The Collector’s Collection – Lung Lung and Her A. Lange & Söhne Datograph

Hong Kong-based watch fanatic Lung Lung Thun (32) often known as @lunglungthun is likely one of the common contributors to our Collector’s Collection, together with her huge assortment of gorgeous watches. We’ve already mentioned together with her the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci. And at present, it’s one among our all-time favorite watches that would be the centre of consideration. As soon as once more, we’re more than happy to see such a watch worn by a seasoned feminine assortment, exhibiting that stunning watches don’t have any gender. On this instalment of the Collector’s Collection, all eyes are on her A.Lange & Söhne Datograph in Rose Gold, the early reference 403.031 – the non Up/Down, smaller version with Roman numerals.

Frank Geelen – MONOCHROME – What’s it you admire in A. Lange & Söhne?

Lung Lung Thun – The craftsmanship is second to none for my part. The motion, design, and ending is so extremely properly achieved, I nonetheless discover it astonishing that the model hasn’t gained as a lot traction because it ought to have, however that’s slowly altering. Once I first bought again into accumulating watches in 2019, I used to stroll go the A. Lange boutique at Prince’s constructing in Hong Kong. I used to be all the time too timid to enter the shop, however I recall feeling in awe of each piece they displayed at their window.

And why did it should be this explicit watch?

Lots of the trendy A. Lange & Söhne items that I’d like to personal are too massive for me. I first noticed the trendy up/down reference by means of the boutique window, however I knew I couldn’t carry off the dimensions, that’s how I made a decision to deal with their classic items. It was an added bonus that the primary technology Datographs had Roman numerals which I favor over the trendy stick markers. 

I feel with all luxurious gadgets, I attempt to discover the most effective of that class. The Datograph has arguably the most effective chronograph motion and to me epitomizes wonderful watchmaking. I additionally take pleasure in the truth that the model is much less acknowledged than many different Swiss watch manufacturers.
With some watches in my assortment, the attraction slowly wanes with time, however with the Datograph, my appreciation has solely grown stronger. The second I noticed the case again of this watch, I knew I needed to personal it.

Do you not care as a lot for the motion as for the aesthetics?

I typically use vehicles as an analogy. The motion being the engine of the automobile, so to some extent it’s one thing I take into consideration earlier than making a purchase order. For this watch, the motion was equally interesting because the case and dial itself. The Datograph has arguably among the best chronograph actions within the business. The whole lot is hand completed and aesthetically, for my part can’t be overwhelmed. It has all the weather that make my coronary heart tick together with the hand-engraved steadiness cock, jewels set in gold châtons, and Glashütte ribbing.

Picture by @lunglungthun

Picture by @lunglungthun

Are you able to inform us the present market worth of the watch?

I bought this watch earlier than the hype round it, which is a accumulating philosophy that I hope to proceed, to gather with as little exterior affect as potential. I don’t keep in mind the precise determine I paid, however I do recollect it reaching round HKD 500,000 within the Phillips Geneva public sale in 2020. Extra vital than its worth although, is that by means of this watch, I used to be launched to the world of public sale homes. 

I first encountered the watch at a Phillips public sale home dinner occasion. I used to be decided to not act impulsively, so I informed myself that if I nonetheless couldn’t get that be careful of my head in a couple of weeks, I most likely ought to take into account buying it. From that evening onwards, the watch consumed me, the extra I learn in regards to the watch, the extra I knew I needed to personal it. I used to be fortunate sufficient to discover a piece from a retailer in Hong Kong.

Does your watch get a whole lot of wrist time?

Sure, I’ll by no means purchase something that I don’t put on. I rotate my watches each day and construct my outfit across the piece I’m carrying on that day. I do get reactions to it. Clearly with the watch being extra acknowledged, due to the “Dufourgraph” phenomenon, most watch lovers will do a double-take to ensure it’s the first technology Datograph. My largest pleasure although is when my girlfriends, who aren’t into watches, ask me bout this watch as a result of they just like the design of the dial.

How would you describe your watch assortment to this point?

In a single phrase, loud. I do know a whole lot of collectors have an affinity to at least one model or maybe an period, or a sure complication. I don’t remorse not having caught to a theme. It’s an evolving studying course of for me, and I can’t wait to look again sooner or later, and see how my tastes have modified with time.

Is there something subsequent in your listing?

After all, the listing by no means ends. Since my final interview, I’ve lastly moved into taking a look at classic Pateks. This was one thing I had intentionally prevented doing for the longest time just because I do know when you begin, the chase by no means ends.

Which different manufacturers do you retain monitor of?

It by no means ceases to amaze me what MB&F will launch, however smaller manufacturers like anOrdain are doing nice stuff, too. I’m positively not an skilled with regards to sourcing, however I’ve learnt from my final two purchases that it doesn’t damage to ask round by means of associates and the watch group on Instagram.

As tacky because it sounds, I feel I’ve “discovered my individuals” by means of watches. I’ve met a few of my closest associates by means of this passion. I like connecting with different collectors as a result of it exposes me to many watches that I could have missed or haven’t had an opportunity to see in actual life.  

Is the watch world a person’s world, or do you assume ladies are simply as into watches as males?

I’m a real believer that life isn’t about what occurs to you, however the way you react. All of the cases or folks that have given me a tough time, I’ve simply dismissed. I’m grateful that I’m able to take pleasure in this passion and to have the ability to see and contact all these nice items, I don’t actually deal with whether or not I must be handled or spoken to in a sure method. Like all passion, it’s a strategy to chill out and escape, so any downtime is admittedly spent round watches, whether or not it’s studying, assembly watch individuals, or searching watches on-line. I’m a really disciplined individual by nature, so accumulating watches has allowed me to precise the opposite facet of me that could be very a lot romantic, impulsive, and illogical.