Lang 1943: A New Affordable German Watch

This yet-to-be released new watch has an unique movment base, the Marvin 700 from the 1960s. Very interesting watch. Hand-wound, 21,600 so/hr ...

[@obesetuna3164]

Hi Bill. In the world field watches, most commentators tend to be raving about the new Tudor Ranger. However, for the same kind of money, the Lang kooks like a very nice alternative.

[@watchartsci]

I was just checking out the Tudor, Tuna, and it looks pretty good too. It's about $1,000 less than the Lang 43 Edition One... Take care, Bill

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Thanks bill for showing this beautiful well balanced dial watch

[@watchartsci]

Thanks Monkey! I hope the little company succeeds. Take care, Bill

[@davidsimoneta8513]

You're always on the wave, Bill...👍

[@watchartsci]

From my mis-spent youth as a surfer, David! Take care Bill

[@daniellien6704]

Looks A LOT like a Patek 5226G, which I love. Great alternative, it seems.

[@watchartsci]

I see what you mean, Daniel. The style is similar but the Lang 43 has a sub-dial seconds and no 5-7 numbers ... but otherwise, yeah... Take care, Bill

[@wmk29]

Should add to my expanding German only watch collection, thanks for the tip!

[@watchartsci]

You have a German-only collection ... that's unique in its own way Will. Take care, Bill

[@Tuneitupful]

Another new watch for me to learn about- thanks Bill.

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure, Tuneitupful! Take care, Bill!

[@j1d7s]

Very interesting watch with a very nice movement to look at. I like the approach they have taken not to cut the hour markers 5-7 off, leaving them off instead, that is a nice design idea. It is very unique, but 3700$ is a bit steep for a field-type watch (and me).

[@watchartsci]

Totally agree. k1d7s... nice watch but almost $4,000 ... pretty steep indeed. The Marvin 700 base is nice, and I like the original 2.5Hz ... and even the 3Hz of the L431... Take care, Bill

[@Lexcoaster]

First we had A. Lang & Sohne, then Lang & Heyne, then Marco Lang and now Lang 1943. 😁 Looks like a nice watch!

[@watchartsci]

Lexcoaster, don't forget Rolf Lang-kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-kpmSQe9pol68 Take care, Bill

[@Lexcoaster]

@@watchartsci Oh wow, didn't know about him. Looks very impressive.

[@AbdulRWatches]

Thanks, Bill for another watch that has been added to my long "Bill recommended List" 😁 I really like the look and configuration of the dial, the movement looks great as well. It looks very similar to the Nomos Alfa movement that was based on the Unitas movement. I might be biased, but I think it is a great addition to the German office watch area with watches.

[@watchartsci]

Hi Abdul, is $3,700 on the high side? What do you think?

[@AbdulRWatches]

@@watchartsci I think so, an in-house Nomos is around 2.5k till 5k, and a Dornblüth is around 4.5k so I think it's priced in-between. I think the issue with these indépendant watches with movements that are novel, it's hard to have a kind of benchmark.

[@watchartsci]

@@AbdulRWatches Good point

[@matttheoneonly6617]

Interesting approach, nothing can compare to the Lang era chronoswiss though in my opinion. They were fantastic watches, especially the Delphis

[@watchartsci]

Yeah, Matt, I've heard that a lot. Take care, Bill

[@Javi_C]

Thanks Dr.!

[@watchartsci]

As always Javi, my pleasure! Take care, Bill

[@ivansmith4242]

It’s ok not hitting any home runs but a solid single or double.

[@watchartsci]

That's a good way of putting it Ivan. Take care, Bill

[@ivansmith4242]

@@watchartsci it’s just unfortunate that the world of watches has been stratified and you can only get certain features at certain price points. Mostly due to lazy producers and lazy consumers. Who don’t challenge the conventional methodology of pass it on to the customer. I understand a five figure price tag for a Ferrier or Moritz Gross. That’s a generational timepiece. But for a Patek or Rolex or H. Moser etc etc hell no.

[@watchartsci]

@@ivansmith4242 I think H. Mosers have some 5-figure watches that are are worth every penny. I think Laurent Ferrier and Moritz Grossmann make fine watches and I think both are somewhat over prices. Take care, Bill

[@ivansmith4242]

@@watchartsci When brands get corporate guidance they lose their soul. Usually it just means they get more profit from each piece produced rather than the consumer getting more value. Ah well schucks who cares anyways.

[@watchartsci]

@@ivansmith4242 Assuming they have souls to lose...😉

[@fkurcik]

This was well spotted Bill. I like the low frequency movement. This piece reminds of the new Patek Phillippe field watch. It seems they closed the preorder stage, because their website says it will be available soon.

[@watchartsci]

Right Frantisek...the "available soon" button really doesn't take the viewer to any useful information. Take care, Bill

[@francisng341]

Thanks bill. Very interesting watch based on the picture....hopefully actual watch wont let us down. Price is good. Do you plan to get one too??? Keep up the good work Sir.

[@watchartsci]

Hi Francis, I really had to dig to find the Marvin 700, and the information indicated it was 2.5Hz instead of 3Hz like the Lang 43. In looking closely, they (Lang 43) really cleaned it up and added more rounded corners on the plates & bridges along with some good anglage. Take care, Bill

[@richardsims3847]

Thought this was going to be a new Lang and Heyne but interesting as always.FYI I enquired recently about the Georg which I know you covet as do I;delivery end of 2023.A deposit would encourage a healthy lifestyle so I could survive long enough to actually get it.All the best from the Spanish inferno.

[@watchartsci]

Same here Richard. When I saw 'Lang' I thought either Marco or Rolf had come out with a new watch... Not bad, though. Take care, Bill

[@robertmueller3267]

Lot to like about it!

[@watchartsci]

Attractive without the bling, I'd say Robert. Clean, simple and 3Hz...what's not to like? Take care, Bill

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Thanks Bill The only watch I have with slower Hz. Is my older Datejust 2.75 Hz

[@watchartsci]

Wow Junior, I didn't think Rolex had anything under 4Hz. Great to know. Take care, Bill

[@jamesblonde2271]

Theresa black one with white lume too, thank God.

[@watchartsci]

Got what you like James? Take care, Bill

[@cedshred1676]

I like it quite a bit. Great size, cool movement, clean design. I’m curious about component sourcing and manufacturing. Chinese components are imported into Switzerland by the ton, given the weak legal rules about “Swiss made” labeling and “Made in Germany” labeling is apparently meaningless. The CEO of Moser stopped putting “Swiss made” on Moser watches as a small protest about mostly Chinese component watches being labeled “Swiss made.”

[@watchartsci]

Ced, do you know which parts are imported? Gear train or dials or what? Take care, Bill

[@cedshred1676]

@@watchartsci Hard to know exactly, but for the less expensive “Swiss” watches it’s likely everything but the movement. In theory, it could be every single thing other than probably the hairspring, since on an inexpensive watch that’s the most expensive part. Expensive Swiss labor has to do at least final assembly and regulation so it’s easy to get to 60% manufacturing cost for the labeling. Here’s just one snippet I found on Reuters but the link I had no longer works: “The manufacture of components including dials, sapphire glass and cases is flourishing in China, Thailand and Mauritius and many of these end up in watches designated as “Swiss-made”. “Since the Swiss-made rules were tightened [from 50% to 60%], we have fewer orders, not more,” said Alain Marietta of dialmaker Metalem, based in Swiss watchmaking hub Le Locle. “Some customers ask us to produce half of the components in China so we can be cheaper.” He [Swiss dial maker] said his own dial company was mainly producing in Mauritius, where salaries are much lower, but a technical bureau performing some operations in Switzerland meant the dials qualified as “Swiss made”. Several sources said almost all watch case makers now imported sapphire glass from Asia. Specialist companies have sprung up that offer brands the optimum product mix that will qualify for the “Swiss-made” tag.” Here are excerpts from an email discussion with a micro brand watch producer I bought from: “You are absolutely right, if you offer a watch below 1500 EUR most of the parts are manufactured in China. I am no exception there. There is no other chance for a microbrand and one man show for me to operate. . . Plus, on top to this unfortuantely CN/HK offers more flexibility to a microbrand like me. . . . And yes, most of the others do the same in this price segment. Not only Microbrands. Also famous brands but due to their heritage the majority of the people would not think about such a scenario. Swiss brands are no exception as well. Swiss Made means as much or less as Made in Germany.” I’ve got more sources if you’re interested I can send off-line, but the reality is most people simply don’t want to hear that their favorite “Swiss” watch is mostly Chinese.

[@alejandrokovacs5346]

Hello dear I really appreciated your channel and I learned a lot. I want to ask you where I can search this brand to buy one of this pieces . Regards from Doha Qatar

[@watchartsci]

Alejandro, just do a Google search for 'Lang 1943' ... that's what I did. Take care, Bill

[@shpickey]

Looks like a 6497 pocket watch copy

[@watchartsci]

Spider, first of all, the Unitas/ETA 6497 has the sub-dial at 9 o'clock. Second, the Marvin 700 movement is smaller than the 6497 ...Marvin/Lang43 = 29mm; Unitas/ETA =36mm- remember the 6497 was made for a pocket watch, and the Marvin 700 for a wristwatch. Take care, Bill

[@washingtonfootballfanwgil8392]

Hi Bill, Somehow, I thought you were going to introduce this as one of the many Lange's you have taught us about. I am awaiting delivery on a Weiss field watch that I ordered earlier this year. I thought I overpaid for it but, this Lange 1943 is twice as much. Do you know how many Vostok Amphibians I can buy with 3500 euros? 😂 Have a great day. 👍

[@watchartsci]

Hi Fan...it's clear that Weiss makes his own cases and plates, but what ébauche does he use? Very attractive watches, thought and the price is decent as well. Take care, Bill

[@stephen254]

Is the watch strap size 20mm? I did not see that written anywhere.

[@watchartsci]

Stephen, they should have it on the Lang 43 site. Take care, Bill

[@davidcrandall4958]

What's the price?

[@watchartsci]

David, go to .40 in the video ... it's right there for you! Take care, Bill

[@andrefreing8290]

hi I like it nice

[@watchartsci]

Hi Andre, I'm glad to hear you like it. Take care, Bill

[@lousyshot1]

wish we could learn more. $$$ for a microbrand....

[@watchartsci]

Lousy, what's keeping you from further explorations?! You can be the Neil Armstrong of horology! Take care, Bill

[@allancrotch2953]

At over 3x the price of my Timor ?

[@watchartsci]

So Allan, what's your Timor like? Take care, Bill

[@allancrotch2953]

@@watchartsci Only just found your site so not sure what spins your wheels .The Timor heritage is a re issue of a dirty dozen WWW with a sellita hand wind movnt and bead blast case sub secs ect as original spec.Iv subscribed and look forward to your posts

[@watchartsci]

@@allancrotch2953 The Lang 1943 looked like an interesting watch. Major interests for me is the whole essence of high quality watchmaking, but seeing 'Lang' caught my interest. Different Lang than what I was thinking initially: See these videos I did on a different Lang (no 'e' ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5-0koFtYpqVrs0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-kpmSQe9pol68 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6KWiXiuZsathdU Take care, Bill