Another Lange vs Patek

[slowhand]

This truly is a disease.. I just posted my incoming thread not too long ago, for a Lange 1 moonphase.. And I'm already looking towards the next piece!

I have said before that the Lange 1 was a grail, and it is.. So this might be the ultimate grail.. One step above..

Am considering a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 3940 vs a Lange Datograph, first generation.. Both have to be preowned as they are discontinued..

Having a small 6 inch wrist the Patek probably wears better, and I don't have a perpetual calendar in the collection.. But I have a Patek 5119, so I'm not sure if it might look similar..

On the other hand a Lange Datograph might wear big due to its thickness, but it's movement is simply mesmerizing and to die for..

I'm not sure about their values on the secondary market, any advice would be appreciated too..

Your thoughts? Opinions?

HAGWE all!

[fmc000]

Usually I don't like Patel and love ALS.

No different this time.

Sent from my SGS using Tapatalk.

[conkers]

A 3940 is a great addition to any collection.

[DreambreaX]

Lange

[toph]

ALS on this one.

[CWIN]

Tough choice but between the two, I'd go with the Lange.

[SearChart]

Datograph for me

[AK797]

Dato for sure. Also the Lange 1 and 5119 are dressy pieces so it would be good to have a sportier piece as well, and this is the best there is imho.

[FeelingTheBlues]

As much as I like the Datoghraph I'd have to go with the 3940, it's a real classic and you cannot hate the font used for the dial.

[Presa canary]

You're right, both of these are ultimate grails... It's nearly impossible to choose one over the other. But because the datograph has arguably the most beautiful movement ever, I'm going with that. Great dilemma and good luck!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Presa canary

You're right, both of these are ultimate grails... It's nearly impossible to choose one over the other. But because the datograph has arguably the most beautiful movement ever, I'm going with that. Great dilemma and good luck!

Second only to the Double Split which is like a Dato movement on steroids!

[Presa canary]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Second only to the Double Split which is like a Dato movement on steroids!

Touché... I prefer the size and dial of the datograph though.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Presa canary

Touché... I prefer the size and dial of the datograph though.

And for me having owned both I prefer the DS as the Dato was just too thick for it's case size. The DS thickness matched the case size so better proportioned. I do love the Dato dial though and it is surely hard to beat!!

[nick c]

Patek for me

[paverman]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

And for me having owned both I prefer the DS as the Dato was just too thick for it's case size. The DS thickness matched the case size so better proportioned. I do love the Dato dial though and it is surely hard to beat!!

Ken, IMO the case diameter issue was resolved with the coming out of the new version Dato up/down. It's proportions are spot on and is one of my favorite daily wears. As much as I like the DS, you have to have big wrists to pull it off.

As far as the OP's question and based on his smaller wrists, I'd go with the original Dato in a heartbeat.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Ken, the DS is one big watch indeed but it does seem to be very well proportionned, could you tell us the cases diameters and thickness for both the first generation Datograph and the Double-Split?

Do you still have the latter? I remember how excited we all were when you bought it!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Ken, the DS is one big watch indeed but it does seem to be very well proportionned, could you tell us the cases diameters and thickness for both the first generation Datograph and the Double-Split?

Do you still have the latter? I remember how excited we all were when you bought it!

DS 43mm and original Dato 39mm. The case just too thick given movement for the size of original Dato. Ken aka Paverman is right the new Up Down Dato is 41mm and solves problem with perfect proportions and case size to house that movement.

[paverman]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

DS 43mm and original Dato 39mm. The case just too thick given movement for the size of original Dato. Ken aka Paverman is right the new Up Down Dato is 41mm and solves problem with perfect proportions and case size to house that movement.

The 41 mm size of the new Dato is perfect for my taste. Ken (steelerfan) is of course correct with the dimensions of the DS and original Dato (43.2 and 39 respectively). The thickness of the DS is 15.3mm vs. 13.1 mm for the Dato.

[FeelingTheBlues]

13,1mm and 15,3mm, those are some thick watches indeed!

I agree that with a 39mm case it does sound a tad bulky, I'd be curious to try one on to see how it feels on the wrist. Sounds to me like it does indeed fit better with a bigger case. Thank you gentlemen.

[paverman]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

13,1mm and 15,3mm, those are some thick watches indeed!

I agree that with a 39mm case it does sound a tad bulky, I'd be curious to try one on to see how it feels on the wrist. Sounds to me like it does indeed fit better with a bigger case. Thank you gentlemen.

The Dato up/down is proportioned very well and wears very comfortably, whether in a suit or a tee shirt. The DS on the other hand, while certainly a masterpiece, is no doubt a hefty watch, both in size and weight. I personally love it, and being 6'3" and 240 lbs, it doesn't look that large. I will say though that as a platinum watch of its size, it does want to move around on your wrist and doesn't hide under a cuff well. It sure looks gooood though.

Sorry for the hijack.

[ArtVandelay]

IMHO no other watchmaker boasts such a stunning "black" dial as ALS. Go for it, no question!

[subtona]

ALS here.

for me the competition is the Patek 5170.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by subtona

ALS here.

for me the competition is the Patek 5170.

Id still def take the Dato, even if they were buyable at the same price.

[capote]

I prefer the 3940, but the Datograph is a future classic for sure.

[slowhand]

Thank you for your thoughts guys..

Surprised that it seems like a whitewash for the Datograph.. Really thought the 3940 being a more complicated and possibly more valuable (at least on the secondary market) piece would give it the edge!

[Soly20]

I'd go for the ALS Datograph for sure.

[topcat30093]

I went with the 3940G.

But that is basically, because I have had the privilege of owning a 3940R. Which is a stunning to look at and beautiful watch to wear.

And personally, I am not a fan of Roman Numeral dials. But if your choice had been for the newer version then based on your choice of a W/G 3940 then I would without hesitation go for the new Datograph. :)

[perpetualman88]

I am a Patek guy but on this one I am going with the Dato that movement is unbeatable besides the Double Split of course

[JChow]

The Dato can be too much for a small wrist as its a very top heavy watch and can have the tendency to 'float' on the wrist. Some people have found that adding the platinum deployant helps solve this issue, but at $5k its an expensive solution.

Have you considered the ALS 1815 Chrono? Same gorgeous movement with better proportions (same case diameter, but significantly thinner and lighter as its in WG not platinum).

If I were in your place, I'd go ALS 1815 Chrono (second hand) and use the $10k+ savings (vs the Dato) as a springboard to saving for the 3940.

Please let us know what you decide!

[slowhand]

Originally Posted by JChow

The Dato can be too much for a small wrist as its a very top heavy watch and can have the tendency to 'float' on the wrist. Some people have found that adding the platinum deployant helps solve this issue, but at $5k its an expensive solution.

Have you considered the ALS 1815 Chrono? Same gorgeous movement with better proportions (same case diameter, but significantly thinner and lighter as its in WG not platinum).

If I were in your place, I'd go ALS 1815 Chrono (second hand) and use the $10k+ savings (vs the Dato) as a springboard to saving for the 3940.

Please let us know what you decide!

Indeed I have considered that route.. Have tried on the 1815 chrono and love the proportions too.

However two big reservations. Firstly I don't know if I could ever shake off the feeling that it is the less iconic sibling of the datograph, no offense to owners of the piece, it's still really stunning!

Secondly I have an IWC Portuguese with blue hands, which might look a little similar from a distance..