Lange
1949–1952 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Lange
Made from 1949 through 1952, the Lange is a round-cased men's watch from Hamilton's CLD family, powered by the caliber 747, a 17-jewel manual-wind movement. The case is 14K yellow gold with swept lugs, and Hamilton offered two dial configurations from the start: a silver dial with 18K gold numerals and dots, and a silver dial with luminous painted numerals and hands. Hamilton positioned the Lange as an all-round, all-weather watch suited to active wear, which was a common pitch for a solid, no-nonsense dress watch in the postwar era.
Finding a Lange in honest condition takes some patience. The silver dial finish is susceptible to peeling and spotting, particularly near the edges or around the subseconds register, and any watch that was worn regularly through those early postwar decades may show moisture-related wear. The luminous dial variant is the one most collectors encounter, and the condition of those lume numerals varies considerably from example to example.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Lange as "an all-round, all-weather watch for men of many activities" and priced it at $150.00 in 1949, available with either 18K gold numerals and dots or luminous numerals and hands on a silver dial, both on leather strap.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1949
1950
1951
1952
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the silver dial closely for separation, fading, or moisture damage near the edges and around the subseconds register. Any cleaning attempts on a dial this age can accelerate deterioration, so a dial that has been left alone, even if imperfect, is often preferable to one that shows signs of tampering. Note whether the example has the gold numeral dial or the luminous numeral dial, as both are period-correct. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches, crazing, or a replacement crystal that does not sit flush with the bezel. A correct acrylic crystal is period-appropriate and far easier to source and fit than it may appear. |
| Movement | Request a timing result or observe the watch running across multiple positions before buying. A caliber 747 that has sat unworn for years will likely have dried oil, and that friction shows up as inconsistent rate or intermittent stopping. Budget for a full service regardless of how well it appears to run. |
| Case | The 14K yellow gold case on the Lange shows wear at the lugs and case back edges over decades of use. Look for honest wear rather than deep polishing grooves, which suggest the case has been buffed aggressively and may have lost crispness at the lug edges. Case backs on watches of this era can be difficult to open, and poorly removed backs often show tool marks at the edge. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is the correct size and profile, winds smoothly without slipping, and pulls out cleanly into hand-setting position. A worn or replaced crown is a minor issue but worth factoring into the overall picture of how the watch was cared for. |
The Movement
The caliber 747 is a 17-jewel manual-wind movement that Hamilton used across a number of its 14K gold models in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It winds and sets cleanly when properly maintained, and it has a good reputation among watchmakers for reliability. Like any movement of this age, it benefits from a proper service, since oil that has dried over decades creates enough friction to cause erratic timekeeping or stop the watch entirely.