The short answer: A. Lange & Söhne does not make a model called "Lange 3," and reference 101.035 belongs to the Lange 1 family from Glashütte, Germany. A search phrase that pairs a nonexistent model name with a real reference number is a pattern that shows up in counterfeit listings, so treat it as a warning sign rather than a product name. My top pick for anyone who wants this watch is a genuine Lange 1 bought from a reputable dealer, with a certified pre-owned example as the practical second choice and a German-made alternative from Glashütte Original or Nomos as the third. I judged each option on five criteria: whether the model name matches the maker's real catalog, whether the movement construction is plausible for the price being asked, whether the outsize date and asymmetric dial layout are correct, whether service history and paperwork exist, and whether the purchase is legal to import and resell in the United States.
What "Lange 3 101.035" really refers to
The reference number is the reliable half of the phrase. Numbers in the 101.xxx block are assigned across the Lange 1 range, a hand-wound line introduced in the 1990s with an off-center main dial, a power reserve indicator, and the outsized double date window that the brand is known for. The movement family behind it uses twin mainspring barrels and roughly three days of running time, and the finishing is the part that matters most: a three-quarter plate in untreated German silver, gold chatons, blued screws, and a hand-engraved balance cock. A. Lange & Söhne produces only a few thousand watches a year in total, which is why the secondhand market is thin and why a random listing offering one at a deep discount rarely survives scrutiny.
"Lange 3" is the part that does not check out. The company's catalog naming runs through Lange 1, Grand Lange 1, Little Lange 1, Lange 1 Time Zone, and Lange 1 Moon Phase. When a listing invents a model name, it is usually because the seller assembled the description from search terms rather than from a real watch.
Option 1: Genuine Lange 1, reference 101.035
This is the reference the phrase is reaching for. Buying it means buying a piece of Saxon watchmaking with a documented movement, a serial number that can be verified, and factory service support.
Pros
- Correct movement architecture, including the twin-barrel hand-wound calibre and hand-engraved balance cock.
- Service and parts support through the brand's authorized network.
- Real resale value, because the buyer pool is small but serious.
Cons
- High entry price compared with almost any other option on this page.
- Limited supply, so finding a specific reference can take months.
- Service costs are significant and turnaround times are long.
Best for: a collector who wants the real object and intends to keep it long term.
Option 2: Certified pre-owned or a reputable secondary dealer
The same reference, sourced after the first owner. The watch is identical; the paperwork trail and the warranty are what change.
Pros
- Lower cost than a new piece from an authorized dealer.
- Older production runs sometimes have dial and case variants no longer offered.
- A good dealer will provide service records and an inspection report.
Cons
- Condition varies widely, and polishing can remove case definition.
- Fake paperwork is common, so the serial number needs independent verification.
- Warranty coverage depends entirely on the seller.
Best for: a buyer who wants the reference, understands the market, and is willing to verify before paying.
Option 3: Legitimate German-made alternatives
If the appeal is the Glashütte design language rather than the name on the dial, several makers work in the same tradition at a fraction of the price. Glashütte Original, Nomos Glashütte, and Stowa all build in Germany with real in-house or heavily modified movements.
Pros
- Legal, serviceable, and backed by a manufacturer warranty.
- Available new, often with short delivery times.
- Retains resale value far better than any counterfeit.
Cons
- No outsize date in most cases, and different finishing standards.
- Not the same prestige, and not the same watch.
Best for: a buyer who likes the look and wants something they can wear, insure, and pass on.
Option 4: Counterfeit listings using this phrase
These are the listings the search term usually leads to, and they fail on nearly every measure.
Pros
- Low asking price, which is the entire pitch.
Cons
- Importing or selling counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States, and shipments are subject to seizure.
- No manufacturer service, no parts, and no warranty of any kind.
- Movements are generic and cannot replicate the three-quarter plate, gold chatons, or engraved balance cock.
- The invented model name signals a description written for search engines, not a watch.
- Resale is effectively impossible through any legitimate channel.
- Payment methods used in these sales offer little recourse if nothing arrives.
Best for: nobody. If the goal is the look at a lower price, Option 3 gets you there legally and with a watch that still runs in ten years.
How to check a listing that claims to be a Lange 1
- Confirm the model name exists in the maker's published catalog. "Lange 3" does not.
- Ask for the movement number and the case serial, then have both verified.
- Look at the date window. The outsize date uses two separate discs; a single-disc window is wrong.
- Check the balance cock for hand engraving. Machine-stamped decoration is a giveaway.
- Compare the price against recent auction and dealer results. A large gap is information.
- Insist on an escrow or credit-card payment path, and get the terms in writing.
Bottom line
The phrase "fake Lange 3 101.035" describes a listing problem, not a product. The reference is real, the model name is not, and the watches sold under that combination are the least reliable way to get the look. Buy the genuine reference if the budget allows, buy certified pre-owned if it does not, and buy a German alternative if what you actually want is the design. Every one of those paths gives you a watch that can be serviced, insured, and sold later.