Help deciding on ALS chrono

[fwoomp]

I've always really liked chronographs and I think I've narrowed things down to ALS for my next one. I'm trying to decide between the Datograph (platinum) and the 1815 chronograph (WG with black dial). I tried them both on today and I really like them both. The finishing and movement are amazing, and the feel of the pushers is much smoother compared to my other chronos.

I love the look of 1815 and the smaller case works really well for my small wrists. But, I already have a number of no-date chronos (moonwatch and a couple of Daytonas). The 1815 is of course in a different league from those but it still seems like a lot of watches to have with the exact same complication. On the Datograph I really like the contrasted subdials and having the date indicator, plus this would be my first ALS and the big date and up/down indicators are classic features for them.

I'm leaning towards the Datograph at this point, but my biggest concern about it is the size-- on paper it's a 41mm diameter and 13mm thickness, but it feels a lot bigger than that and I have pretty small wrists (don't actually know the exact measurements). The lugs are pretty long, which makes the diameter seem bigger, and there's less tapering on the case so it feels a lot thicker compared to a Daytona, for example, which is still over 12 mm. The 1815 definitely felt small enough for my wrist, though.

Here are a couple pictures of the Dato on my wrist with a Daytona for reference. Note how while the Daytona case is only listed as 1mm smaller, it fits much more cleanly on my wrist, while the Datograph's lugs protrude out quite a bit more.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has more experience wearing the Datograph about how it compares size-wise in real-world wearing compared to the 1815 or a Daytona/Speedy. Will it end up being too big for my wrist? Also any more general thoughts between the two models would be great to hear!

[raclaims]

For me it’s the dato hands down
But if the dato doesn’t fit it will drive you crazy so go with what feels best

[WatchEater666]

I like both. If you have the coin for dato then I would go that route.

Size doesn’t really matter too much unless you’re buying something disgustingly large like 46 - 48mm+ IMO lol

[quantumdna]

Platinum Dato without a question. 41mm Lange wears big for a dressy watch.

[watchucallit]

I have a datograph and a Daytona but they are both gold. I have a small wrist 6.4 inches but they both balance well. If I had to select one -- would be the datograph hands down

[duffymcpatzer]

Dato


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[Becweb]

Datograph for the win

[nyc2la]

Datograph for sure. It looks great on your wrist. The lug to lug length is very manageable even for smaller wrists.

And get a platinum deployant; it will help balance the watch nicely on your wrist.

It’s as close to a perfect watch as any other.

[Ba Ba]

I have mentioned this before: get the original Datograph!! It has the best size if you don’t mind the thickness.
I cannot imagine why people comparing a datograph to daytona. It’s like apple and orange


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[edhahn44]

First gen Dato or 1815 Chrono


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[pdnb]

Originally Posted by edhahn44

First gen Dato or 1815 Chrono


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Yup… if you are worried about Lug length, get the the original 403 Dato; it’s 2mm smaller at 39mm.

I am used to wearing larger watches, but absolutely love it, some like the fit of the aspect ratio of the 1815 Chrono better than the Dato…but the big Date is so iconic.


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[fwoomp]

Thanks everyone for the helpful details! It sounds like the 1st gen Datograph might be a good compromise for me, but for something like this I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable buying brand new from the boutique rather than buying pre-owned and worrying about authenticity, service history, etc., especially considering how expensive these are to service.

I prefer the Datograph overall so I'm planning to go try it on again, and if the size looks and feels right in person then I'll go with that. If not then I'll have to make a decision between the 1815 and an older gen Datograph.

Originally Posted by watchucallit

I have a datograph and a Daytona but they are both gold. I have a small wrist 6.4 inches but they both balance well. If I had to select one -- would be the datograph hands down

I just measured my wrist this morning and it's around 6.5", so it's encouraging to hear that you've found it to fit well on a wrist that size.

[ReturningSon]

Originally Posted by fwoomp

Thanks everyone for the helpful details! It sounds like the 1st gen Datograph might be a good compromise for me, but for something like this I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable buying brand new from the boutique rather than buying pre-owned and worrying about authenticity, service history, etc., especially considering how expensive these are to service.

I prefer the Datograph overall so I'm planning to go try it on again, and if the size looks and feels right in person then I'll go with that. If not then I'll have to make a decision between the 1815 and an older gen Datograph.

I just measured my wrist this morning and it's around 6.5", so it's encouraging to hear that you've found it to fit well on a wrist that size.

I would stay away from the first gen. Ive been able to wear both the 39mm and the 41mm for an extended period. The 41 is the way to go. As another poster mentioned, the current gen has a very short lug-to-lug making it manageable on my smaller wrists (6.25 inches in circumference). The 41mm case tends to help broaden out the mass of the slightly chunky case better over the wrist, the 39mm profile seems to have stood up taller on my wrist. In short, I found that I liked the fitment of the 41 over the 39. Also the first gen has half the power reserve of the current and no reserve indicator. For me, the new gen is legit a no brainer especially in the platinum.

That said, service costs on Datos are not cheap (to be fair, the watch itself isnt) especially on older 1st gen datos since many have been floating around for a while (the reference was discontinued 10+ years ago) and with the smaller number of ALS boutiques, many of the datos were likely serviced by non-Lange repair people. When Lange finds out, they charge more to fix outsider interventions in repairs when the watch gets sent in for repair. Something to also consider with first gen Datos.

The 1815 chrono is nearly 40% of the price of the Dato at boutique retail ($106K vs $60K). The boutiques extend the warranty coverage on their pieces which does help offset some servicing costs down the road (just have them service it under warranty). I also think any chrono purchase at the boutique will get you Odysseus allocation which would also be something to consider.

[fwoomp]

I tried on the 41mm Datograph again today and I think it will definitely fit fine-- there was just something about the angle of yesterday's picture that made it look bigger compared to my wrist. I've attached another photo from today that gives a better sense of the size.

So I decided to pull the trigger on it, and I will definitely share more photos once I have it!

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[crod]

I have the OG Dato and Ill love it but the UP/DOWN works very well also, congrats!!

[893bet]

I would have chosen the 1815 personally. The slimmer profile wins for me.

[BigAppleBill]

I'm happy with my 1815 Chronograph. The size is much more realistic and manageable when compared to the Dato. Same exact movement, but without the date and extra bulk. But obviously you should go with what works best for you. A good dilemma to have.

[AK797]

OG Dato for me.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by fwoomp

I tried on the 41mm Datograph again today and I think it will definitely fit fine-- there was just something about the angle of yesterday's picture that made it look bigger compared to my wrist. I've attached another photo from today that gives a better sense of the size.

So I decided to pull the trigger on it, and I will definitely share more photos once I have it!

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Looks excellent, congrats on the decision! When do you expect to get it?

[fwoomp]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Looks excellent, congrats on the decision! When do you expect to get it?

Thank you! Hoping to have it by the end of the month.

[usmc_k9_vet]

It’s stunning! Congrats.


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