Why Glashütte Original Is NOT A Poor Man's Lange
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- It's the "Tudor is the poor man's Rolex" argument all over again.... and no, it's not! It may actually be the best value in German High Horology (and beyond?).
TIMESTAMPS BELOW:
00:38 Similarities
02:49 Value
06:16 Innovation
09:34 Design
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I’ve been telling people this for years! I couldn’t agree more. Although a Lange as a whole has better finishing from top to bottom, GO offers many things that A Lange doesn’t. It is also better value and their designs stand on their own.
We are GO evangelists!
Super cool exposition!
I am a big fan of GO, which I find has a distinct personality from A.L&S, though obviously influenced by the same saxonian design. I just wish that some of their models would be a tad smaller (38-39mm) and thinner, especially in the Pano and Senator ranges. Otherwise, it's hard to argue about the amount of watch you get for the money. They're priced around the same level as JLC, but I feel that the level of finishing is one notch up. And I am pretty convinced that the SeaQ in Reed Green will be my next watch.
The Germans don't seem to do small and thin very well indeed lol... I was gonna say EXCEPT the 39.5mm SeaQ and that's the one you and me both are considering... There was also a Senator Navigator that was 38mm and 9mm thin with the same movement as the SeaQ (but with the gold rotor mass).
Couldn’t agree more…ALS can do small and thin and that’s why it’s more expensive and better but boring from a design perspective
Excellent video! Thank for making this and educating collectors. Glashutte Original is one of the finest German watchmakers. For me I would say Lange uses more hand finishing in their movement components. Glashuute Original does use hand finishing on their movement components, but I would say there is more of a mix of machine and hand finishing. Simply glorious in the world of Haute Horlogerie.
Thank you, yes it's that hand finishing that gets expensive... so expensive that ALS builds their movements TWICE and only finishes them before building them the 2nd time. I'm sure GO can finish the movements to the same standard if they wanted, but by using a mix of finishing, they can offer such value that it doesn't feel like "cost cutting" to me.
@@TOKKANTE Absolutely Glashutte Orginal do not cut costs and I love the no expense spared attitude they have at Glashutte Original.
That Senator Alarm is simply perfect in my eyes, there are other mechanical alarms out there. However their design are either too busy or copies or others, this GO stands by itself. Thanks again B, great share and talking heads.
I like it even more than a Memovox alarm from a technical perspective (the JLC has the history though), but that GO is NOT cheap even on the pre-owned market and now discontinued....
0:59. They are definitively doing their own thing. I love the quirkiness and creativity.
A bit more playful than Lange yes!
I love Glashutte Original watches and agree, they build luxury watches. Their blue dials are absolutely beautiful. Agree that they bring a lot of value in the high-horologie
They just need a few more sportier watches (since that's what the market wants) and they'll get the recognition that they deserve!
You're just perfect talking about GO. I cannot go into details as you do, just want to say i love GO.
I know both brands very well and the design of GO appeals to me more. In addition, Lange only builds watches in gold and platinum. But what is true, A. Lange has the best finishing on the market, better than PP or AP.
ps. Yes, the odysseus is also available in steel
Odysseus available in steel... for gold money!
I LOVE my GO pieces. I have TWO near vintage GO Sport Evolution Sport GMT, and both with a Pano Date. I refer to my GOs as my Rolex Master GMT II killers. Lastly, and IMHO, GO does a Pano BIG Date a whole lot better than ALS. Great vid - TYVM.
Glashutte original panomatic lunar 😍😍😍
Hi Ben and fellow enthusiasts, I found this hugely enjoyable. GO produce excellent watches, but I struggle with the concept of them being a "poor man's" anything! Good value, I agree, and I would choose them over ALS... but both are out of my reach!
That's true, "poor man" is a relative concept in the world of watch collectors... the good thing is that quite a few GO can be had at very good prices (does not mean they're all cheap!) on the pre-owned market. This used to be true of ALS too but they've been creeping up more and more lately, which makes GO even more of a value proposition.
Excellent video about two of my favorite brands! Very helpful comparison
Totally agree!! They knock everything out of the ballpark!! German ingenuity rules!!!
And they don't even brag about it!
I agree with your thoughts and opinions and the hand finishing on Glashutte Original cases with the beveling and exquisite surfaces and their dials is world class in the fine art of German watchmaking. Glashutte Original certainly do offer value, but are by no means affordable like many people may think. I would say their level of craftsmanship would more likely be a lot higher if they were swiss made. Big mark up just to say swiss made haha. Glashutte Original are also quite unique as a watchmaker because every model is rare to some extent. Some timepieces are more rare than others like the limited editions, but all have some level of rarity. Unlike other watchmakers that have mass produced models. They pride themselves in their exclusivity.
Yes they're by no means entry level that's for sure but they do offer good value for what one is paying (assuming one can afford it). What do you mean by the craftsmanship would be a lot higher if they were Swiss made?? Did you mean the PRICE would be a lot higher? Because that, I believe!
Yes I mean the price would be
Just found this channel and really enjoyed this discussion. May you prosper! Recently received a GO catalogue/book in the mail and what a joy it is. German high horology for using rather than just admiring. Same with my blue Tudor BB58, a GOOD watch to use and enjoy, not for "showing off". A GO Panomatic is a watch worth saving for - special and desirable in its own right, needs to make no apologies for "not being something else".
Thanks for watching! Do I detect a hint of a trekkie? "Live long and prosper and buy a lot of watches!" Hopefully GO will not become over hyped like many others and remain somewhat of a connoisseur secret that we can realistically save for.
@@TOKKANTE Trekkie? :) Lots of watches? "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"! Quite so with GO. I think it is the watch where you look at your wrist and you know. I prefer that. Where with a Rolex someone else looks at your wrist and they just think they do. Subscribed!
@@chrisgrieves1468 hehe thanks for the sub!
most underrated watch brand. Made almost every parts in house similar with Rolex, seiko and RM
Glashutte original is league's above rolex lol
Indeed even though they sit on different levels, at least Seiko, Rolex and GO are almost entirely in-house mannufactures, unlike RM which also uses 3rd party movement suppliers like Vaucher.
I own the GO Sea Q Pan Date in blue on a canvas strap with clasp. It is now a year old and its +0.5 fast every 24 hours. Astonishing. On the bracelet its an elelgant desk diver, on canvas its a down and dirty tool piece. I owned a Sub, I loved it, still do. However GO is just another level completetly and a true and usable diver. I use it as such and its happiest being used this way....for me.
I also hear that prices on the pre-owned market for GO SeaQ are starting to go up, so it seems that people are noticing!!
Just bought seventies chronograph in blue on a rubber strap. My god do I love to! Superb quality, fit, finish and wrist presence. I have 2 Rolex but they get a bit boring after some time. Open back case on GO is a treat and I find myself looking at the movement quite often. If you are into high horology this is the biggest bargain in the market for 13k. Note that is a special order and you will have to wait, I waited 4 months for mine.
Wow congrats, that's a special piece! Did you get it with the updated movement with 70 hours of power reserve then? I think GO must be working behind the scene to update all their movements to 70 hr PR. Then people can't stop complaining about their meager 40 hr of PR hahaha.
Wonderful review and comparison between GO and L&S, thank you.
About to dive into GO after tasting Sinn, Muhle Glashutte, and MeisterSinger.
I can’t find the dial color of the PanoMaticLuna you show at 2:40 anywhere else. Is it an up and coming dial color or something no longer available from GO?
Haaaa... that's my favorite dial too, but it was a 2019 limited edition of 50 pieces only worldwide! Salmon dials from GO are actually rare (as they are meant to be) while so many other brands have done too many salmon dials lately to the point that they're almost no longer special. Check it out: monochrome-watches.com/glashutte-original-panomaticlunar-with-rose-salmon-opaline-dial-and-steel-case/
Great brand, deserves more love. The only thing missing IMO in order to break through to the next level is a really great sports watch. Current offerings like the SeaQ just don't do the job.
Well stated! GO makes a wide variety of great watches, many of which are unique. I wish they would bring back the Panograph in steel.
Great video. I have a SeaQ panorama date. It is superb. I can wear it anywhere, doing anything. It keeps time within +0.3 sec/day. For a dive watch, the movement visible through the caseback is gorgeous.
Its elegant yet rugged.
I'm sold on the brand and would like to get one of the more complicated pieces one day.
But I think the SeaQ will be my go to daily wearer for a very long time.
Do you wear it on the bracelet or on the strap? I love it but am concerned by how big/thick it wears on my wrist. Someone advised me to wear it on the nylon strap and that it makes it wear smaller and more comfortable.
@@TOKKANTE I have both the rubber and sailcloth straps. While they are both quite comfortable, I like the looks of the sailcloth more.
I wouldn't mind trying the bracelet but the high cost and polished center links have kept me away.
@@cyriloblouk6405 You're the 2nd person to tell me the sailcloth is actually comfortable. I was afraid it'd be rough but it looks like a good option. It's also washable according to the GO CEO (saw the video announcement of the forest green version and he said he's been wearing it on the sailcloth for 2 years and washed it).
But with SS bracelet it is another story !!
Really good overview of the brand. Very helpful as I consider buying my first GO.
Thanks for watching it! I've been moaning that the SeaQ 39.5mm didn't come on a see-through caseback and what do you know, they've just released the rose gold version with one! I think it'll come on the stainless steel version soon enough (by Xmas?) with possibly a better power reserve too (they've been upgrading the Seventies chronos etc. to 70 hrs). That will make it my first GO!
I find the Panorama line to be really compelling, but I don't think that I'll be wanting another dress watch... The senator line is worth checking out. I bet we'll be seeing more silicon hairsprings in the future too.
That's the thing for me too... I really love the designs and many dress watches IN THEORY but in practice I have literally no opportunity to really rock a dress watch in my life now, especially with my new job working from home for a startup... it's casual all the way! I know you can kinda dress them down on a nylon strap but it would still not really be something I'd wear often. Yes on the Senator Excellence with the lumed dial (that one could work for more casual wear i think)!
Both are great watch brands.. As is German watchmaking. . Underrated by some to their peril. Great video again ben
Yes, I just read today Fratello Watches' latest article on the new release of the blue PanoReserve on nylon strap and of course comparing to the almost 4x more expensive Lange 1. I like the more casual look on nylon!
Thanks for your review. This give me a thought of future acquisition.
GO is well worth exploring, there are many other models I did not mention e.g. the excellent Senator Excellence.
I view GO as an upgrade from Rolex. Purchased my first Glashutte Original SeaQ 39.5 mm with blue dial and fully brushed bracelet. I chose it over a Rolex because it has a fully in-house movement and the finishing was on a much higher level and it does not attract attention. No one knows what it is until they are very close. Then, it attracts attention. It is my daily wear watch now. It keeps better time all six positions compared to my GMT Master 2. I moved away from purchasing any version of current ETA or Sellita movements due to quality control issues - learned from personal experience. I imagine once the quality control issues become more widely experienced, watch purchasers will either go to in-house movements, quartz watches, or iphones/smart watches.
I adore GO ❤️ Lange is arguably my favorite horology house, but having said that, GO has a wider array of offerings to better suit my personal style - what I think is phenomenal about GO is that they can match and exceed a lot of what other high horology houses do in terms of engineering and finish in the 10-15k price range, but are perfectly capable of matching Lange at the top end of their offerings - the retrograph can trade blows with the best from the holy trinity 👍
True, it's just that at the super high end, GO cannot compete in terms of brand prestige so most, including myself, would pick Lange then. But in the 10-15K range as you sad, they're (one of) the best out there!
@@TOKKANTE I honestly think that the Senator chronometer can stand up to a lot of the truly high horology offerings from the top tier houses, even at a much higher price point - personally, at this stage of my journey, the one grail Lange I would love to own is the 1815 flyback chronograph - everything else, though astounding in quality and desirability, I just would never have the chance to wear given my lifestyle (that and I’d be too paranoid to wear a Richard Lange Tourbillon around 😂)
@@dnlmoretti True, there are pieces that I am glad exist but would I even dare to wear them? They'd probably bring me more anxiety than satisfaction... I am content to admire them from afar!
Great video, thank you!
You're welcome! Now go watch Teddy Baldassarre's video on the PanoMaticLunar (I swear we did not speak to each other lol).
The other thing to note is you can buy a new GO, whereas Lange is hard to buy and many models they only sell to existing clients.
Double post = double engagement!
Great video. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
You just open my eyes to this brand
Oh then there's a lot more to discover on GO. Go watch Teddy Baldassarre's latest video on the GO PanoMaticLunar, it's like we think alike...
Agreed - a very innovative brand that goes under the radar. The German JLC, whose quality and innovation looks to be edging La Grande Maison. My criticism with GOs tends to be size. For my taste, most models could lose a couple of mm.
Yes they could lose a few in thickness and diameter... JLC by the way created the Big Date mechanism for Lange and gave it to them before the relaunch, so there's a bit of JLC in ALS!
@@TOKKANTE Ah, I never knew that. As I get slightly more mature I'm beginning to see the value in Big Dates! Glad to find your channel, BTW. Smart content, thanks!
I love GO and L&S , great video, thanks
I feel GO is achievable, while ALS is still grail level for me... maybe when I turn 50 or smthing!
@@TOKKANTE Thanks for getting back 👍
I’m thinking of getting the black Arabic numerals Senator 100 hours with the 36 movement. Perfect time only watch.
Great modern movement and I wish they could fit that in the SeaQ. I also prefer no date watches and this one should have a good lume, what's not to like?!
@@TOKKANTE but absolutely no one talks about it for some reason! Why??
@@nomanor7987 They don't even know about it....It's not like GO is pushing it in advertising either...
It is an exquisite and charming work of art with glorious hand finishing inside and out. Quite a rare timepiece as well. Few are crafted and not many people know about the Senator Excellence.
The difference between the go and the bp sport watches is that the 1315 in the bp has anglage, mirroring and black polishing made by hand. The only part of go hand finished is the engraving on the balance cock… my bp also has a handcrafted dial… bp still is superior to me but go is a stunning watch brand ❤
Tim mosso will confirm you this… he loves the 1315…
Panomaticlunar is the definition of close but no cigar, bad dial color choice and cheap looking circular finishing on the time side, GO should've just copy lange 1 color choice😅
Good video
I think that they should brand themselves as a younger sports man German Haute horology rather than value driven by start increasing water resistance in every single model inclusive of their dressy senator line. This provides a one watch solution for people who wants to go straight into haute horology.
As with many German brands, branding is not their strongest points indeed (unrelated to the quality). If they marketed themselves differently, they'd suddenly become the obvious choice!
Call me shallow but I find it just a bit too close to a Lange right now. What I mean is brands like Blancpain have 50 fathoms, JLC have Reversos & IWC have pilots watch. I'm not seeing a distinctive offering from GO right now and I hope that they can steer away from Lange because their quality are just spectacular.
@@vintagedigital108 Well they do have the SeaQ which is part of their brand history (1969), is uniquely GO, and is very different to anything Lange offers. Lange doesn't have a dive watch and doesn't even really make sports watches except maybe only the Odysseus if you can call it a sports watch...
Senator limited ala Benzinger is fabulous. I would personally choose a full fledge bespoke Jochen Benzinger 😉
I saw why get one when you can get both? haha, if only...
Panoinverse is insane cool
And you get to see that beautiful engraved bridge without turning the watch around! Love it, but my colleague sold it though...
The cosmopolite is another great complication GO makes that no one else can match.
Yes!! I was thinking of mentioning that one too but the video was already getting long and I left it out. I can always come back to GO later!
Exzellent!
You mean GO or the video? LOL, thanks for watching!
@@TOKKANTE actually both :)
agree!
Whenever I've seen a man wearing a Glashutte Original, they were NEVER poor.
or you count down "99 beers on the wall"
Hahaha, that might actually help as you start to lose count! Just make sure you don't pass out or you may wake up with "one less GO on the wrist"
I've seen the prices mate; they are not a poor man's anything, they are expensive, very expensive
Senator Chronometer Tourbillon - Limited Edition, £132,900,
You've gone for the extreme here with the Tourb! For sure, they're still expensive (to me as well), but I heard many times even from colleagues: "skip GO, it's just a cheap Lange, just save and go for Lange directly"...
@@TOKKANTE
You seem to miss the point here friend, I hear watch sellers/collectors talk about ten grand here, twelve grand there as if it is pocket money, most people will never see a £500 watch on their arm let alone a £5000 watch, they have better things to do with that money Like kids' education, mortgages, medical fees, family holidays.
Ninety percent of the worlds people have never heard of these watch manufacturers, they wouldn't know a tourbillon from a tumble dryer or care, so when you say affordable? you need to lower your sights quite a bit and I mean quite a bit. £150 for a watch is a lot to the average man in the street,
Regards, Be well and safe.
@@robertkirk4387 Oh i'm with you on all of this; "affordable" is quite a relative term in the parallel universe of watch collectors!
Fully agree with the “poor man’s” comments are BS. This is the sort of comment snobs make to bring others down just because they want value for money. These snobs are money & status obsessed kudos collectors, not true watch enthusiasts.
What annoys me is those won't even try to make the effort to understand. They see the name on the dial and they switch off immediately, like: not a Lange = not worth my time.
@@TOKKANTE that’s because to these people watches a just a prop to signal social status. To them, it’s about putting other people down to lift themselves up. The best thing to do is simply ignore these people, they’re not worth your time.
Tim Mossi said the best chronograph… lol what’s that for a statement … he is not even a watch maker. That GO chronograph is good … but the best ?
Hahaha, well he's going to watchmaking school right now from what I understand. I think he meant this in terms of the complication, given that there's a triple chime in it too (no other does that), but the BEST chrono regardless of price, then that's still the A.Lange & Sohne Datograph!
10k and over is hardly any poor man watch.... Even this is much higher quality than Tudor to Rolex, which also trying to shake off the tag of a poor man rolex.
Indeed, not a poor man's watch by MY standards either, but I guess that's still the perception for many, just like the Tudor/Rolex comparison. But I think you need to look for GO on the pre-owned market or even via grey dealers or big discounts at ADs, then it makes more sense. For example the PanoReserve at grey dealers here in HK goes for about USD6.6K brand new, which is 35%+ off retail and then it starts making a lot more sense!
First reason: a poor man cannot buy a haute horologist watch.
That would be the only necessary reason indeed! But for Lange and Patek owners, maybe these GO owners are still considered poor haha (just kidding, I know people who love both!)
I'll say one things, they are amazing but 42 hour power reserve, really , Really????
They are updating some of those older movements to 70 hours now, they've finally realized that this needed to be addressed. Of course there's always the 100 hours PR but now even the older one are being updated. The Seventies Chrono now has 70 hours PR and I am waiting for the SeaQ 39.5mm to finally get 70 hours, I bet it is coming soon!
@@TOKKANTE I really hope so..10k plus for 42 hours is crazy . Dunno about seaq, they have 3 watches that stand out its either the panoinverse, 70s chrono or the perpetual calendar . They all have a distinct look that no1 will mix with anything . If u want a sports watch I would go with zenith defy collection , best bang for buck )
I am huge fan of GO but quit with what Mosso said since be is a salesman and his words are mainly to convince people to buy so take it with grain of salt
by far superior than Rolex, Omega and IWC. Comparable with Zenith, JLC and Breguet.
Wow i wish i was poor enough to own a Glashütte
Go ahead, it's ok, just don't tell your watch snob friends...
"Glashütte Original" might be the worst name possible for a watch company.
It’s actually a pretty slick name in German.
It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, I'll give you that, but I don't think it's the worst out there! This one actually means something too, with the "Original" having a historical origin as to why it was added.
For people who can’t pronounce it haha. I believe it is a glorious name with prestige and a lovely story behind it.
Great brand, deserves more love. The only thing missing IMO in order to break through to the next level is a really great sports watch. Current offerings like the SeaQ just don't do the job.
Most (if not all) high-end luxury German brands have a problem with "a great sports watch"... The Sinn and Muhle and Damasko of this world do great sports watches, but ALS, GO, Moritz Grossman etc. are best at dress and complications. I personally like the SeaQ 39.5mm, but I want a few updates on it like brushed bracelet, improved power reserve and an open caseback on the SS version (now they do it on the rose gold version, so I bet it is coming!!)