A. Lange & Söhne

After I've had my 1815 for almost a year I am considering getting my second Lange. The 1815 proved to be a great choice and a daily wearer. A perfect entry into the Lange world. Here is a fresh wrist shot in front of my record collection:





I have decided that my second Lange should be a Lange 1, but I'm not sure which one yet. The following options are on the list:

1. Daymatic
Despite the flipped dial I am strongly drawn to the Daymatic. The size is perfect and it's a very powerful watch. The movement is automatic, but the decoration is outstanding. Here it is in rose gold and platinum:






2. Lange 1 Moonphase
The Lange 1 Moonphase is an EXTREMELY beautiful watch, probably the most beautiful watch I've ever seen. In terms of pure beauty and poetry it hard to beat. But could it be too poetic for a business outfit? It also wears significantly smaller than my 1815 (see third picture). Still, one of my favorites.








3. New Lange 1 rose gold
The next one is the new Lange 1 in rose gold. A beautiful watch for sure, but quite sober if you compare it with the MP (which is not necessarily a bad thing).






4. New Lange 1 white gold
Usually I prefer white metal over rose gold, but unfortunately the lume does not work very well in the context of this watch, IMO (it works great with the MP).




5. Grande Lange 1 WG
The Grand Lange 1 WG was also on my list, but it turned out that it is far too big on my (17,5 cm) wrist for a dess watch. The size would be more suitable for a sports watch. Legibility of this watch is also quite poor. Thumbs down.




So which one would you choose? I look forward to hearing your views!

Best,
Matthias

Best wishes

Alkiro

Different metal and automatic movement as opposed to your 1815. Good contrast I think.

Next on list I would put the Lange 1 moonphase, simply gorgeous.

But for people wearing their watches on the left I prefer the layout of the Daymatic. Makes more sense even though I can appreciate the symmetry argument that is often seen as the case for why Lange generally puts the time display on the left side of the dial.

Best of luck in choosing! Hard to go wrong with any of the choices you lined up. Go with what speaks to you the most!

Best wishes

Alkiro

is more powerful, the MP more charming and poetic. Very difficult choice. Both are also my favorites. Thanks keks.

So did you let yours go?

Best wishes

Alkiro

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I would totally fall for the beauty and poetry of the L1 Moonphase. Smaller, yes, but I think it looks good on your wrist. It would also be a great contrast to the more subdued white gold 1815, certainly moreso than the other white gold L1 offerings (even though they are wonderful in their own right).

Cheers,

John

Because it features the former Lange 1 movement (I find it more beautiful) and because it has a charming complication perfectly integrated into the dial.




Fx

The MP is indeed extremely charming and has the advantage of the hw movement. It's a masterpiece, IMO, and looks even better in the flesh. But does it work in a business context?

Daymattic platinum

Unfortunately the Daymatic platinum has one downside: It's hefty price tag! And I haven't seen a pre-owned yet. So it's unlikely that I will end up with it.

Life used to be simpler when there were only a few Lange models, but now, as long as your wallet allows, there are so many possible choices.  Since you already have an 1815, you cannot go wrong with a L1.  Whether you choose the MP, the classic (new or old), or the Daymatic (yes, to me it is still a L1, albeit with an auto), you can't wrong.  I can see many sleepless nights tossing over this decision.  Good luck!

The choice of metal is the biggest decision-RG, or (my favorite) the YG with Champagne dial. It is so rich-looking it affects me like a Chocolate Torte.

No second thought.

But I happen to love the moon phase complication (even though I hardly ever set it correctly).  I don't think there is a problem at all wearing this watch with either casual dress or business suit.

My first Lange watch bought almost 5 years ago and I love it every time I wear it, in formal or less formal occasions, and lately my wife wears it a lot too.

Out of choices given will go for Lange 1 moon phase in RG as it is simply gorgeous.

First question: automatic vs. manual? I went with manual. The Daymatik looks "backwards" to me, and the winding of the manual Lange 1 has such a great tactile feel. I also find the power reserve complication more useful than day of the week. And I dislike the red S on the Daymatik.

...and I must I wish I can do the same...
But for funding reasons I think I shall have to choose between RG moonphase and Pt time only Lange 1.
I absolutely love both but I am much more a white metal guy and the RG option might have little wristtime only in spite of its beauty...
The combination of both (moonphase + Pt) would be ideal but I can't go wrong with any Lange 1 option anyhow .
Let's work on it...

Lots of great advice was posted already and in any event I think this is a very personal decision.  Here's another perspective to consider though.

"Bet you can't eat just one" applies to more than just potato chips (as in that famous tv commercial).  After you add an L1 to your collection you may soon find yourself contemplating a third Lange.  If it is truly a tough call choosing between the L1s, perhaps you should consider what could conceivably come next.  For example, if you wanted a representative of the Saxonia family, the new Saxonia Moon Phase is a beautiful timepiece. If you think that might be on the horizon, then that might impact your choice of the L1 Moon vs. the alternatives . . . 

Thank you all for your comments. It's time for a résumé.

The Lange 1 MP is the clear winner by points. It is indeed a wonderful watch and I loved it very much when I tried it.

I have to admit that I have another favourite, though: It's the Daymatic in platinum. I feel strongly drawn to this watch and find it perfect in every conceivable way. The flipped dial is ununsual and not as harmonious as the original, but it also gives the watch spice and freshness. The movement is automatic, yes, but just look at the finish and decoration! And the size is just perfect for my wrist (I find the normal Lange 1 a tad too small). So I will probably save up a little longer and pull the trigger for the Daymatic when the time comes.

As for the other suggestions: I am not convinced of the Saxonia MP. This watch is a bit too obvious (JLC and GP have similar offerings) and the movement is not up to Lange standards (though still very nice when compared to the competition). It's a nice watch, but I would not buy it.

If I can ever afford a third Lange, it would probably be a chronograph. The 1815 Boutique Edition is a stunner.

Best,

Matthias

... and an 1815 Boutique Edition chrono. I wonder, if you got an 1815 Boutique Edition chrono, if you'd keep your 1815!

I couldn't tell without actually owning both. But it might be good to keep a simple time only watch in addition to the chrono. Anyway, this is not a question I need to solve anytime soon.

comparison. I must admit that when I was in the process of deciding I had discussions with others who were passionate about the fact that the original L1 was the purist form of the model.