A replica Lange 2 405.031 is a counterfeit of the A. Lange & Söhne reference 405.031, a hand-wound dress watch from the Lange 1 line with an off-center dial, a small seconds subdial, and the outsized date window at the top right. Super-clone builds cost $450 to $900, mid-tier versions run $200 to $400, and anything under $150 hides a quartz or generic automatic movement. Copy buyers chase this reference because the dial layout is unmistakable, so the watch reads as a Lange from across a table.
Expect a 38.5 mm to 39 mm case, sapphire crystal, and a display back on the better examples. The genuine watch runs an in-house calibre with a hand-engraved balance cock and a Glashütte three-quarter plate, and no replica matches that, so judge a copy on layout accuracy, date font, and finishing depth instead.
What is the replica Lange 2 405.031 copying?
Reference 405.031 sits in A. Lange & Söhne's Lange 1 family, the line that brought the outsized date into modern watchmaking in 1994. Copy makers in this reference number are few, and most sellers share case and dial tooling across several brand names.
The nickname Lang 2 appears in marketplace listings and chat groups rather than in any official catalog. Treat a seller who markets it as an official model name with caution.
How much does a replica Lange 2 405.031 cost?
- $120 to $200: quartz or low-grade automatic, printed date wheels, mineral glass, plated case.
- $250 to $400: automatic clone movement, sapphire glass, clean dial printing, shallow engraving.
- $450 to $900: hand-wound clone calibre, correct 38.5 mm case, crisp outsize date, decorated balance cock, heat-blued screws.
Price tracks movement quality far more than case metal. A gold-plated case on a cheap movement often costs less than a steel case wrapped around a proper hand-wound clone.
Which details separate a good replica from a bad one?
- Outsize date: two separate rotating discs, tight font, no visible gap between the numerals.
- Dial: off-center main dial, applied markers, subdial aligned with the genuine geometry.
- Movement: hand-wound with a visible gear train, blued screws, and a decorated balance cock.
- Case: 38.5 mm width, correct lug shape, thickness under 10.5 mm.
- Hands: blued steel tone, correct length reaching the printed track.
Does the outsize date on a replica actually work?
Yes on most builds above $300. The two-disc mechanism copies the genuine design, so the units and tens rotate on separate wheels and jump at midnight. On cheap copies the discs are printed on one wheel or fixed in place.
Check the date font before anything else. Genuine Lange numerals are tall and thin with sharp serifs, while budget replicas use a fat sans-serif shape that shows up in photos at a glance.
How do you vet a replica seller?
- Ask for timestamped photos of the actual watch, not catalog renders.
- Request a movement video with the balance wheel visible while the crown turns.
- Pay with a method that allows a dispute, and skip wires to personal accounts.
- Confirm the return window and shipping method in writing before payment.
Is buying a replica Lange 2 405.031 legal in the US?
Importing a counterfeit watch is illegal under US trademark law, and Customs can seize the shipment. Selling a replica as genuine carries heavier penalties. The legal exposure sits with the importer, not the factory.
Frequently asked questions
Is the replica Lange 2 405.031 water resistant?
Most copies handle splashes only. Case gaskets on replica builds are often dry or missing, so keep the watch out of pools and showers.
How long does a replica Lange movement last?
A hand-wound clone typically runs three to seven years before service. A replacement movement costs $80 to $200, which is usually cheaper than a repair.
Can a watchmaker tell it is a replica?
Anyone who opens the caseback knows within seconds. Bridge finishing, balance cock engraving, and the missing Glashütte three-quarter plate give it away.