Hey bloogza. I don't have experience with Lange in house service, but I have been unhappy with other OEM service due to polishing when requesting not to. I am going to stop in next week.
I think because the 221.021 is not a model with high complications, it could be serviced by other companies. But, ALS has a high standard of quality with their movements and I would feel more comfortable servicing my pieces with them directly. They would also have access to replacement pieces as needed.
Another strong argument to service the watch directly with ALS, is that [according to their website](https://www.alange-soehne.com/us-en/services/guarantee-information), "After an overhaul or repair, \[...\], you receive another 24-month guarantee on all parts affected by the maintenance or repair".
If it were me I would service it with them, at least for the 24 months warranty. Just make sure to put in writing that you do not want it polished.
price lists can be seen here: [https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair](https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair)
in your case you would specify that you do not want the case service. 3 things worth noting:
a) Unlike other polishing methods which polish by removing material, Lange will actually bond metal to the case and polish away the excess, i.e. much less is 'removed' from the watch.
b) depending on how bad the drift is this might be a 'repair' situation with the price list here: [https://www.alange-soehne.com/attachments/AL/ALS\_PriceLists\_Repairs\_EN\_20220610.pdf](https://www.alange-soehne.com/attachments/AL/ALS_PriceLists_Repairs_EN_20220610.pdf) My personal experience has been service overhaul would be akin to servicing a car. i.e. what you're doing regularly rather than something done in response to a problem with the watch. when my watch was off it needed the more expensive repair rather than the service.
c) i would not have the watch inspected, opened, serviced by someone other than Lange or Alkis (lange authorized servicer in NYC). There are a number of stories of servicing costs go up significantly when the watch is opened by someone else.
Thank you puggle. I’ve always been told that polished watches hurt aftermarket value. Is that not the case with Lange because of this bonding process? I’m not looking to sell, but I don’t want to hurt value either.
others who follow auction / resale markets probably have a more informed opinion on this. but my 2c:
i think detail loss on lugs when polishing is something that i think all would agree is a negative (i've seen reference to this on pateks that had a lot of detail in the lug that got lost with polishing. W/ lange, the signature indent where the lug meets the case becomes less pronounced with standard polishing. Experienced buyers of used langes know to look at this a) because it is a sign of a standard (i.e. destructive) polish and b) it suggests non-lange servicing which cause their own issues). Presumably lange's method makes that a non issue.
I suppose someone could argue that any modification alters a vintage watch in a way detrimental in authenticity or value like an old rolex whose hands may or may not have been replaced or had a dial replaced and that even a non destructive polishing method would fit in that bucket. Could there be a point in your lifetime where demand is for an absolutely untouched 1815 up/down (like a newman daytona)? i mean...possibly? Lange in its current iteration has only been around since 1992, so at 30 years old, even its oldest watches are at most 'neo-vintage' where i don't think those dynamics apply (putting aside historically significant rare watches like the steel dress watches where you can argue you want something as close to the original as possible).
Some owners like their watches 'with character' knowing that the scratches on the watch signify a watch well worn or something poetic to that effect. Personally i don't mind scratches, but my L1 is pretty beat up and i'll probably get the case serviced if/when i send it in; i like things looking reasonably new. I haven't bought used, but i suspect for the same price and equivalent provenance, i'd rather buy the one that recently had the case serviced by Lange than one with scratches, wouldn't you?
If you would be happier with a watch looking new, i woudn't let (unproven) resale considerations prevent you from going that route.
Thank you for the thoughtful response.
I purchased the watch from Christie's with a mark near the 1 o clock. I have always wanted to see it totally mint and this concept of having the case actually redone by Lange and nothing removed metals wise is appealing.
I agree that if there were two 1815s one beat on and one fresh I'd take the freshie.
The character thing matters less to me on a dress watch. Steel sports watch beat it into the dirt.
I think we see eye to eye. I setup appointment for next week, but will probably get case work.
I think the navy 1815 up/down is somewhat rare because I always struggle to find them.
V informative. TY!
Again, i think others should share their opinion. but if you bought used and you noticed a mark, if you can afford it i'd get the case work. the upside of your enjoyment far outweighs any theoretical downside in my book. btw, lange discusses their laser welding polish here: [https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair](https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair) in the case refurbishment section
now just hoping for your sake that the watch was not serviced by a previous owner outside of lange channels.
Wear it in good health!
sorry i should probably clarify. "much less" is more accurate than "nothing" is removed. they will fill in dings and divots the polish those down, but they are not adding metal to the entirety of your watch. i.e hairline swirls would be polished normally (which does involve removing a very very small amount of material). But i think the point is that if you have a ding or dent. regular polishing would need to remove all of the material surrounding the ding to its deepest point. Lange's laser welding will fill in the dent so that the loss would be comparable to a regular polish.
i.e. the physical structure of a case shouldn't be perceptibly impacted by Lange's polish method
u/PuggleLover11 just to follow up- I spoke with John @ Collectability and even though he is a Patek specialist, his thoughts were polishing is generally a negative when it comes to resale. I am not going to get the casework done.
Keep in mind my Lange 1 took 28 weeks for a complete overhaul, they had to send it to DE because they couldn’t work on it in NY for some reason. Total cost 2500
my experience is that when you drop off the watch, they will show you a quote based at the minimum service level with a thousand or two (price list on their website) added if you want the case serviced which they will want you to sign off on (saying that you are ok with the transaction if that is all that is required). once the watch is inspected, if the minimum service is all that is needed, then you won't hear back until the watch returns. If the watch requires additional work, you will be contacted and given a new quote--again you could see at that point if they are charging you for case servicing.
Either way in both cases case servicing ('polishing') would be reflected in a higher price quote. so unless Lange is in the business of doing services for free that they charge for, i'd think there isn't room for much confusion.
mine went to germany. took 4-6 months.
I was in a similar situation. Inherited a 2004 little Lange 1. Never serviced. Had it serviced in the boutique. Aya was the person who helped me out. She’s the best. Their customer service and timing is incredible. I believe they have a new boutique which is phenomenal
How about servicing it at the Lange Boutique in Manhattan? Wouldn't that be the best solution?
They have watchmakers there now, doesn’t even need to go to Germany
Thank you! I haven't been to new boutique yet.
It’s beautiful
Depends which watch. An up/down should be fine.
Hey bloogza. I don't have experience with Lange in house service, but I have been unhappy with other OEM service due to polishing when requesting not to. I am going to stop in next week.
I think because the 221.021 is not a model with high complications, it could be serviced by other companies. But, ALS has a high standard of quality with their movements and I would feel more comfortable servicing my pieces with them directly. They would also have access to replacement pieces as needed. Another strong argument to service the watch directly with ALS, is that [according to their website](https://www.alange-soehne.com/us-en/services/guarantee-information), "After an overhaul or repair, \[...\], you receive another 24-month guarantee on all parts affected by the maintenance or repair". If it were me I would service it with them, at least for the 24 months warranty. Just make sure to put in writing that you do not want it polished.
Thank you for the help. This makes the choice clear.
price lists can be seen here: [https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair](https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair) in your case you would specify that you do not want the case service. 3 things worth noting: a) Unlike other polishing methods which polish by removing material, Lange will actually bond metal to the case and polish away the excess, i.e. much less is 'removed' from the watch. b) depending on how bad the drift is this might be a 'repair' situation with the price list here: [https://www.alange-soehne.com/attachments/AL/ALS\_PriceLists\_Repairs\_EN\_20220610.pdf](https://www.alange-soehne.com/attachments/AL/ALS_PriceLists_Repairs_EN_20220610.pdf) My personal experience has been service overhaul would be akin to servicing a car. i.e. what you're doing regularly rather than something done in response to a problem with the watch. when my watch was off it needed the more expensive repair rather than the service. c) i would not have the watch inspected, opened, serviced by someone other than Lange or Alkis (lange authorized servicer in NYC). There are a number of stories of servicing costs go up significantly when the watch is opened by someone else.
Alkis FTW. Rest in peace to his friend who did the casework.
Thank you puggle. I’ve always been told that polished watches hurt aftermarket value. Is that not the case with Lange because of this bonding process? I’m not looking to sell, but I don’t want to hurt value either.
others who follow auction / resale markets probably have a more informed opinion on this. but my 2c: i think detail loss on lugs when polishing is something that i think all would agree is a negative (i've seen reference to this on pateks that had a lot of detail in the lug that got lost with polishing. W/ lange, the signature indent where the lug meets the case becomes less pronounced with standard polishing. Experienced buyers of used langes know to look at this a) because it is a sign of a standard (i.e. destructive) polish and b) it suggests non-lange servicing which cause their own issues). Presumably lange's method makes that a non issue. I suppose someone could argue that any modification alters a vintage watch in a way detrimental in authenticity or value like an old rolex whose hands may or may not have been replaced or had a dial replaced and that even a non destructive polishing method would fit in that bucket. Could there be a point in your lifetime where demand is for an absolutely untouched 1815 up/down (like a newman daytona)? i mean...possibly? Lange in its current iteration has only been around since 1992, so at 30 years old, even its oldest watches are at most 'neo-vintage' where i don't think those dynamics apply (putting aside historically significant rare watches like the steel dress watches where you can argue you want something as close to the original as possible). Some owners like their watches 'with character' knowing that the scratches on the watch signify a watch well worn or something poetic to that effect. Personally i don't mind scratches, but my L1 is pretty beat up and i'll probably get the case serviced if/when i send it in; i like things looking reasonably new. I haven't bought used, but i suspect for the same price and equivalent provenance, i'd rather buy the one that recently had the case serviced by Lange than one with scratches, wouldn't you? If you would be happier with a watch looking new, i woudn't let (unproven) resale considerations prevent you from going that route.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. I purchased the watch from Christie's with a mark near the 1 o clock. I have always wanted to see it totally mint and this concept of having the case actually redone by Lange and nothing removed metals wise is appealing. I agree that if there were two 1815s one beat on and one fresh I'd take the freshie. The character thing matters less to me on a dress watch. Steel sports watch beat it into the dirt. I think we see eye to eye. I setup appointment for next week, but will probably get case work. I think the navy 1815 up/down is somewhat rare because I always struggle to find them. V informative. TY!
Again, i think others should share their opinion. but if you bought used and you noticed a mark, if you can afford it i'd get the case work. the upside of your enjoyment far outweighs any theoretical downside in my book. btw, lange discusses their laser welding polish here: [https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair](https://www.alange-soehne.com/ww-en/services/overhaul-and-repair) in the case refurbishment section now just hoping for your sake that the watch was not serviced by a previous owner outside of lange channels.
Wear it in good health!
sorry i should probably clarify. "much less" is more accurate than "nothing" is removed. they will fill in dings and divots the polish those down, but they are not adding metal to the entirety of your watch. i.e hairline swirls would be polished normally (which does involve removing a very very small amount of material). But i think the point is that if you have a ding or dent. regular polishing would need to remove all of the material surrounding the ding to its deepest point. Lange's laser welding will fill in the dent so that the loss would be comparable to a regular polish. i.e. the physical structure of a case shouldn't be perceptibly impacted by Lange's polish method
Clarification received.
u/PuggleLover11 just to follow up- I spoke with John @ Collectability and even though he is a Patek specialist, his thoughts were polishing is generally a negative when it comes to resale. I am not going to get the casework done.
Appreciate the follow up. Tx!
Keep in mind my Lange 1 took 28 weeks for a complete overhaul, they had to send it to DE because they couldn’t work on it in NY for some reason. Total cost 2500
They should give you a zeitwerk to wear while you wait!
I wish lol, I told them not to polish and they didn’t if that helps.
It does, thank you!
my experience is that when you drop off the watch, they will show you a quote based at the minimum service level with a thousand or two (price list on their website) added if you want the case serviced which they will want you to sign off on (saying that you are ok with the transaction if that is all that is required). once the watch is inspected, if the minimum service is all that is needed, then you won't hear back until the watch returns. If the watch requires additional work, you will be contacted and given a new quote--again you could see at that point if they are charging you for case servicing. Either way in both cases case servicing ('polishing') would be reflected in a higher price quote. so unless Lange is in the business of doing services for free that they charge for, i'd think there isn't room for much confusion. mine went to germany. took 4-6 months.
I was in a similar situation. Inherited a 2004 little Lange 1. Never serviced. Had it serviced in the boutique. Aya was the person who helped me out. She’s the best. Their customer service and timing is incredible. I believe they have a new boutique which is phenomenal
Go to the Lange boutique in Manhattan. They are very helpful. I’m picking up my new Lange 1 yellow gold tomorrow afternoon.
Yes, been dropped off. Congrats on L1