Answer

A replica Lange tourbillon is a copy of an A. Lange & Söhne tourbillon wristwatch. Real Lange tourbillons are made in Glashütte, Germany. Replicas are made in China. Prices for replicas run from $120 to $1,500. No replica uses a Lange calibre. No replica comes from Glashütte.

What "Lange tourbillon" covers

A. Lange & Söhne has made tourbillon watches since 1994. The first was the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite. Other models include the Lange 1 Tourbillon (2000), Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite (2011), Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar (2012), 1815 Tourbillon (2014), Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon (2016), and Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite (2017). Sellers use "Lange tourbillon" for any of these.

Tourbillon basics

A tourbillon puts the balance wheel and escapement inside a rotating cage. The cage turns once per minute. It averages positional error from gravity. Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the device in 1801. A real tourbillon has 60 to 80 parts in the cage alone.

How replica versions are built

Replica Lange tourbillons fall into two groups. The first uses a Chinese tourbillon movement. Common bases are the Sea-Gull ST8000 series and the Hangzhou 5000 series. These movements have a real rotating cage. The second group uses a standard automatic movement with a fake cage. The cage does not turn. A balance wheel spins behind an aperture.

Case material is 316L stainless steel on most replicas. Some sellers plate the case with gold. Real Lange tourbillons use 18k gold or platinum. Crystal is mineral glass on cheap models and sapphire on better ones. Straps are cowhide, PU, or alligator. Weight runs 70 to 110 grams. A real Lange 1 Tourbillon in platinum weighs about 150 grams.

Price tiers

  • Under $150: no tourbillon. The aperture shows a balance wheel.
  • $150 to $400: real Chinese tourbillon, basic finish, mineral glass, steel case.
  • $400 to $900: sapphire crystal, better dial printing, closer case shape.
  • $900 to $1,500: "super clone" grade. Better finishing, AR coating, alligator strap.

Inspection tells

  • Movement finish. Real Lange calibres have hand-engraved balance cocks, Glashütte ribbing, gold chatons, and blued screws. Replicas have laser etching.
  • Date. The Lange outsize date uses two discs. Many replicas use one disc.
  • Subdial layout. The Lange 1 has small seconds at 4 to 5 o'clock and a power reserve at 3 o'clock. Replicas move these.
  • Case metal. Lange tourbillons come in gold or platinum. A steel case is a sign of a fake.
  • Weight. Steel replicas feel light. Gold and platinum models feel dense.
  • Price. Real retail starts near $100,000. The Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite sold for over $400,000 at auction.

Legal and customs notes

US law bans import of counterfeit goods. 19 U.S.C. § 1526 lets Customs and Border Protection seize shipments. Selling counterfeits is trademark infringement under the Lanham Act. Possession for personal use is not a federal crime in most cases. State laws differ. This is not legal advice.

What buyers check

  • Movement photo and video. Ask for a clip of the cage turning.
  • Case diameter. Lange 1 is 38.5 mm. Richard Lange Tourbillon is 41.9 mm. 1815 Tourbillon is 39.5 mm.
  • Lug width and strap material.
  • Water resistance claim. Most replicas are not pressure tested.
  • Seller history and return policy.

FAQ

Does a replica Lange tourbillon use a real tourbillon?

Some do. Cheap models do not. A real Chinese tourbillon movement costs $80 to $200 wholesale. A fake cage costs under $20.

How much does a replica Lange tourbillon cost?

$120 to $1,500. The median is near $350.

Is a replica Lange tourbillon made in Switzerland?

No. Lange & Söhne makes watches in Glashütte, Germany. Replicas come from China. Main hubs are Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Can a watchmaker service a replica Lange tourbillon?

Some can. Parts are hard to source. A service for a Chinese tourbillon costs $150 to $300. Many watchmakers refuse.