Stirling Newall
38
Oh Ye of Little Faith!
After much deliberation reading the various comments about the Lumen Datograph I finally took the plunge and have reached the following honest conclusions ( maybe a 12, 24 and 36 month user review would be useful but these are my initial impressions:
1) Size and weight - Despite numerous comments the watch wears very well on the wrist and I normally prefer a sub 40mm watch. Very comfortable and with its rounded bezel slips easily under a cuff. 10/10
2) The Dial in Daylight - This dial catches your eye whatever your angle to it or the quality of light. In sunlight at an angle the dial acts like a slightly opaque silvered mirror with the hands and markers standing proud. I had to slow down in the car when I checked the car as I found myself entranced by the beauty of the dial and the numerous shades of silver - wow! Face on, the blue/grey tachymeter frames the darkened opaque dial creating a very sporty look which in a darker room begins to glow green. So almost 3 faces in the same watch - intriguing - yes - stunning - yes - elegant - yes - gimmicky - I don't think so. If I had a doubt its the clarity of the minute hand which with the lumen coating can be confused with the hours hand or become lost behind the chronograph hand - minor issue though and overall very legible and very modern! The sub-dials - seconds and chronograph minutes are very clear. I like the Ab/Auf time reserve as it helps ensure you keep it wound. As always the Large Date is a big tick for me on any Lange watch - 9/10
3) The Dial at night - The lumen starts to glow as soon as you move to a semi-darkened area and green becomes the dominant colour. The time remains clear. As yet I haven't been out at night so cannot comment further. ?/10
4) The movement - Acknowledged as a classic chronograph movement I agree it is a wonder to examine and its traditional style with hand-engraving and the beautiful soft colour of the silver provides a dramatic
contrast to the modern-sporty face. Which way up to wear the watch - maybe upside down on Sundays and holidays! 10/10
Overall having worn the watch for a short time I have immediately felt comfortable, the dial makes you smile like a 5 year old with a new toy. The movement is simply stunning and the watch works as a watch. My opinion is the doubters are all 100% wrong - this is a work of art.
More posts:
Oh Ye of Little Faith!
After much deliberation reading the various comments about the Lumen Datograph I finally took the plunge and have reached the following honest conclusions ( maybe a 12, 24 and 36 month user review would be useful but these are my initial impressions: 1) S...
Congrats and thanks for the detailed review!
I think the Dato Lumen is one of the more polarizing models. It's more personal/aesthetic preference than doubt. All that matters is whether their actual owners love them, which you clearly do! I especially liked your line, "The dial makes you smile like ...
Thank you for sharing!
but it’s a bit harsh to say the doubters are 100% wrong. We have different tastes and not everyone has to love every model our favourite brand produces. I personally would take the original Datograph over this one any day. There’s no doubt the Dato Lumen,...
OK the Doubters aren't Wrong
It just reflects my unbridled relief that some of the comments about the Datograph Lumen aren't reflective of the actual experience when wearing the watch. The original Datograph is a different watch - more traditional - less sporty - smaller - perhaps th...
Grail mechanical chronograph watch....congratulations.
This should not be your first Lange, if I may ask?
A Patek Migrant
No - its becoming a dangerous addiction! - somewhere and somehow I lost my passion for Patek - perhaps too broad a range, a lack of focus, a sense of volume demands creeping into the lower and middle part of the brand. I think Lange has a range where qual...
I’m all over the place but want to focus on just 4 brands....
PP, ALS, Rolex and Omega for now, not into Independents...yet. Prefer big brands with long history and heritage.
Study & Instinct
Yes - I know the feeling of not knowing where to start and even now I often find myself admiring a watch from Vacheron or JLC and wondering should I? But I have spent a lot of time considering and studying Patek and Lange and so I have become more knowled...
You’re absolutely correct in the points made...
I didn’t know where to start but I know where to end, that is why I’m now with these 4 brands. Fun, fun, keep collecting 👍🏻. Cheers, SN.
Thanks for the review
Beautiful timepiece, I went to the Tokyo boutique Tetuanes to see one and didn’t have one, also tried miami, plan to go to Dresden at the end of the year. Hopefully there. Enjoy in good health, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for comments
I feel lucky - perhaps someone else decided no and I won the lottery. I was told there's a long list of potential buyers - but who knows the truth? There's 200 of them so some are certain to come up for resale/auction. Enjoy the search.
I was lucky enough to see a friends piece today in the flesh.
Amazing piece, visually due to the colour and more open dial it actually appears smaller than the standard up/down and I was struck by the improved clarity of the hands on the pearlescent sub dials and especially the chrono hand in white lume works brilli...
