Jump to content
greg_r

First ever review of the Langematik Big Date?

Recommended Posts

greg_r

I guess we all have an "If I won the lottery" watch. For some, it's a Rolex sub or the like, for others (possibly for those with a little more imagination ;) ) it's something a bit more exotic.

 

I've been obsessed with the A Lange et Sohne Grande Lange 1 since not long after they were launched back in the mid-nineties. The price, however, is (at least for me) difficult to justify, so I've gone without. Yes, the Lange 1 has been repped, but with such a low quality version that I could never bring myself to buy one - I know I'd be completely dissatisfied.

 

Like DC with his Pateks, I'm willing to accept some level of compromise, but a rep watch needs to at least capture the flavour of the real thing and not immediately look cheap and nasty. With that in mind, the only Lange that has been repped at an acceptable quality up until now would be the Datograph which is, unfortunately, one of the few Lange watches that has never really grabbed me.

 

Anyhow, following an abortive attempt to buy a really classy gen (a Glashutte Senator Sixties which, sadly, arrived DOA and ended up being sent back for refund), I'd been looking at reps of dress watches, as that's something rather lacking in my collection.

 

Trawling through MR's photo album, I found a Lange that fitted the bill, i.e. Big Date, white dial, rose gold AND it looked the part.

 

MR shipped it on 29th June and it's here on my wrist on 6th July.

 

Oddly, I've never seen this model reviewed before, so let's get the bad stuff out of the way.

  • It's oversized: the gen is 37mm, the rep is closer to 42mm.
  • The gen is auto. The rep is handwind.
  • On the gen, the manufacturer's name on the dial is straight and below the big date. On the rep it's curved and above the big date.

This is not a super-rep, folks - but there's much to like nevertheless...

 

Like DC and his Pateks (or anyone else collecting reps of really high-end watches), I am well aware that I need to accept some compromises. The point is that this has the look of a Lange - it captures the flavour of the brand rather well and doesn't look like some cheaply-finished 21J knockoff on the wrist.

 

The compromises may not suit others, but given that I'm not about to spend $20k on a watch, this is, I think, a set of compromises that I can live with - for undr $250. It deserves a gen croc strap, however, which it will be receiving fairly soon. In the meantime, here's the pics.

 

Here's the gen:

 

langematik%20gen.jpg

 

... and the rep:

 

langematik.jpg

 

langematik-mvt.jpg

 

langematic2.jpg

 

UPDATE: Now with gen croc. Massive improvement:

 

langematik-gencroc.jpg

 

langematik-w-140715.JPG

 

langematik140715.JPG

 

This is a lovely watch (my pics don't even come close to doing it justice) and is likely to be my go-to dress watch for the forseeable future. Thanks to Marvellous Replica for sourcing it for me!

 

Now, the only problem remaining is that I've never owned a Patek. I think I need one. :facepalm:

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
andyboy

Very nice :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
wdev

Very nice indeed, they sure know their shit in Glashutte when it comes to watches.

 

Now if they just hurried up and repped some more Nomos and a Senator seventies...that would be great.

 

This rep looks the part, wear it well :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
greg_r

Thanks guys :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Piccolo

Nice..! Very classy for sure, enjoy it..!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Gazzla

Nice pick up Greg.

 

I make you right regarding the strap, that rep strap looks to be typical crap fare.

 

Enjoy! :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
greg_r

Nice pick up Greg.

 

I make you right regarding the strap, that rep strap looks to be typical crap fare.

 

Enjoy! :D

 

Yep - usual hide of the cardboard cow. I have a gen croc strap on the way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
_DC_

Great write up Greg :thumbsup:

 

I'm glad you're with me on the whole "bad rep can still be a good rep" thing. This certainly is a looker, and will be even better once you get it on a decent strap!! Where have you gone for the shoes?!?

 

I've been pining for my old black dial Datograph recently so might be joining the ALS club again soon, though I still struggle with 42mm as you know! I think you're right though, next stop is a Patek for sure, I'll await your PM for advice ;)

 

DC

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
baxter

Lovely greg, kind of doesn't matter so much about the inaccuracies as these rep dress watches are generally very nice in their own right, i was very impressed with the jlc duometre i had .... maybe if the new Reverso 1931 is as good as it looks and sells well the factories may start putting a bit more time into releasing some nice quality dress watch models.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
hendrik

The way they put the name curved on the dial is much more dificult :giggle:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
_DC_
Lovely greg, kind of doesn't matter so much about the inaccuracies as these rep dress watches are generally very nice in their own right, i was very impressed with the jlc duometre i had .... maybe if the new Reverso 1931 is as good as it looks and sells well the factories may start putting a bit more time into releasing some nice quality dress watch models.

 

There's definitely been a trend towards quality dress watch reps recently. The PP 5227, the AP Jules Audemars, the JLC Reverso!! It's good news for chaps like me :thumbsup:

 

That reminds me, the Jules Audemars is definitely on my "must buy" list!!

 

DC

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
sequoia

Nice watch. Can I ask how much that set you back???

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe

Uhm, looking at the rep (at where the bigdate and small second are located) they could have done it 40 or even less mm and make it look more gen-like :/

They also have an auto Seagull with that configuration (the one used by Gerlach M/S Batory).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Wriggles

Personally I actually prefer the rep oddly. Gen movement aesthetics aside, the gen looks...clunky. I know its a big date but the date is too big.

The curved text on the dial, the shorter batons, the slimmer bezel, all make the rep look that bit more elegant.

And the Arabic numerals on the small seconds is just completely incongruous with the rest of the dial. Rep small seconds appears much better. In my opinion anyway

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Ishmael

My "if I won the lottery watch" - ALS Datograph Perpetual...

 

6EB42E80-11F9-4D80-A6CE-E616FF9F32BA_zpslqg176af.jpg

 

Lovely watch Greg - we all need more ALS in our lives… oh please rep gods...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
plankton

Interesting purchase Greg, I like the style very much. Enjoy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
nunu78

Lovely dress watch G, wear in health.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
HeavyKrush

Nice pick up Greg'ry. Does the date function work?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
James.

Wtf Glasutte very saddace with the 60's being DOA cause THAT is one hell of a fine watch. Having said that the ALS aint too bad either :thumbsup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
myaz

No discussion that you would be chagrined with the Lange1 and Grand Lange1 reps.

Ah, the Grand Lange1 is indeed an obsession and would be my grail if not for the price. That would give me choleric vapors rather than enjoyment.

I did pick up a similar watch from Robert/PWC. The name is below the DW, but it has the Sexy-O-mat logo @4 and I could swear that the size of the DW is a tad smaller than yours.

It is, however, auto. Enjoy yours.

DSCF6311.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
dalboy

Looks very nice indeed Greg.

 

Simply , stylish and understated .. Very Smart indeed .

 

Best of Health to wear it mate .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
cogwatch

And I thought you already had every watch there is..............twice. Great to see even the boss still has new territory to explore. Very nice watch, and like someone else said, I think I might like the look of the rep better than the gen. And honestly, 42mm sounds pretty good to me versus the tiny 37mm gen. An even better deal for the rep in mm/$ :lol:

 

I have one Lange, below, that I lucked out on getting by being on M2M at the right time (3:00am probably :) ), and though I had never even thought about a Lange before I saw it, I had to have it. Elegant to be sure. And versus gen, I have no idea if there is anything close to it. Never even looked to compare. I just know I love it in and of itself. Same as yours, perfect match to the gen or not, it's a great looking watch on it's own, and that's what matters!!!

 

Enjoy it :thumbsup:

 

 

 

image.jpg1_zpsb1gfzjli.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Stuvetjee

And I thought you already had every watch there is..............twice. Great to see even the boss still has new territory to explore. Very nice watch, and like someone else said, I think I might like the look of the rep better than the gen. And honestly, 42mm sounds pretty good to me versus the tiny 37mm gen. An even better deal for the rep in mm/$ :lol:

 

I have one Lange, below, that I lucked out on getting by being on M2M at the right time (3:00am probably :) ), and though I had never even thought about a Lange before I saw it, I had to have it. Elegant to be sure. And versus gen, I have no idea if there is anything close to it. Never even looked to compare. I just know I love it in and of itself. Same as yours, perfect match to the gen or not, it's a great looking watch on it's own, and that's what matters!!!

 

Enjoy it :thumbsup:

 

 

 

image.jpg1_zpsb1gfzjli.jpg

 

Every fucking time i see a tourbie (yes even a asian) i drool away! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
greg_r

Nice pick up Greg'ry. Does the date function work?

 

Yep.

 

 

Thanks guys :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×