Lange 1815 Chrono & Patek 3940: Two-Watch Collection

Chromatic Fugue · 2019-12-08T10:35:20Z

Explore the 'two-watch collection' concept with A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph and Patek Philippe 3940. Discuss ideal minimalist collections and brand comparisons.

Chromatic Fugue

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

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Chromatic Fugue delves into the concept of a 'two-watch collection,' inspired by Ben Clymer's choices, and shares his own journey to acquiring an A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph and a Patek Philippe 3940. He articulates how these two pieces, representing distinct horological traditions and complications, form a complementary and deeply satisfying duo, prompting the community to consider their own ideal minimalist collections.

I recently came across an online article called "the Two-Watch Collection," which imagines what the author (Ben Clymer) would keep if he winnowed his personal collection down to just two watches. He chose the Lange 1815 chrono and the Patek 3940. I've never met him, but he and I must have something in common, because this year I replicated his notional two-watch collection without quite meaning to do so. In the spring, I came close to buying the Datograph, which was always a grail for me, but reluctantly decided that it overwhelmed my wrist. A few months later I tried on the Dato's smaller, date-less sibling -- a first-generation 1815 Chrono -- and that one was irresistibly perfect. Then last month, with a Patek gap in my collection for the first time in ten years, I got interested in current-production perpetual calendars -- particularly the blue-dial 5140P. Many of you on this forum gently (or not-so-gently) guided me to that reference's predecessor, the 3940. I found a platinum model that checked every box.

As Clymer noticed, each of these models is outstanding in its own right, but the whole is somehow greater than the sum of the parts. Outside, you have perfect representatives of two design traditions: Swiss and teutonic. Inside, you have two movements that help define modern watchmaking. The ultra-thin 240 Q movement in the 3940 was Patek's defiant response to the quartz crisis in 1985. And the in-house chrono movement in the 1815 Chrono marked Lange's triumphant reentry into the market a decade later (although it appeared first only in the Dato). The Lange has no date function and specializes in measuring elapsed time to the fraction of a second. The Patek has no seconds hand but can tell you the day, date, month, phase of the moon, and where you are in the four-year Gregorian cycle.

I don't have a favorite between these two; each is stupendous in its own way. The Patek fits my thin wrist somewhat better than the Lange, but that's the fault of my wrist, not the Lange, which is reasonably sized for a chrono:

The Lange is much easier to wear in rotation with other watches. If it sits unwound for a few weeks, no big deal -- it takes maybe ten seconds to set the time. The Patek is, well, a perpetual calendar.

The platinum of the Patek's case is crisp and bright and gives the watch a sense of mass that alludes to the horological weight of the complications inside.

The Lange's case is made of the euphoric rose gold alloy that Lange has perfected better than any other watch brand I know of, and it really does warm the soul on cold winter days.

Anyway, I look forward to many years of (bigamous) marital bliss with both watches. Thanks for reading! - Jon

About the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5140

The Patek Philippe Reference 5140 is a perpetual calendar wristwatch, succeeding the highly regarded Reference 3940. It maintains the classic Patek Philippe perpetual calendar layout, featuring day, date, month, leap year, and moon phase indications. The 5140 was introduced with a slightly larger case diameter than its predecessor, reflecting contemporary preferences while retaining a traditional aesthetic.

This reference is powered by the ultra-thin self-winding Caliber 240 Q, known for its micro-rotor construction which allows for a slender case profile. The movement provides a power reserve of 48 hours. The watch is presented in 18k white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold cases, measuring 39 mm in diameter, and is fitted with a sapphire crystal. It offers water resistance to 30 meters.

The 5140 appeals to collectors seeking a modern perpetual calendar with a direct lineage to Patek Philippe's established complications. Its production run from 2006 to 2019 saw various dial configurations, including opaline and silvery finishes. The watch is typically paired with a leather strap and a deployant clasp, consistent with Patek Philippe's classic offerings.

Specifications

Caliber: 240 Q

Case: 18k White Gold, Rose Gold, or Yellow Gold

Diameter: 39 mm

Dial: Opaline, Silvery

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

While the author's two-watch collection is exceptional, many collectors find it unrealistic for daily wear, emphasizing the need for a robust bracelet sports watch for activities like beaching, hiking, or golfing.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph is praised for its wearability and ease of setting after periods of inactivity, making it practical for rotation.
The Patek Philippe 3940, with its ultra-thin 240 Q movement, is historically significant as Patek's response to the quartz crisis, showcasing enduring horological weight.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph's in-house movement marked Lange's triumphant reentry into the market, initially appearing in the Datograph.
Some collectors argue that Patek Philippe's finishing at the medium-to-lower end of its range has been inconsistent in recent decades, leading some to prefer brands like Vacheron Constantin.
A truly comprehensive collection, even a minimalist one, might require additional complications like a GMT/World Time or a robust daily beater, beyond just a chronograph and perpetual calendar.

The Discussion

Clueless_Collector

Dec 8, 2019

No question the two you have are one the best representative in their respective category. Like you, I prefer the 1815 Chrono and I have yet to find my dream PC because I intend to own just 1 of each complication to avoid redundancy but ironically we own many watches that tell time. Honestly I cannot just have 2 watches only, let’s not kid ourselves here, haha....For me, I need a bracelet watch at least as a daily beater. You can list it by complication or functions: 1. Mechanical Chrono - dress

mahesh

Dec 8, 2019

interesting... Ben Clymer owns a Philippe Dufour he neither choose it nor the speedy that was a gift from his grandfather (which was eventually the story behind start of H) ! may be his thoughts were not for his own 2 watch collection ;-) Best, mahesh.,

TheMadDruid

Dec 8, 2019

They fully participated in the move to quartz movements and made a hell of a lot of money doing so. The two watches you chose for a “two watch “ collection are as worthy as any two you could pick. But your very choices prove that a two watch collection is unachievable. Neither are appropriate for so many normal activities; beaching, hiking, golfing, getting drunk, throwing a ball, sexing or anything that can lead to sweating. You absolutely need a bracelet watch and steel watch you don’t mind sc

jkvs

Dec 8, 2019

Your choice is absolutes brilliant and easy to understand. Both of the watches can hardly be topped, and they represent Swiss and German watchmaking at its very, very best. I made my choice the other way round: a perpetual calendar from Lange and a chrono from Patek...

Brandon Skinner

Dec 8, 2019

I love your photography and your reasoning behind choosing this pair as a perfect 2 watch collection. Personally, I would also choose the 1815 Chrono over the Datograph as well. This for sure is a dynamic duo but I can’t imagine living without at least one steel sports watch. If you had to pick one sports watch to complement the Lange

Clueless_Collector

Dec 8, 2019

So are Bulgari, Omega and Grand Seiko who appointed them as AD?

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Lange 1815 Chrono & Patek 3940: Two-Watch Collection

About the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5140

Specifications

About the Patek Philippe Grand Complications Ref. 3940

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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