Next to a Perpetual Calendar (see my blog on this), I find the movement of an annual calendar the next most attractive horological complication, and one I am likely to purchase. Of course the tourbillions are very beautiful, but I have to say are too pricey for me. Also, minute repeaters are dainty and something I like, but most lack the functionality I look for, same as most tourbillions. Yes there are the Grand Complications that combine a tourbillion AND a minute repeater, AND a perpetual calendar, just as IWC has plus other big names in horology, but then with most of the designs I would struggle with how the numbers are also miniaturized and a strain to read. And it goes without saying, these Grand Complications have grand price tags as well!
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Reference 5146R-001 in pink gold.
So, being a happy and privileged owner of a Perpetual Calendar, let me delve on the topic of Annual Calendars. Very similar to calendar watches, the Annual Calendar is different in one key aspect - they only require adjustment once a year, on March 1, whereas calendar watches need adjustment at least every other month. This "simple" distinction requires very complicated changes in the watch mechanism. Which makes Annual Calendars much more expensive, and also more valuable.
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Annual Calendar.
There are other Annual Calendars out there, but these are my narrowed-down choices. Both of these models use hands to indicate the month and day, versus apertures. I like hands for two reasons.
One is that they reflect the cyclical nature of time as the watch hand goes around one full circle just as the earth goes around the sun one full round. (Read more about this in my previous blog on perpetual calendars.) Thus you feel the progression of the year as the months go by and the watch hand slowly goes around.
Two is that hands are more intuitive. Versus an aperture where you need to read the day or month, with hands you can just look at the position and know the month or day even without reading them.
I also like these two because of the moon phase display of a gold moon against a bright blue background, which provides a nice color highlight and brings to mind a beautiful night sky.
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Annual Calendar has a large and easily readable date, which is what you would need most often, second to the time. It has a well-balanced face with elegant hands and very readable days and months. The back of the calibre is superbly decorated and the colors of the ruby-red jewels and blued screws along with the delicately embossed gold rotor with platinum centrifugal mass are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Moon phase accurate to 1 day in 122 years. The case size is 38.5 mm in diameter.
The A. Lange & Söhne website is filled with technical detail and you can delve into in in much depth. It also provides the rich history of the original watchmaker. This is surely a watch worth considering.
The Patek Philippe comes across with a slightly warmer, cleaner feel. The face is also very balanced, and the months and days are slightly yet noticeably easier to read. The hands have a luminous coating, which comes in handy in a dark movie house. The date is not as large as in the Lange, but still very comfortable to read. The display includes a power reserve, which is a complication I really appreciate and it comes in handy when you switch between watches and don't like using automatic winders. The back if the calibre is beautiful, though slightly less embellished compared to that of the Lange. The case diameter of the Patek is 39.0 mm, so is half an mm larger than the Lange. The Patek Philippe website comes across as very luxurious and conveys the strong heritage of the brand. It has less technical depth then I prefer, so for example I don't see the accuracy of the moon phase display. What you would note though is the richness of their available watch models.
If you go for the large date, go for the Lange.
If you are more price sensitive, go for the Lange.
If you are more for heritage and brand, go for the Patek.
If you are more for readability, go for the Patek.
If you value the power reserve display, go for the Patek.
If you prefer aesthetics of the calibre, go for the Lange.
If you prefer a warmer appeal, go for the Patek.
Lange has a German heritage, and is made in Germany.
Patek has a Swiss heritage, and is made in Switzerland.
Both cultures are known for high precision and exactness.
Both these watches are of the "classic" size. Personally I would much rather that one of them had a 42 mm case size, or even a 41 mm or 40 mm. This would more quickly seal the deal for me. And with Lange coming out with more grand-size watches, maybe it will be coming along soon. But these watches are beauties, so the classic size shouldn't really be a show stopper.
The Patek is priced at SGD 60,300, less 5% in Singapore, and about SGD 56,000 equivalent, less 5% in Kuala Lumpur. The Lange is about SGD 38,000, discounted, in Singapore.
A luxury timepieces is a very personal choice, so go ahead and take your pick. Which would you prefer?
Note: all photos are from the official A. Lange & Söhne and Patek Philippe websites.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Reference 5146R-001 in pink gold.
So, being a happy and privileged owner of a Perpetual Calendar, let me delve on the topic of Annual Calendars. Very similar to calendar watches, the Annual Calendar is different in one key aspect - they only require adjustment once a year, on March 1, whereas calendar watches need adjustment at least every other month. This "simple" distinction requires very complicated changes in the watch mechanism. Which makes Annual Calendars much more expensive, and also more valuable.
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Annual Calendar.
There are other Annual Calendars out there, but these are my narrowed-down choices. Both of these models use hands to indicate the month and day, versus apertures. I like hands for two reasons.
One is that they reflect the cyclical nature of time as the watch hand goes around one full circle just as the earth goes around the sun one full round. (Read more about this in my previous blog on perpetual calendars.) Thus you feel the progression of the year as the months go by and the watch hand slowly goes around.
Two is that hands are more intuitive. Versus an aperture where you need to read the day or month, with hands you can just look at the position and know the month or day even without reading them.
I also like these two because of the moon phase display of a gold moon against a bright blue background, which provides a nice color highlight and brings to mind a beautiful night sky.
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Annual Calendar has a large and easily readable date, which is what you would need most often, second to the time. It has a well-balanced face with elegant hands and very readable days and months. The back of the calibre is superbly decorated and the colors of the ruby-red jewels and blued screws along with the delicately embossed gold rotor with platinum centrifugal mass are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Moon phase accurate to 1 day in 122 years. The case size is 38.5 mm in diameter.
The A. Lange & Söhne website is filled with technical detail and you can delve into in in much depth. It also provides the rich history of the original watchmaker. This is surely a watch worth considering.
The Patek Philippe comes across with a slightly warmer, cleaner feel. The face is also very balanced, and the months and days are slightly yet noticeably easier to read. The hands have a luminous coating, which comes in handy in a dark movie house. The date is not as large as in the Lange, but still very comfortable to read. The display includes a power reserve, which is a complication I really appreciate and it comes in handy when you switch between watches and don't like using automatic winders. The back if the calibre is beautiful, though slightly less embellished compared to that of the Lange. The case diameter of the Patek is 39.0 mm, so is half an mm larger than the Lange. The Patek Philippe website comes across as very luxurious and conveys the strong heritage of the brand. It has less technical depth then I prefer, so for example I don't see the accuracy of the moon phase display. What you would note though is the richness of their available watch models.
If you go for the large date, go for the Lange.
If you are more price sensitive, go for the Lange.
If you are more for heritage and brand, go for the Patek.
If you are more for readability, go for the Patek.
If you value the power reserve display, go for the Patek.
If you prefer aesthetics of the calibre, go for the Lange.
If you prefer a warmer appeal, go for the Patek.
Lange has a German heritage, and is made in Germany.
Patek has a Swiss heritage, and is made in Switzerland.
Both cultures are known for high precision and exactness.
Both these watches are of the "classic" size. Personally I would much rather that one of them had a 42 mm case size, or even a 41 mm or 40 mm. This would more quickly seal the deal for me. And with Lange coming out with more grand-size watches, maybe it will be coming along soon. But these watches are beauties, so the classic size shouldn't really be a show stopper.
The Patek is priced at SGD 60,300, less 5% in Singapore, and about SGD 56,000 equivalent, less 5% in Kuala Lumpur. The Lange is about SGD 38,000, discounted, in Singapore.
A luxury timepieces is a very personal choice, so go ahead and take your pick. Which would you prefer?
Note: all photos are from the official A. Lange & Söhne and Patek Philippe websites.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Singapore
Hi mate, where did you get the discount from. Am interested I'm the Lange.
ReplyDeleteHey! The international pricing for the Lange has changed in the last 2 years, so dealers no longer give a generous discount. Also, my dealer of choice no longer carries Lange, so I don't have easy access to preferential pricing on Lange. Your best approach would still be to get the timepiece from a reputable dealer, as boutiques will uphold strict pricing. Without the big discount though, the Lange will come closer to the Patek in price. Happy hunting for your choice watch!
DeleteIn Singapore or Manila I can access preferential and great prices on IWC, AP, Hublot, Rolex, Ulysses Nardin. A couple of months back, the AP Royal Oak Offshore chronograph in solid gold was available at unbelievable discounts! I almost bought one on impulse! Almost. They said its because gold prices went down, and the brand discounted the model. But if you compare the Boutique price, you'll jump at the original price!
DeleteThanks mate. The boutique discount is measely currently and a lot of retail prices are steep.
DeleteLove the Lange in gold, will have to find a dealer then..