skyeriding
901
A wonderful conundrum you have
Both are nice watches - each with their own points to note. Here's a movement-nerdy take on both:
Lange 1:
Has freesprung balance. Hence, no balance timing screws for poising which some may miss as they find it more traditional and aesthetically pleasing. The swan neck is not a "regulator", but is for beat adjustment which is also a more modern take of things. I personally wished it was a more classic, regulator design like the old L1...
Compared to the traditional Lange 1, as you know it has instantaneous jumping date now thanks to the new movement. Actually, the new movement also has a few other quirks - for one, the geartrain is aligned at a different angle to the old L1, and thus a more efficient system with less gears is achieved. By placing the balance wheel next to the crown (I can't think of any other watch having this!), it allows convenient placement of the seconds hand on the dial side directly driven (old L1 needed extra gearing). This means that the 3/4 plate is now simplified in design and doesnt need the little "islands" the old L1 had (take as a positive or negative - some prefer the older aesthetic). This simpler design I imagine gave the needed space to implement the instantaneous date.
Aesthetically, I think the L1 is always an icon and that any Lange collection needs one with a bigdate.
1815 u/d:
This is one of those 1815 models which does not have cut off numerals thanks to the dial layout which is nice. Aesthetically it is nicely balanced - albeit as many pointed out is too reminiscent to the chrono dial.
Movement has more interesting visual appeal with much of the winding gears visible. Personally however, I am not fond of the Click - If its exposed like that, it could've been more ornately finished like how its done on the saxonia 35mm as a "sharp beak". Such a setup that the u/d does now is less visually interesting, but won't wear out as quickly since no sharp contacts.
As with similar Langes, the ratchet gears have polished teeth (albeit subtly) which is a nice finishing touch that not many other brands do.
It also has the traditional regulator swan-neck and poised screwed balance - which I find very visually appealing and more traditional.
Both watches as I recall, have an interesting quirk whereby when power reserve runs out, the seconds hand will stop exactly at 60! This mechanism exists piggyback off the fact both have a power reserve mechanism in place already.
My personal biased vote goes to the Lange 1 due to the iconic layout and outside date.
Regards,
skyeriding
Lange purchase
By: bloomy201 : November 22nd, 2017-10:59
Hi, My thoughts are that the Lange 1 has the outsized date which to me is a true Lange iconic aspect of their designs. I wouldn't want 2 Lange watches yet have no date on either. Also as far as movement side vs dial side of a watch, the likelihood is that...
A few thoughts...
By: CR : November 22nd, 2017-11:22
Because funds are limited, I'd suggest you seriously consider preowned (vs. new). You can buy a preowned Lange 1 (sans moonphase) PLUS a preowned 1815 Up/Down for about the same price as a new Lange 1. In addition, being open to the preowned market would ...
Yes, I agree.
By: foversta : December 2nd, 2017-02:55
And I tend to prefer the former Lange One compared to the new ones. It is due for me to the movement lay-out. New one is more logic but the previous one was more beautiful. And since I don't really care about the instantaneous jumping date... Fx
Hi Moe,
By: skyeriding : November 24th, 2017-11:37
Since we are at it, here's a wonderful article that reviews the basic Lange calibre (found on old 1815s, and the current 35mm Saxonias): Click here While not exactly the same, I believe some of the technical insights are also applicable to the existing mo...
Hello Moe!
By: sham1 : November 22nd, 2017-22:54
I have owned both the Lange 1 and Up and Down and both were in my ownership for less than 2 months! The Lange 1 had a technical issue with its date change and had to be returned to Lang after a week. Both watches have a 72 hour power reserve but the Lange...
Thanks Sham!
By: TheWindingStem : November 24th, 2017-08:21
I went to the AD yesterday to strap both on and compare them side to side. First, i realized that i fully am attracted to the 1815. The case is interesting, the dial is so balanced, old school, detailed and those Arabic numerals are delicious! The Lange 1...
Not the dato! :-)
By: sham1 : November 24th, 2017-10:03
I have seen your wrist and the datograph is larger and a lot thicker than the 1815 chronograph not to mention it is heavier too. I will not even mention the price difference !! But then again, you mention you 'need' a big date so if you need one, you need...
I know how you feel Moe
By: NT931 : November 24th, 2017-01:13
I started with a simple time-only 1815, and within a year, I was dreaming of another Lange. Fate allowed me to get a L1, which I cherish dearly. The L1 is an iconic watch, plus the layout is quite visually interesting, so I would recommend an L1 without a...
Between the two....
By: Rhyzen : November 25th, 2017-06:30
.... I would go for the Lange 1. The dial simply grows on you, and until you have a Lange with an outsize date, you will be kept wondering about its appeal. An alternative would be the Lange 1 Time Zone, with its classic Lange 1 layout with added layers o...