Lange 1815 Chronograph Review: Not for me

www.alange-soehne.com/us-en/t...
Thanks for watching! Timestamps are below to help orient you through the video. Below is also a link to my Instagram in case any of you like to see watch pictures here and there.
0:00-0:15 Intro
0:15-0:49 Dimensions & Specifications
0:49-4:09 The Dial
4:09-4:52 Natural Light
4:52-7:08 Macro Dial
7:08-12:40 The Case
12:40-14:55 Movement Macro
14:55-16:32 How It Wears
16:32-19:49 Other Straps
19:49-21:23 Pros
21:23-26:10 Cons
26:10-29:31 Final Thoughts
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[@drewski5150]

The fact that the $1k Farer dial looked better under macro than the $80k ALS is pretty remarkable. The standout feature for a watch of this, ahem, calibre shouldn't just be the caseback. As stunning as that movement is. Also, what is it with German watchmakers and funky lugs?!

[@theknightswatch]

Ya pretty crazy that’s sometimes you aren’t fully getting what you pay for with luxury! I’m sure 90% of Lange customers aren’t taking loupes to the front of their watches though. Not to say that makes it better 😂

[@gclip9883]

Honestly, I don't understand how this could happen. I have seen numerous A Lange & Söhne watches under magnification (way closer than this video) and they are always absolutely perfect. Not a single scratch or dust particle and with a flawless mirror finish. Something is seriously wrong with this particular piece.

[@your9mare]

The money is on the movement. You paid for ALS in house L951 with 11.4mm case thin chronograph with flyback that I challenge any watch maker can beat that, instead of ubiquitous SW510 13.4mm case thickness that you can not make it thinner. I know Farer claim the case itself without dome is only 11.5mm, but dome bezel is part of watch, while ALS managed to designed 4 layer dial face 3D architecture and still maintain 11.4mm height include the bezel. I know Bretling also does that multi layer dial but its 15mm high. You also paid for full gold dial surface and casebook decoration. My estimation is $10000/mm, then add another for precious mental and for each niche feature like flyback, so $50K is ALS value, I am not nto chronograph because of its bulkiness, but 1815 is the only few I can make exception due to its thin classic design even with such magnified blemish.

[@samsvidrepo5930]

@@gclip9883 I can almost guarantee this was aftermarket serviced and that's where it picked up the imperfections.

[@AndrewIsbell]

I love your Movement Macro shots. I love how you pressed the pushers during this part of the video. Thank you for showing that to us

[@jully1993]

Simply the greatest reviews on KZbin. Keep it up!

[@theknightswatch]

Too kind but thank you. I’ll do my best 🙏🏻

[@patrickhartmann1540]

I love A. Lange & Sohne , but I appreciate you didn’t give the watch a pass just because it’s an A Lange & Sohne!

[@theknightswatch]

Same here! And yep nothing gets a free pass 😂

[@aaat2011]

Great analysis and very thoughtful, not simply restating what everyone else says. I personally love this watch, but I’m a Lange fan, have owned multiple Lange watches, and will own this one someday too. But I can appreciate the originality of your opinions, and understand why this watch isn’t for you. Thanks for the video!

[@theknightswatch]

And thank you for watching and the thoughtful comment. I hope to own Lange one day but they aren’t for everybody! And not everything is perfect haha

[@kevinhan721]

I love the candid criticism it's def fresh where every body just always praise about the watch all the time!! Subscribed 👍

[@theknightswatch]

Appreciate it! Glad it comes through as just a little criticism and not bashing or anything like that.

[@deb2159]

Great thorough review! Agreed on the pricing "con" - inexcusable for Lange to double the price in such a short time-frame. I think the increases are going to bite them in the ass soon (as the entire watch market goes through a cooling phase). Would love to see a review of the Lange 1 Moonphase.

[@terminalarray1047]

Great review. This is the 2nd Lange you've reviewed that had a surprising number of quality control issues on the front dial hands. Very disappointing.

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you and yep I don’t disagree with ya!

[@terminalarray1047]

@@theknightswatch Np. Keep up the great work.

[@cdefgah4242]

18:51 does anyone know where to buy this black rubber nato strap?

[@michaelfierman3256]

So it’s interesting you brought up the Canopus Speedys at the end. The white gold one does seem to have a dial that’s more engaging. And half the price. Granted a closer comp might be the black onyx dial 57 in white gold with the 321 : Same price as this. But in the end it’s all about the beauty and complexity of these Lange movements that are mesmerizing, so I really appreciated the episode today as always Xavier. And yes, I’d spend 80K in a different way ( should I get 80K that is )

[@theknightswatch]

Just is hard to think about other high end chronos in this price! And I didn’t even know an onyx 321 existed. Speedmasters at that price don’t appeal to me as I also don’t have 80k to spend 😂. It’s always hard to quantify if luxury is worth it. If I’m a billionaire would I care as much between a 50k speedy and an 80k Lange. Probably not, but I guess the lack of that luxury makes me a little confused about luxury in general! Thanks for watching Michael!

[@antonbayda2571]

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you for watching! I’ll try my best

[@chia-mingyang5804]

For this price I would rather to pick the Lang and Heyne Albert.

[@josephknecht4272]

The Albert is a masterpiece of horological art and engineering: the finest monopusher chronograph in existence. Its only weakness is its 44mm case size.

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

I definitely need to check one out in person. I appreciate your honesty man 👏

[@theknightswatch]

Try and make your way down to south coast plaza one of these days. Friendly people over there

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

@@theknightswatch I always feel intimidated to walk in 😂

[@theknightswatch]

@@SoCalWatchReviews haha super nice people there no need to be!

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

@@theknightswatch 👍🏼

[@walterphoenix8045]

That Branch watch (not sure if it's called Branch exactly!) looks very interesting, will you review it? I couldn't see it in your videos, I may have missed it. Anyway I don't mean to take the focus off the lovely Lange! But when you flipped your wrist I thought ooh... Thanks!!

[@theknightswatch]

Yep I think it’s officially branch horology or at least that’s what the website says. Microbrand based out of Canada. Hopefully have this review out in the next week or two. Really good piece.

[@Nordic_Sky]

Good review. I was thinking about buying this watch. Now I'm reconsidering.

[@theknightswatch]

Lots of stuff out there! But does get hard when you want to go independent or someone that’s perceived as prestigious as this brand

[@Niimoyar]

Nice Video! What is your wrist size and width? I think sizewise this ALS suits u very well

[@dantoddd]

Have you compared this to the Patek 5170. People keep comparing the two all the time

[@theknightswatch]

Never had hands on with that patek, from a Quick Look nothing about the patek grabs be but I’m like that with most pateks. They feel to me almost too understated and sterile luxury. Haven’t been impressed by any patek I’ve had hands on with but to be fair I haven’t handled them all!

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

Nice review. Thank you.

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you for watching 🙏🏻 hope I didn’t trample on the love for Lange too much haha

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

@@theknightswatch 🤣I always say: you are the master of your own experience 👊

[@bobsmith3106]

Well, you have quite a friend. I have never seen anyone wearing ALS anywhere. I have never even seen one outside of a YT video.

[@theknightswatch]

Haha some cool guys I know for sure. I’ve seen Lange in the wild maybe once or twice. Definitely rare

[@pp_doc3962]

Great video as always. How do I send picture to you want to ask your opinion on stap options. Thank you. 🙏

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you! And can send an email over to [e-mail]

[@johnzzxzhang]

Thanks for the review. Is it possible the scratches you see are from unauthorized services?

[@theknightswatch]

Unfortunately not as the watch was never taken to service and was purchased from a boutique.

[@Nefville]

That's my favorite Lange especially since they got rid of the original Datograph. I'll take every flaw on the dial for half of that caseback, my god what a movement. I never understood why this one didn't gain the following of the Datograph. I know they actually test the feel of the pushers before sending the watch out so ideally it should be perfect new, and iirc its a lateral clutch, it probably changes feel as it gets more use. I'll come up with a million excuses for this watch. *I laughed so hard at the juxtaposition when you put it on that torn pink rubber strap, that made my morning, thanks!

[@theknightswatch]

Haha glad I could give out a little chuckle. It’s a lovely watch for sure. If I had to pick something from the Lange catalogue it would probably be the Saxonia thin copper blue or the zeitwerk. Chronographs have always been a tough one for me to fully enjoy.

[@standardh_]

I think it’s because the Dato came 5 years earlier and is a more complicated movement/watch. It also has the iconic outsized date which makes it far more of a “daily” watch whereas the 1815 is effectively a stripped down Dato movement and a pure chronograph. To your point, however, I do prefer the smaller sized pieces so it’s tough it’s now a 41mm. The Dato does wear smaller on wrist imho. 😉

[@Anonymous-wo4zu]

Really like the strap on the watch you’re wearing! Where is it from?

[@theknightswatch]

Thanks it’s the delugs babele strap

[@Hardjoe888]

Appreciate the macro shots and actuation of the chronograph well done. Go with a pink strap. lol 🎉

[@josephknecht4272]

Excellent review. Your pros and cons are spot-on!

[@theknightswatch]

Appreciate it 🙏🏻 glad I made sense 😂

[@jorgecgonzalez9976]

Bad Ass watch if you ask me. the movement is sick

[@f0o0rest]

What's in your opinion since uve handled so many watches. The best brand/watch under 1k USD value for money. I'm talking build quality not ascetics.

[@theknightswatch]

For me Christopher ward is almost impossible to beat at that price. But of course some of their pieces inch above 1000 but are worth it, especially if you just wait for used for example. Traska does really good. Islander watch is good but specifically their northport diver. Nodus is good if you like their designs. And frankly some of the Seiko presage range still holds up amazingly

[@nabila1327]

Surprised by the blemishes on the hands. This one and the Moser review have revealed surprising deficiencies. Wonder how common this is for these brands. As for the watch, the lugs are just a no for me. It’s way to A4.

[@theknightswatch]

Same here. Nothing is perfect in the world! But this is a little further from perfect than I would expect 😂

[@chia-mingyang5804]

In my experience this is indeed common, even for very high-end watches. Watchmakers just usually don't work with microscope or high magnification loupe; and also not in dust-free rooms.

[@theknightswatch]

@@chia-mingyang5804 seems odd to me

[@pedramfirooztash8452]

A great analysis….well done. The imperfections on the hands are simply unacceptable in this price bracket. I love the movement but the dial work is a little inferior in my opinion.

[@theknightswatch]

Don’t disagree but it is rare for a watch to have no imperfections. Funnily it’s some of the cheaper watches that have the least issues 😂

[@jeffreygoss8109]

I love the various straps, except the pink-looks like a stick of bubble gum 😂

[@theknightswatch]

Can’t hate on bubble gum 😂

[@Everbrooks]

A watch that costs 78K should not have imperfections on the dial, period.

[@chia-mingyang5804]

Even 200k you will still find some flaws trust me.

[@JJ-rr7pc]

Not everyone can have great taste and that’s totally OK!

[@theknightswatch]

Thank you friend

[@misteratoz]

Really shows that high horology can be such a scam. You pay for finishing and the one here is actually lacking.

[@theknightswatch]

It is sometimes difficult to justify but some don’t need to justify 😂

[@misteratoz]

@@theknightswatch it hurts because the 1815 was my end game for so long... Seeing this little care put into spoils it for me. I'll probably end up with an omega instead.

[@bifeldman]

Not to worry. You’re not going to be bothered to own this watch. .

[@JJ-rr7pc]

The prices you are quoted are not quite right, nor is your math correct.

[@theknightswatch]

What math 😂 Lange doesn’t post prices anymore and they seem to have a price rise pretty frequently so of course price isn’t static

[@runcoweezrun8143]

No Watch is 100% Accurate. Therefore, No Watch on is worth more than $500 and on sale, 2 for $500.