A. Lange & Söhne

Yet more of this most excellent watch, the first gen DS, reportedly the best finishing Lange has ever done, and compared to the Patek 5170p. This was another exercise done for a watch group I recently joined, I do hope you enjoy and would very much apprec...  

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Both are absolutely wonderful and unique in their own way. I have to admit, while I find the Lange to be a more pleasing view primarily due to the use of German silver and the hand engraved balance cock, beyond that I'm in the camp that says the two are f... 

Yes, makes sense why great craftspeople are starting / joining 'smaller' independents. It truly does bring joy that impressively talented parts and watchmakers are now able to produce the quality they know is possible beyond typical 'corporate standards'.... 

Keep in mind, Lange movement parts are made of German Silver which is a material where a higher polish is able to be achieved, compared to the rhodium plated brass movement parts that Geneve style manufacturers use. Thus, a comparison between the two isn'... 

The thickness gives a special rigidity among other things. Finishing ultra-thin movement parts is exceptionally difficult, as the parts are so thin that you don't want to damage them or distort them while finishing them. Neither of these are ultra-thin mo... 

But a fairer comparison would probably be 5170 vs 2nd Gen 1815 chrono. Introduced around the same time and same level of complications.

Vacheron is currently better it appears in an apples to apples comparison. Lange is of course a wonderful "orange."

i count 2 or 4 on the lange depending on how you count.

And it's not like it's a recent practice. But their most recent movements are especially egregious; see pics attached. The 31-260 is incredibly cheesy in its execution of avoiding as much as possible having internal anglage, to the point it feels like the...  

It makes you wonder how much theyre able to automate in the new facilities they’ve built.

Also, I don’t understand why Patek puts a cap on the column wheel. It’s one of the most fascinating parts of the movement. Why cover it? The cap looks like something unappealing is being hidden and there’s nothing attractive or interesting about it. ... 

Something about column wheels having to be capped or nicely decorated in some manner, not simply left unadorned. Vacheron Constantin's chronograph column wheels aren't capped like Patek's are, yet have the Geneva Seal, though, so I'm sure there's somethin... 

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It seems to be the internet-wide default position that Lange finishing is better than Patek's. Maybe true, maybe not. However, when I look at photos like these, I don't see any observable difference in finishing quality. Yes, the style is very different, ... 

the position that Lange is better finished than Patek (at this price point) is based on a number of factors but one such example is Philippe Dufour asserting Lange was the best finished production watches (or some such). I also personally see the anglage ... 

but that patek has no inward angles on their new mid range movements whereas vacheron does (as does this lange) is pretty specific. Patek had inward angles on the 5070g. Also the width of the anglage i guess i'd need to highlight where the width of the pa... 

Seeing them in 3D is far better than a flat photo from directly above. I don’t think I can post links (bc it’s sales) but google old sales videos from a well known online reseller… forward to the points where inevitably he turns the watch over and talks a... 

I’m less interested in overall impressions, which are prone to style preferences, and more interested in specific details that folks feel distinguish the quality of finishing execution between one movement and the other.

Whenever anyone says "a Lange ___ movement needs to be compared with an equivalent Patek ___" movement, I wonder, "Exactly how much time, effort, and skill does it take to build and finish each of those supposedly comparable movements?" I'm less intereste... 

I’ve heard the only sad thing about Lange movements is that the patina on the german silver disappears upon factory servicing.

Really glad we have this discussion going, I am learning quite a bit as I read through these response and online articles. Let’s keep going with more specifics please

A better comparison I venture to suggest is to compare the 5370 movement to the Double split. The 5370, and all the more complicated pieces above it in the Patek Grand Complications line up, are double assembled just like the Lange and the finishing is su... 

.... Where every single detail is under scrutiny. Lange is clearly in a class of its own.

I will say that I’d take the finishing and wearability and dial beauty of the Patek over the Lange. Sure I have a horse in this race, but my decision was based on the above. Finishing alone is not the end all be all. Patek excels in the total package. I f... 

I agree that Patek dials and case shapes are generally more creative and more artistic than Lange, and I typically find them more attractive. It seems like some are offended if Patek isn’t voted best in every area. In the area that OP was asking about (mo... 

There are always compromises that have to be made. Lange is not only ahead in movement finishing but also in price. Most Langes offer great value when compared to similar pieces from their competitors. An 1815 chrono vs a 5170 is an example.

Had my Gen 1 Datograph on and had the opportunity to compare to a Patek 5960. I would pick the Lange as better across the board. Design, feel, presence, dial, movement, finishing…. It is basically a rout. Of course a lot of this is personal preference of ... 

Few things in life are better than a Gen 1 Dato. As for Dato vs 5170p, a much harder decision. Dato wins the movement and the 5170 wins dial and case (for me).