After getting about half of them I realized the remaining watches were uber-rare and solid gold - too factors that mean "really expensive" and not likely purchases for me. So I threw in the towel.
But if you're inclined to give it a shot, here's what you need to find... up until now I had found all but three.
1948 Brandon with flexible lugs
1948 Langdon
1948 Nordon
1949 Brandon with fixed lugs
1949 Lange
1949 Norde
1950 Steeldon
1950 Vardon
1951 Beldon
1953 Haddon
1953 Kingdon
1953 Lyndon
1953 Reardon
1953 Sheldon
1953 Tildon
1954 Automatic K-200
1954 Automatic K-300
1954 Automatic K-400
1955 Croydon
I have seen K-200's for sale but haven't landed one personally. So I know they are out there. I have never seen a Tildon for sale. Sometimes you'll see the 1951 Scott mistakenly identified as a Tildon, but it remains elusive.
I did finally land a Lange recently. I think over the past 5 or 6 years I have seen maybe four Langes - so they're surprisingly uncommon.
The Lange was introduced in 1949 and produced through 1952. It looks identical to the 1948 Langdon but it's solid 14K gold and not 14K gold filled.
Tucked inside the Lange is an 8/0 sized 747 movement. Two dial options were available; a butler finished AGN dial or a luminous dial. Sometimes the dial says CLD and sometimes not.
My project watch arrived in typical beater fashion but I jumped at the chance to buy it and I was surprised that I wasn't out-sniped. This is a VERY hard model to find and if you don't agree, as they say on Antiques Roadshow, "try to find another".
The Lange case is virtually identical to the Langdon - which is easy find - so you have to look closely to see whether it's solid gold or gold filled.
No denying this is a Lange.
The dial is very grungy but I'd give myself a 50:50 chance that it will clean up nicely. You never know until you try and I know I can get it redone to look like new if I screw up.
Well, if the outside of the case didn't convince you this is a Lange, then the inside of the case sure should... the name is right inside.
I wonder if I sent this watch to Quantico if the FBI could tell me the original owner, as there's a big ol' fingerprint on the ratchet wheel. The movement is dirty but I'm sure it will clean up nicely.
Everything cleaned up nicely except the dial. The grime wouldn't budge so I will have to send it out to be redone.
Initially running a little fast, a quick adjustment to the regulator slowed the watch down to 3 seconds fast per day. Amplitude is well above 200 and the beat error is on the higher side of acceptable.
A new crystal and vintage croc strap do a lot to improve the looks of this watch but no lipstick will make this pig-dial pretty. Once the dial is refinished this watch will look awesome. So be sure to check out this post in a month or so for an update.
UPDATE: Jan 19, 2016
Here's a photo of the Lange with a refinished dial... a huge improvement I think. With the vintage croc strap this watch looks like it's brand new!
Dan, just want to take the first day of the New Year to wish you the best and to thank you for your blog and its considerable contribution to the Hamilton horological community.
ReplyDeleteYou know that you have made a huge impact on the hobby when sellers quote and link to this site. Thank you again for your contribution...DbH
Thanks - it's a labor of love. I walk in the footsteps of others who are equally generous with sharing their knowledge. I'm just a paying it forward.
ReplyDeleteHi HandyDan!
ReplyDeleteI think I have a 1952 Lange. Could you help me confirm this identification and maybe with appraisal??
It's rather easy to identify - if it looks like the above and says 14K Gold then it's a Lange. If it doesn't say 14K Gold then it's a Langdon. I don't do appraisals but a nice Lange is a $500+ watch in my opinion, maybe more if it's super-nice. Less if it's in need of restoration, like what I started with.
DeleteThanks for your reply! It says 10k not 14. Must be the other one. It's actually in good condition as its been restored. Original face and hands. :)
ReplyDeleteDan I'm learning to do service but Iv not there yet. Do you service any other brands?
ReplyDeleteSometimes... I've done several other brands but you often need mainsprings, stems or even screws and I don't have a hoard of parts like I do for Hamiltons. I chose to focus only on one brand and why not make it the best one? Ha ha! Good luck with the learning curve, you'll get there!
ReplyDeleteDan, I have a Lange and on the back it has an inscription. The watch was given for a "Quarter Century" of service and says "1922." It works, the second hand dial is running now, and I have the original faux ivory case it came in and the green box the case was in. First, is it possible the watch is from 1922 and two, do the case and box add any value to it?
ReplyDelete25 plus 1922 is 1947, perfect timing for a Lange. If it has the blue box and the celluloid box and the blue box has matching numbers for the case and movement, that would add value to a collector. How much? Beats me... may $75 to $100. It really depends on overall condition. The Lange is an uncommon model, probably 1 for every 50 Langdons (perhaps more)
Delete