Answer first
The Datograph is a hand-wound chronograph made by A. Lange & Söhne in Glashütte, Germany. It went on sale in 1999. A replica is a third-party copy of the case, dial and strap. It does not contain a Lange movement. The number 912.021 does not appear in published Lange Datograph references. Known numbers include 403.035, 405.032, 405.035 and 410.025. Treat 912.021 as a seller label until Lange confirms it.
What the real Datograph contains
The L951.1 movement is hand-wound. It uses a column wheel and a horizontal clutch. It has a flyback function. The dial carries an outsize date built from two discs. Reference 403.035 came in platinum with a 39 mm case. Lange makes the movement in house, finishes parts by hand and regulates the rate in five positions. Part counts and tolerances come from Lange, not from resellers.
What replica sellers put in a 912.021
Most copies sold under the Datograph name use an Asian chronograph movement. Two types appear: the Seagull ST19, a hand-wound column wheel design, and clones of the ETA 7750 pattern, which are automatic. Neither is a Lange caliber. Case metal is 316L steel with gold plating or PVD coating. Crystal is sapphire or mineral glass. Date discs are printed, and the two discs often fail to align with the window at the change.
Checks before you pay
- Ask for photos of the movement, not just the dial.
- Ask for the caliber name. If the seller cannot name it, the claim is not verifiable.
- Check the caseback engraving for spelling and depth.
- Check the date window at 11:55 and at 00:05.
- Check pusher feel and crown thread.
- Ask about water resistance testing. Most copies are not tested.
Prices
Asking prices on replica sites sit between about $200 and $700. Some sellers ask more for "super clone" listings. There is no resale market. Lange does not service copies. Warranty comes from the seller, and many sellers ship from outside the United States.
Legal position in the United States
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 2320. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit items at import. Personal use is not an exemption. A counterfeit brought into the United States carries risk of seizure, and resale carries risk of criminal charges.
How to verify reference 912.021
Lange publishes its references and answers questions through its own service network. Ask the seller for the full reference on the caseback and a photo of the movement. If the number does not appear in Lange records, the watch is not a Lange product, and the listing is a copy.