Glashütte Original is not the poor man's Lange, but it is actually the historical Lange. A. Lange & Söhne was founded in 1845 in Glashütte, which is in the state of Saxony. After World War II there was Soviet occupation in the east and subsequently the GDR (German: "DDR") was founded, the communist East Germany. The GDR collectivized, as communists do, all Glashütte watch manufacturers into the VEB GUB. During the Cold War, the GUB continued to make watches, some rather low-end, some more high-end and everything in between. Now when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and Germany was reunified in 1990 all those socialist collectives were disbanded and privatized. The GUB became a GmbH (essentially a Ltd.). This company owns and makes the brands Glashütte Original (basically all-inhouse) and Union Glashütte (ETA-based) and was bought by Swatch Group in 2000. However, GO remains largely independent. So the company that was the original A. Lange & Söhne, combined with several others, historically became Glashütte Original. The modern A. Lange & Söhne was founded in 1990 by the great-grandson of Adolph Lange and the LMH Holding, which already owned IWC, Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre. LMV went to Richemont in 2001. By the way, I think Lange's big date is actually a JLC design.
Interessante Argumentation..Weil alle Uhrenmarken aus Glashütte als GUB zwangskollektiviert wurden, ist jetzt GO (die ja in der Form auch nicht existiert haben) jetzt der wirkliche A. Lange Nachfolger...?? A. Lange mag ja in GUB zwangsweise einverleibt worden sein, hat doch aber als eigenständige Marke der Haute Horlogerie garnicht mehr in der DDR existiert. Wieso ist dann GO, die aus den Resten der GUB geschaffen wurden, dann die "wahre" Firma A.Lange? Wurde A. Lange neu bzw wieder gegründet oder einfach aus GUB herausgekauft?
@Tony Hill A.Lange was forced to become a part of the later GUB and was dissolved as a company of the haute horlogerie. So GUB has nothing to do with the tradition of A. Lange, it was just some sort of an umbrella company for all Glashütte watch companies which all lost their independence and their names. So GUB represents no historical continuation of A. Lange.
@Tony Hill It was a member of the Lange Family not someone with a smart idea to use a traditional name. And yes, GUB produced watches. Not better or worse than other companies. Labour costs were low in the GDR and of course they still had the knowledge to produce watches. Because no other watch companies were allowed in the GDR who else should have produced these watches?
@Tony Hill When your company is dissolved you can't continue any history. And the "new" A. Lange Company is deeply connected with the traditions of the former company. They use traditional features, designs and inventions of the family. The GUB did nothing to keep up these traditions. They concentrated on cheap mass produced watches. And again A. Lange did not disappear or went bancrupt. They were dissolved. Walter Lange had to (re-)purchase the name rights because they were owned by the german state.
Is a GO a poor man’s ALS? Yes and no because the question is if you could afford the ALS would you choose it in lieu of GO? For me, it’s a no because I like stainless steel more as it’s more durable for my lifestyle. So I now have 3; the Senator Hand Date shown here on the video, the Senator Navigator with the beautiful BUhr dial and the Panomatic Lunar. I could have bought the Lange 1 but I am much happier with 3 GOs. The ALS is without doubt a finer watch but it’s about what makes you happy. It’s also where you are at in the journey of watch collecting regardless of your buying power, I have met so many people with PPs but they don’t really know what they have bought and the importance of that watch in the world of horology. Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it unless you know and truly appreciate what you have bought. Otherwise it’s just a status symbol and collecting watches is not about status but your taste that needs to be developed with time. Don’t buy a watch just because you can afford it, buy it because you truly appreciate the craftsmanship like a fine piece of art.
I would say GO is kind of like JLC. Just in Germany. Handfinished in-house movement, steel cases and complications. The high end pieces of JLC also can compete with Lange or Patek same as GO. I would say GO and JLC are two brands which just also produce steel watches on a lower price point. That’s it.
Go is a bargain because they lack the prestige to achieve premium pricing. It is amazing that you can get these handmade pieces for the price of a mass produced Rolex. This is like a Walmart A Lange. One day the world will wake up to how good these are.
Agreed about GO’s big date. Not only are the discs on the same plane, in most cases, the color is matched to the dial. I adore my PanoReserve and love that it flies a bit under the radar.
GO's big date is better than ALS in two aspects: 1. GO's big date always has two digits while ALS has only one digit on 1st to 9th of each month, this causes some imbalance. 2. There is not a window from in the GO's big date, while there's one in ALS's.
I agree 100% with what you just mentioned about this brand, i discovered them last year when i started to shop around for my 40th birthday in this year coming and i cant get enough of the quality they offer on the price they are selling it for. I started with Rolex, Daytona first then day date.. than looking at the money and what i was getting for i realised that the flashness of the brand is really not for me any more, fits those who know very little of horology or those who can afford only one good watch to show it around or the very rich who can buy amazing watches but want a daily beater (like a G-shok for most of us common people who only dream of Patek). So i found Glashutte Original Seventies the Senator and the PanoMaticLunar. I tried them on here in london and as soon you wear one you know you have something special you feel that wow factor on you wrist.. not to please the common people who are blind to true beauty, to high craftsmanship but for the true watch lover, for those very few ... who know quality and want something that is worth the price of a small car but they get all the optionals and trims included who is at the verge of custom made beacuse with a production of 7000 a year its a very small number, is exclusive.
Thank you for your informative input! I'm about to pull the trigger on a GO Senator Navigator from 2011. Beautiful piece. I've had Grand Seiko, IWC, Panerai, Omega, etc, but I'm lacking true quality, uniqueness and superior craftsmanship. I did had a Chronoswiss Timemaster 24 hours, which was actually a notch above the other brand I just mentioned. I can truly recommend Chronoswiss. I believe this GO to be in that same high-end exclusive field. You confirmed what I was suspecting. I'll sleep on it, but I'll probably buy my first GO soon! Rémon
Still hate that expresion. I'm "not there yet", so perhaps I can't really think the way where 7k Eur is considered like "just some money", but thinking about 7k watch as being "poor man's" of whatever, ahh, that's like punch right in the middle of face(s) of all people standing behind GO, plus all the people buying GO hell not taking care about any Lange, just enjoying beutiful piece of watchmaking. Being poor man's Lange, poor man's Rolex and others... can't realy think about more disrespectful expression for a respectful brand such GO.
@@@jozefhrusecky3085.......... well said! They might came from the same roof or country,,, they each have their own style, brand & movements. Doesn't make them 'poorer' brand. I purchased all my timepieces with knowledge & respect for their makers can't be bother worrying what others think.
@@jozefhrusecky3085 I look at it differently.. the "poor man's Lange" label is simply the truth. If I could afford it, I would buy a Lange, but I can't, so now I'm looking at a GO. If anything it's complimentary to GO because it's 90% as good a watch for 20% of the cost.
I was decided to purchase a Grand Seiko, but a couple of months ago, I started researching Glashütte Original brand. Now I can't decide which of two brands I'll purchase. Even the entry level of both brands are exceptional.
The Glashutte is going to be my entry into the watch world. Yes, Lange is the top of the mountain, but I don’t live near a mountain. Nice video and proper light shined onto a very worthy manufacture.
Good morning Fed ! Nice video. I totally agree with you on this brand, top quality. I also consider NOMOS to be high horology due to being fully in house for all pieces so even their “entry” level is made in house. They don’t do many complications but their German DNA is bauhaus and their style is simple on the outside but quality and fine in the inside. In 30 years this company will be the next Lange and GO. Not only that, but their boutique culture offers a much better experience than many Swiss brands like Rolex and omega. I was ready to buy a 10k piece at both locations and I pretty much walked out with a sour taste in my mouth, a bit snooty and don’t seem to offer anything in customer service. I ended up buying 2 nomos watches instead and couldn’t be happier ! The customer experience was a lot more personable and they didn’t seem too greedy. They gave you your space to decide on a watch and talked to you calmly about the details of the watch and what they stand for. Germany has a lot to offer in the manufacturing world like BMWs etc, and watches are no different.
Have a couple of German colleagues that loved their GOs...however, both have had very bad experiences with their customer service. One had his watch serviced by GO, and it wasn’t waterproof after the service. Two guesses how he found out. Then to top it off, they refused to cover it under warranty and he needed a new movement. While he loves the watch, he won’t have it serviced by GO again.
I think you are absolutely correct about GO. Tremendous value and top quality finishing. I just purchased a GO Seventies and absolutely love it. Much better fit and finish that my submariner, my GP F1 2000 Chrno and my Zenith El Primero chrono. The GO bracelet is superb and the retrograde power reserve is unique. The single plane date disc is much more appealing for than the Lange 2 plane system. Big fan of GO and now looking for a dress GO in Rose Gold. Keep the cool content coming.
Glaschutte makes amazing looking watches. I can't afford those kind of watches but if i could, I would buy their brand. I like that it's a lesser known brand. Nice content Fed.
I think it would be great if you could show more of the watch (or watches) in pictures or video in full screen instead of just having a small picture of it on the top left. I enjoy your content but please show us more of the watch or watches
Sorry, as an optician I love watches with double AR coating. I own Longines Spirit. Has 6 layers of AR on both sides of glass. Buy it Used. Looks better than many high end watches
Yes, I think Seiko should be included in high horology for some of their range, and unquestionably the Credor line. Frederico please get a decent camera for your delray site. I see in a reflection that a phone is being used. In any case, the resolution is not up to showing condition adequately. The Glashutte Original is a lovely looking watch (in the video) and is not done justice in the photos. With best intentions :-)
Good video Fed...I just picked up a Glashutte Original Senator Perpetual Calendar on rubber for under $11K. I believe this was somewhere around $20k new. White dial, Roman numerals on rubber...nice piece IMO.
The good thing with being “poor mans Lange” is that Lange is a watch geek brand, so you’re showing you’re knowledgeable either way. If you buy a poor mans Rolex/AP you could just be anyone who wants a cheaper version of a popular watch
GO makes some tremendous watches for the price and I totally agree with the brand being an under appreciated brand. It seems that Swiss brands get all the love but at times play second fiddle to German brands, at least in my opinion
I am a big fan of GO. Even took time to visit them this year (as well others in town). They are shadowed by A. Lange & Sohne and Nomos but still great timepieces. I PREFER them to the rest of those Swiss Made. GO just doesn't do the casing and straps everything else it's in house.
I am a Brit ,a watch to die for,way beyond my level of ownership,just take a wander around there in house video it is a wonder to behold, and in the past I have owned ,Rolex,Brittling passed them on to my boy ,and a friend I now have a micro Mark watch, A Traska Free diver Automatic and it keeps good time,when worn all day every day it will loose 1 to 2 minutes a month I can live with that, even I am not that good a time keeper.
I have a Karree Moonphase that gets compliments by watch lovers on the regular. Strangers literally talk to me about it. For the money there is no better value.
My second investment grade watch, after a Rolex Sub (16613 that I purchased 24 years ago), is a Glashutte Original Senator Moon Power Reserve Yellow Gold (39-44-01-11-04) that I have owned for about 15 years. Fantastic dress watch. I fell for the watch the first time I saw it. Exactly what I was looking for at the time. As for today, I would have to say the G.O. SeaQ Panaorma is tops on my list of desirable watches. That G.O....and the Grand Seiko 62GS. IMHO.
Hmm looking into both Lange and GO. Both appear to be an excellent timekeeper, an important virtue of any high horology IMHO. But GOs are thicker than Lange,which is a reservation for me. How important is that to you guys? Worth the money difference?
As a member of the Proletariat , I con only relax, drink my coffee, and enjoy your commentary. The 1% can wear these fine pieces as I hope one gets lost in the shuffle.
I first heard of GO when I first saw "Glitter Osten" on YT, where they had an ad for GO's East German predecessor Glasshutte Uhren. A Glasshutte Original watch is one of my grail watches, unless I can find an original GU Spezimatic as shown in "Flotter Osten."
Germany produces some of the best watches...Lange Heyne, Dornblüth etc. Since most are a small family owned, they are hand made and hand finished. They dont have celebrety endorsements or grand marketing gimmicks. That is why they are not well-known. But their workmanship is at par or better than any Swiss watches. And by the way "Swiss made" is kind of a misnomer.
Just remember.. luxury is a state of mind. No matter what watch you get, it doesnt need to be an expensive watch for it to be nice with horology. Just get the watch that makes you happy.
I like Glashutte more than Lange personally...as far as style. Also, could some Grand Seiko watches meet a “high horology” standard? They don’t do many complications I know.
A. Lange was dissolved. It was a political decision to dissolve all Glashütte watch companies and unite all employees in a kind of umbrella company called GUB. Its sarcastic to call this an unbroken historical lineage. GO was created out of the debris of the GUB.
I am no Rolex supporter, rather the opposite, but does Rolex care they are ‘high horology’ or not? With $10B in sales and 30% luxury watches market share, don’t think they care. That said they make some awesome watches, but screwed up by the artificial demand, AD markups and snobby behavior etc.
I am looking into a preowned Senator sixties chronograph which I think is one of the best looking watches I've ever seen in person. What are your thoughts on that watch in their line?
Definitely great watches - for me the design ist not quite right in the details. But spending more time with GO at the moment - maybe one they they will “speak to me”. A recent visit to Glashütte certainly was a right step.
I found an authentic Hublot “according to the store” oceanographic 1000 in a non AD, carbon, brand new unworn for $8500. Do you think it’s a good price? Or too good to be true?
High horology is a very vague term . Omega is made and produced the same way a jaeger is . Machined case and some other pieces , hand assembled movement
omega does not hand finish. A lot of JLC's are... Omega is not hand decorated, a lot of JLC's are... Omega doesn't make many complications, JLC does... all these are generalizations but they hold true...
Agree. I own a GO and the case back is fantastic. Like others, I wear an O or an R in daily use, but the GO is nice to have in ones collection because of the amazing workmanship.
I have to GOs and they are quite nice, but for some reason don’t wear them much. Maybe they are too refined for my prosaic tastes. The AP screams at me every morning.
yep - awesome brand. as much as a lange is the name - their big date implementation is not that nice looking. it is not like they cannot do it similar to GO of course - go figure their traditionalism. also agreed on rolex.
I think the complication is high horology. And rolex is always rolex... But its still undecorated and built by assembly line... Very impressive technology but I feel the "artisanal touch" isn't there...
Lange has a much more famous name. I remember some Glashutte were made in East Germany like the Spezimatic and those were cheap watches. East German products had a bad name for quality.
i hate that expression oh its a poor mans whatever do these people know what poor really means! if you buy a glashutte watch you are not poor! if you dont know where your next meal is coming from you are poor get real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
