Lange 1815 or Datograph?

squarelug · Aug 29, 2019

For those of you who've spent some time with both - any thoughts on the pros and cons of each? The 1815 is essentially the datograph minus the date, and is cheaper, perhaps more streamlined, and I'm wondering which you would get.

- I'm on the fence about the white dials on the datograph
- Don't know if I really care for the date so much (though I get that's a Lange signature)
- Am wondering if the 1815 is thinner (because the dato is THICK)

jhross98 · Aug 29, 2019

Datograph is quite a thick.. Personal preference but I'd never buy one

1815 boutique white dial is a killer watch
There is one here

(32512) A. Lange and Sohne 414.026 1815 Chronograph 18K White Gold BOUTIQUE
https://www.europeanwatch.com/32512.html

My big issue w lange and I have owned 3 is that the secondary market has imploded and seems to have no bottom. Something is wrong here.

marco · Aug 29, 2019

The 1815 chrono is a good value buy especially when compared to its Patek equivalent. If buying used it becomes a horoglogical bargain. The Dato as has been previously noted is a hulk of a watch.
The 1815 also wears surprisingly large visually, you need to be aware of this if you have a small wrist. The wrist in the pic is 6.5 in. This "largeness" is partly due to the plain bezel and vast expanse of eggshell dial or black laquer.
To answere your question yes the 1815 is thinner than the Dato at 1.1 cm, Dato being 1.3 , from memory .
The movement on both watches is a sight to behold and much time can be spent exploring with a loupe.
The Dato and the 1815 are different animals when it comes to aesthetics, pure tool instrument and classy dress chrono.
You can't go wrong with either , your choice guys. I would be proud to own either.

rbob99 · Aug 29, 2019

The Datograph was my grail until I actually tried it on. As others have said, it is quite thick. In fact, for me it was uncomfortable and after a few minutes on my wrist I lost interest in it entirely and forever. I was also able to try on the 1815 without chronograph, and found it to wear very well. I haven't had the opportunity to wear the 1815 chronograph, but I'm guessing it wears well too.

Chye · Aug 30, 2019

Some collectors will go on and on about how the Dato is THE Lange to get, I was caught in a similar dilemma some time back, and I finally settled on the 1815 Chronograph. It's been 5 years now, and absolutely no regrets - vs the Dato, it is slimmer, no date and far more wallet friendly. Here's my 2nd gen 402.026 saying hello....

Even though I already have the above, I actually find myself fantasizing hitting some grand lottery and getting the 1st gen WG/ White Dial AND 3rd gen WG/Black Dial versions....

Chye

Chye · Aug 30, 2019

Apparently Ben Clymer of Hodinkee's a fan of the 1815 chrono too 😀 -
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/patek-philippe-3940-a-lange-and-sohne-1815-chronograph

But as Marco's already advised, you cannot go wrong with either!

Chye

jklim · Aug 30, 2019

Chye
Some collectors will go on and on about how the Dato is THE Lange to get, I was caught in a similar dilemma some time back, and I finally settled on the 1815 Chronograph. It's been 5 years now, and absolutely no regrets - vs the Dato, it is slimmer, no date and far more wallet friendly. Here's my 2nd gen 402.026 saying hello....

Even though I already have the above, I actually find myself fantasizing hitting some grand lottery and getting the 1st gen WG/ White Dial AND 3rd gen WG/Black Dial versions....

Chye

What a great looking watch you have there! Absolutely love the design.

squarelug · Aug 30, 2019

jhross98
Datograph is quite a thick.. Personal preference but I'd never buy one

1815 boutique white dial is a killer watch
There is one here

(32512) A. Lange and Sohne 414.026 1815 Chronograph 18K White Gold BOUTIQUE
https://www.europeanwatch.com/32512.html

My big issue w lange and I have owned 3 is that the secondary market has imploded and seems to have no bottom. Something is wrong here.

I'd agree. The limited editions seem to be holding but the other's are a mess. Any idea why? Complicated watches are not exactly in fashion but Lange had this problem pre 2016 too

jhross98 · Aug 30, 2019

squarelug
I'd agree. The limited editions seem to be holding but the other's are a mess. Any idea why? Complicated watches are not exactly in fashion but Lange had this problem pre 2016 too

I cannot pinpoint it but even the tourbillons have imploded. I think Asia has turned on lange in a big way. At these price points the secondary market matters.

They are gorgeous watches... That 1815 boutique chrono is stunning but I'd rather own a patek 5170 for long term value retention

alphabeta81 · Sep 5, 2019

I have owned the Dato in RG and PT, and the 1815 chrono in a few variants.

Dato in PT to me wears too heavy and lopsided. The RG wears quite nicely.

That said, the 1815 in all forms wears like a dream. My personal choice is the first series pulsations dial. Cannot go wrong with the 1815 chrono and it has a lot of the vibe of the great 13zn Longines chronographs of the past - which is a very good thing.

The above opst says he would own the 5170 for value retention. On a % basis, the 5170 has been hit MORE than the 1815 chrono in the last 3 years. It is painful to see the 5170J now get less than HALF of retail price secondary. I would say that the Lange, if bought second hand, will hold value better. Great chronographs tend to. Much of the Lange move down has been in pieces they have at retail above 70k and also the simple time only/time PR pieces.

guaranteed.rohu · Sep 8, 2019

I think the older dato, while thick, is a horological icon. If you can stomach the thickness, the movement (similar to the 1815 chrono obviously) is really as good as it gets.

I think the 39mm Dato version wears pretty well size wise. The fact that these can be found 40-45k USD in mint condition is crazy value when you compare it to the prices of Patek (particularly any steel patek sports watch).

I'd personally go the boutique edition 1815 chrono probably!

Lange_1815_Chronograph_Boutique_LE_BP_AS02068_2_grande.jpg

Geezer · Sep 8, 2019

I personally love both the 1815 and the Datograph. They are excellent watches!

Concerning the thickness, I would not consider the Datograph if you wear a dress shirt on a daily basis. On several occasions I've purchased beautiful watches, only to realize later that they don't wear comfortably with a shirt. Since then, I've customized the left sleeve on some of my shirts, but this is a compromise that I don't particularly like. Overall I much prefer something that easily slips under my cuff.

Evitzee · Sep 8, 2019

I had an early Dato in Pt back in 2001. I never thought it was too thick, I always felt the proportions were good. I sold it years ago and sometimes regret making that decision. The large date is a Lange trademark. You can't go wrong with either one, movements are similar so buy the one that talks to you. One is not preferable over another.

texasmade · Sep 27, 2019

I've tried both on and prefer the 1815 Chrono over the Datograph. Like others have said, the Dato wears thick even though it's only like 1mm thicker.

lpestre · Oct 1, 2019

1815 10000% for me !

bigfatpauli · Oct 16, 2019

I went though this a few years ago. I tired on both the new Dato, the older Dato and the 1815. The smaller, thinner case size made the 1815 the easy winner for me. The Dato, in any iteration, is a clunky watch.

Lange 1815 or Datograph?

squarelug

jhross98

marco

rbob99

Chye

Chye

jklim

squarelug

jhross98

alphabeta81

guaranteed.rohu

Geezer

Evitzee

texasmade

lpestre

bigfatpauli

Similar threads

benchmark LANGE datograph

A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Up Down 234.032 18K Rose Gold 39MM Box & Papers

A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Up Down 234.026 18K White Gold 39MM Box & Papers

A. Lange & Sohne 1815 / 235.032 Pink Gold 38.50MM Box & Papers

A. Lange & Sohne 1815 / 235.032 Pink Gold 38.50MM Box & Papers

A. Lange & Sohne 1815 / 235.032 Pink Gold 38.50MM Box & Papers