that you'll not get 90% saying 'Patek', you'll get a plethora of watchmakers, off the top of my head you'll have people say Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, Richard Mille, Urwerk and so on, there are literally dozens of top end brands, and very little between them.

[vukotab]

I voted Patek.
Why? Because it`s PATEK!

[Ranfni]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Is Rolex on the bottom of your list since they make 800K + watches a year?

Yes

[Paul7039]

I have owned both Patek and Lange. Both companies make beautiful watches and, in my humble opinion, at the pinnacle of watchmaking. I prefer the look of the Langes, so I currently own one of them.

Philippe Dufour wears a Lange, not a Patek -- draw your own conclusion. I am guessing he knows more about the manufacture of watches than most of us.

I am glad people like different things -- otherwise we would all be wearing Timex.

One of my favorite things about this forum is that we can all have different opinions while still admiring each other's watches.

[Mockingbird]

Apples to oranges. Two different styles and engineering themes.

If you asked me to pick any Patek or any Lange I'd pick the Datograph simply for styling. Comparing quality at that pricepoint is completely pointless.

[Macfan]

A. Lang & Sohne for me. Why? Well, the Pateks aren't inspiring to me until you get around $60K. But, there are some Langs that I love in the mid 30s.


One more thing: Patek Phillippe loses 10 point for the Nautilus....Yuk

[paverman]

As has been stated many times on this forum, it all depends on ones tastes. You can tell by my avatar what my answer is, but having said that, I own and love many patek references as well. They are both high end manufactuers that are at the pinacle of the industry, each with unique characteristics.

I would difffer with the last poster regarding the Nautalus. I have the 5712R and simply love it. While completely different than some of the more "traditional" Patek watch designs, it's beautiful in its own right. Once again, to each his own.

[Paracentesis]

Originally Posted by paverman

I have the 5712R and simply love it. While completely different than some of the more "traditional" Patek watch designs, it's beautiful in its own right.

Before I tried on a 5712, I thought it was a hideous watch. Afterwards, I wanted one. It's a beautiful piece of design. A grail.

[gypsy]

I choose A. Lang & Sohne. Just prefer the designs to Patek and I love the automatic digital ones. Ken's avatar is possibly my perfect dress watch. Something totally different with superb workmanship.

Doubt I'll ever afford it though :(

[nilfire77]

Originally Posted by johnswatch

This one's easy.

It has to be Lange for me every time and here's why.....

Patek has family values and is not a conglomerate - these 'values' include treating customers wirth disdain and taking forever to fix warranty issues due to very poor QC.

Lange has excellent finishing in my view several notches above Patek. The screwed gold chastons holding the jewels are a beautiful example of this.

The design of Lange is classic whilst remaing contemporary. The watches have a hack or zero reset functionn which Patek does not. How can a watch supposedly at the highest end of haute hologerie not hack? This is basic watch design.

Parts wearing out prematurely on Pateks....do a bit of digging and it becomes clear that Patek is spending huge sums of money on advertising without addressing significant manufacture issues. The idea that the 22k gold rotor can wear out after a few years beggars belief. Imagine what this costs to replace, again a very poor design. Vacheron fix this issue by using ceramic bearings.

Unfortunately these are not isolated issues and whilst the internet magnifies these issues I note that other brands don't have the same issues VC, Lange, Rolex,Breiting etc.

I know that Patek makes many more watches and there may be issues with Langes as well but if you're claiming to make the best watches in the world you should be able to backup that claim.

I am a very upset Patek owner who is looking to upgrade to a Lange.

Apparently, PP's QC problems are still very rampant until now... Wonder how long do we have to wait for PP to get their act together...

[Le Chef]

I've been a fan since they first relaunched with innovative designs and breathtaking quality. Kudos for an amazing journey over the last 15 years and some unbelievable watches and calibers they have developed.

I sat next to 2 senior Lange execs at a dinner a couple of years ago in Dresden, and they were unequivocal that they had no desire to be like Patek at all. They were following their own path, based on the company's 200 year old history, and based on pushing the envelop in terms of complications and calibers.

Their volumes are smaller because they are constrained by geography more than anything else. Glashutte is not Switzerland with its access to larger groups of watchmakers and specialists. Even with the new building they will not expand volume levels, but use that facility and reorganization to make watchmaking more ordered and give the watchmakers more space and better light.

The choice between Lange and Patek doesn't have to be "Either Or" it can be "And And". Anyone who loves watches will likely find something in both lines they would like to own, maybe more.

The debate based on superiority tends to be destructive: highlighting the differences and understanding why they exist is a much more fruitful discussion that leads to a greater appreciation of both brands.

[KarlS]

I am a multiple PP owner but would like a ALS at some stage. I think hacking is cool.i don't really know how else u accurately measure the time keeping without remembering where the second hand is versus the atomic clock. I understand that ALS makes good the gold taken off a case during polishing so it always weighs the same as at purchase. Not sure if true but if it us that's a brilliant sales tool imho but then each to his own

[Wojtecki]

Originally Posted by KarlS

I am a multiple PP owner but would like a ALS at some stage. I think hacking is cool.i don't really know how else u accurately measure the time keeping without remembering where the second hand is versus the atomic clock. I understand that ALS makes good the gold taken off a case during polishing so it always weighs the same as at purchase. Not sure if true but if it us that's a brilliant sales tool imho but then each to his own

Please explain some more about the gold at ALS.

[locutus49]

How would they make the watch weigh the same after polishing?

Originally Posted by KarlS

I am a multiple PP owner but would like a ALS at some stage. I think hacking is cool.i don't really know how else u accurately measure the time keeping without remembering where the second hand is versus the atomic clock. I understand that ALS makes good the gold taken off a case during polishing so it always weighs the same as at purchase. Not sure if true but if it us that's a brilliant sales tool imho but then each to his own

[PJ S]

^ Proprietary methodology…aka magic!

[Waiteu2]

I dare say they would laser weld damage to a gold case e.g. A gouge or dink in the case but can't really see how they would replace metal that has been polished away.
Maybe they sprinkle it with gold dust and put it in the oven!

[willski]

Originally Posted by topcat30093

Michael, regarding your comment "Second, almost all high-end watch salesman, store owners, and experts prefer A Lange"

I would be interested to read, what you have based this remark on?

Has statistics been published from dealers that sell both Patek & Lange together?



I have to say that I find this thread rather un constructive!

Why didn't you name it something like "What I love about Lange & Sohne"



And for the record, I am also fortunate to have owned both brands, both of which are designed & crafted to an extremely high standard.



Regards

Tony

This echoes my thoughts.

I'm a fortunate owner of both and an admirer of both. Whilst Lange have had an undeniable run in the modern age, it's undeniable that Patek's vintage history is much more rich with many appealing references - Lange, not so much.

Would also be curious to see where people are getting their sales figures from.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GB-man]

I think Lange makes better watches but they lack the warmth that Patek has. Regardless these days I find myself gravitating back to Rolex having owned Lange and still owning 2 Patek.

[subtona]

What a bump!


Patek more classically sized and styled.

ALS more presence, size & decoration.

[Stuxnet]

I love the entertainment value of these threads where some bloke buys a watch, is unsure about whether he bought the right watch, and so posts some rambling treatise on why the watch he bought is better than all watches in all the history of time. All backed up by lofty, unverifiable statements ascribing to and generalizing the tastes of an entire class of people. All done in the hopes that people buy into the false premises, vacuous logic and faulty argument so that everybody sits around in a circle patting the back of the gent to the right of him. A real Oprah type "you go girl" circus.

Coming to a Patek forum to say that ALS is great and Patek is rubbish is like walking into a crowded room and telling each man his wife is obese, stupid, has a lazy eye, and despite all those physical attractions, she is also emptying his bank account while cheating on him with the butcher's boy. Claiming to have also been a former member of the fat, ugly, cheating wife's club does not give the argument or the poster irrefutable credibility.

If you like one brand better than another, state your case by highlighting all the things that make it great. Don't trash something for the simple reason of seeking positive reinforcement and affirmation of a choice you may not be sure about. I mean, I add no value in the ALS vs Patek battle by saying I don't like ALS because the watches are like hockey pucks. See, unqualified, personal opinion with no added benefit to the forum.

[PJ S]

Thankfully the forum works on the premise that we each have an opinion (subjective or not), and can discuss how our individual (or group) opinions affect our perceptions and decision making process.
Plenty of added benefit in discussing the merits or pitfalls of those stated opinions – and best of all, it’s not absolutely necessary that they’re qualified solely through purchase and ownership.

[HorologyK]

Originally Posted by Stuxnet

I love the entertainment value of these threads where some bloke buys a watch, is unsure about whether he bought the right watch, and so posts some rambling treatise on why the watch he bought is better than all watches in all the history of time. All backed up by lofty, unverifiable statements ascribing to and generalizing the tastes of an entire class of people. All done in the hopes that people buy into the false premises, vacuous logic and faulty argument so that everybody sits around in a circle patting the back of the gent to the right of him. A real Oprah type "you go girl" circus.

Coming to a Patek forum to say that ALS is great and Patek is rubbish is like walking into a crowded room and telling each man his wife is obese, stupid, has a lazy eye, and despite all those physical attractions, she is also emptying his bank account while cheating on him with the butcher's boy. Claiming to have also been a former member of the fat, ugly, cheating wife's club does not give the argument or the poster irrefutable credibility.

If you like one brand better than another, state your case by highlighting all the things that make it great. Don't trash something for the simple reason of seeking positive reinforcement and affirmation of a choice you may not be sure about. I mean, I add no value in the ALS vs Patek battle by saying I don't like ALS because the watches are like hockey pucks. See, unqualified, personal opinion with no added benefit to the forum.

Trashing Patek on a Patek forum is not cool. If you don't like the brand then move on, but a lot of what is said here is accurate.

[rahulma]

love them both!!

[myopiccoog]

For me it is watch specific. Some Lang are superior and some Patek are superior. Dato Zeitwerk Lang. Perp calendar chrono, repeaters, splits are Patek all the way. Vintage, you know the answer.

[benzng]

i have both and each has its own plus factor. i think Patek better for the annual calendar and Lange for the Chronograph. for a perpetual, i went with Lange

[Samui]

This is a great thread about two of my favorite brands. I think the dato kills the 5070

[TimeOnHand]

Love both Brands... But if I could only have one then it would be a Patek!

[el1125]

Originally Posted by Samui

This is a great thread about two of my favorite brands. I think the dato kills the 5070

Aesthetically and residual value would say otherwise. But it's ok to have different opinions. There is hardly a more beautiful watch than Pateks 5070.

[SearChart]

At this level of horology I don't think there is that much difference in quality, sure the brands finish their watches differently but both are excellent. It comes down to taste.
I would love to own watches from either of these brands in the future.

[paverman]

[QUOTE=subtona;6427107]What a bump!


i agree with the quantum bump.

In reviewing the previous posts, I still stand by my comments of some 5 years ago .
Having Sid that, Lange is far and away my favorite brand and I've collected, (well hoarded ) well over a dozen and firmly believe them to be one of, if not the finest watch manufacturers in the world. That of course is only my opinion and I collect, wear and cherish several Pateks as well, so to put them head to head is a futile endeavor if you ask me. Buy what you like and enjoy.