A. Lange & Söhne

Recently I tried a Dato on a rugged calf leather strap.. I must say I like the look a lot! This triggered me to question why I always found the Dato too thick.. after all, it has the same thickness as the 5970, and I find the 5970 very wearable for my wri...  

And it looks and feels great. The bracelet somehow fixes the top-heaviness of the watch.

But may I ask how was it when you had it on a leather strap?

I just like the look on a bracelet. Try it with light gray suede strap, I think this combo looks great.

Changed it from a deployant buckle to a pin buckle and whilst it's not a light watch, I do not feel it moving around or being wiggly. Might be because my 16.5cm wrist is very flat where the watch sits. Had a Patek 5960 prior to the Dato and must say that ...  

From my personal experience and specific for my wrist, there are 2 aspects that made the Datograph top heavy compared to the similar sized 5970 1.) The caseback makes the watch sits higher on the wrist (hence your observation on the lugs being raised high... 

Firstly platinum bracelet would be too expensive and heavy.. and I worry abt using steel on a plat watch And personally for me the Dato looks best in leather especially rugged leather

The 2 datos I have tried had worn out straps.. well if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit.. the last thing I need is to resell it later on

That way it sits centered on the wrist and you don't feel the top heaviness of the case.

I will look for a piece fitted with a deployant to give it a test

Well done.

On that distressed strap

If you want a leather strap on it, buy a ss deployant. Maybe purists will have an issue with this, but I do not. With the deployant that expands on both sides, the bottom of your wrist where the deployant sits will balance out the weight of the dato. I ha... 

Awesome watch

Seems like Dato is something not meant for me

I feel there is no point to keep it in the collection, especially when it’s a rather pricey piece

Respectfully, if you are not trying the watch on with a deployant, then you are not serious about this watch.

One should need to go through so much hassle for a watch.. if I chance upon one with a deployant and it comfy, great.. the case is just not very well designed

That makes sense also with center of gravity argument of the other poster. I think the trick is to have a nice fit strap, meaning you dare not “in between holes”. I can wear all day and fits nicely on my 17cm ish wrist. ...  

If a watch doesn't fit well, it's a poor purchase for YOU, no matter how technologically admirable it is or attractive on the wrist (for others). It's a shame to find out the hard way after buying the watch, so I commend you for trying on more than a few ...