The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I was taking a look on eBay this morning and stumbled across this - http://cgi.ebay.ca/VERY-RARE-A-LANGE-SO ... 7C294%3A50

I find it interesting, though not sure that I would be comfortable buying it - certainly worth seeing where the price goes.

It's an original Lange & Sohne pocket watch movement from the end of the 19th century with a refinished Lange dial mounted in a new wrist watch case with a DB.

It's likely a (relatively) cheap way to get a practical vintage Lange movement, but at the same time it kind of throws tradition out of the window.

What do you guys think - as much about the concept as the piece itself?

I quite like the idea of restoration and utilising the components in a new way. I love those abandoned whearhouses that are turned into family restaurants by entrepreneurs, minimizing waste. But when it comes to watches it is a different matter, I prefer original condition.

Personaly I would buy it for the novelty of it, and the fact that is so unique, though I wouldnt pay too much. Maybe 1500USD max.

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Certified watch nut.

I don't mind the concept actually - particularly as you say it's a good way to gain a practical vintage movement in a relatively cheap manner. I also don't mind the case and look of that particular piece.

Depends really on what you're looking for in a watch of course - purely the look, the movement or a combination; I could see myself wearing it, although that price doesn't interest me.

Would there be any issue with the movement Roff?

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

It's a 114 year old movement so don't expect great accuracy - + / - 30 seconds a day would be very good, although servicing on these pieces is relatively straightforward and cheap unless you have to have non standard replacement parts (in which case you are into fabrication).

It also wouldn't have an exceptional power reserve - 24 hours or so.

Hmmmmm, the jury's out for me on this. Part of me LOVES it, and part of me really doesn't. If I could snare it for the price it is now then I probably would, but I don't think I would pay more.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Interesting concept.

With 63 people currently watching this auction, I doubt it's going to remain under $1000.

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For more information on identifying Breitling replicas, please visit my web site
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I think it only in recent times that we have got caught up on everything being original on a watch and I think that has more to do with resale value than originality.

I know this weekend I was at a Rolex AD and he showed me the Millgauss, I said it was a shame the center links were polished and that I would prefer them brushed, he said Rolex would take a very dim view of that!

WTF! I own the watch, I have to wear it so I can do what I want with it!

In the old days, before the mechanical watch became a thing of delicate collecting and not the everyday item it used to be before Quartz, people would re-case, they would put generic crowns on, it did not matter, as long as the watch worked.

I think we have gotten too "prissy" with watches (myself included!!)

I think this is a fine looking watch with a magnificent movement, if it makes you smile Roff, go for it, I for one would be proud to have that strapped to my wrist!

And as I know, you have the great good sense to not give a fig about what anyone else thinks!

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All the best.
Ian

That's an interesting point Ian.

Pocket watch movements were sold separate from the watch case - you bought a movement and then selected the case separately, so whilst this isn't a wristwatch movement, it's not an 'abomination' either.

I must admit, it's been growing on me......

Uh-oh!

Interesting mix, I like it.

That is so funny, I was just out having a coffee and giving this some thought.

I am (just) old enough to remember having a local jeweler who used to buy in Swiss movements from one source, cases and crystals from another and then dials made with his name on and then sold them to the public.

Very often he would re- case a watch who's movement was fine but the dial and case damaged.

I think , in Europe at least, this was not an uncommon practice!

In those days it was the movement that was the watch, not what it came in.
For me this piece harks back to those days and is all the more appealing as such. If anything this is a more honest accurate piece in line with the movement for the reasons you and I have both given!

Looking at it this one has not "just been thrown together for a quick sale" either, whoever did it did it with a great deal of sympathy for the period of the movement, I really like it! Also it just happens to be one of the finest pocket watch movements made!

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All the best.
Ian

Went for $1,975 - not bad I guess.

I decided not to bid because I found something else, good job as it turned out because.......

The $400 bill to fix my tractor, which then went to $3,000, has now gone to $5,000

So no watches for a while I fear

Dang 5K!

Sorry to hear about that Roff!

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Certified watch nut.

Yeah, and I still don't have the freaking thing back yet.

It's typical, there was another watch from this seller that I decided to bid on instead of this one - same concept but it was a JLC minute repeater - went for just under $3K and the tractor bill had to cause me to hold off. Now there is another watch available that Breitling Bloke made me aware of that I'm probably also going to have to pass on for the same reason.

Those of you that think cars can be expensive - hope you never need a tractor - the numbers are freaking scary!

You know Roff you being a true watch collector and obviously do have the ability to buy (most) watches that your heart desires its still nice to see that you have a good sense for not being over the top about it. What I mean is you know when and where to draw the line about buying watches and you realize that in the end none of us NEED to have any of the watches we own, what we need so to fix the tractor to cut our lawn, pay our car payments on time, try not to run up our credit card balances, and keep some savings for a rainy day. This move by you was an act of maturity that even adults have a hard time showing in our world today! Hence why our economy is the way it is.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Yeah, even Roff can be sensible - who knew.

This isn't quite a lawn mowing tractor though

I have 90 acres, most of which is treed and I use this for forestry work - it has a skidding winch on the back and can pull 10,000 lb trees at speeds up to about 5 metres / second - might be a bit much for cutting the grass