A. Lange & Söhne

The recent presentation of the Lange Sohne 1815 Rattrapante PC gives me the opportunity to make a syde-by-side comparison with his Patek alter-ego, the 5204. If Patek remains the most prestigious brand, Lange, since the unveiling of its first contemporary...  

You answered many questions on my mind, which is now made up I have one question though - would you prefer the PT or RG version of the Lange, and why? Million thanks and cheers Sam ...  

...the Platinum one. Why? Even if I'm a PG guy, I prefer due to the size of the watch a neutral colour. Moreover, I think that the blued hands of the chronograph combine better with a platinum case. Even if the watch becomes heavier, I prefer the PT versi...  

comparing a Ferrari to a Porsche, or a BMW to a Mercedes Benz or other more Exotic v another Exotic. I have a leaning already but this is unfair as it has more to do with "politics" than real High Horology. So, for now, I will quietly read your article, d... 

I had a lot of pleasure to write it and the unveiling of the 1815 gave me this opportunity. Fx

I think that I would have come to the same conclusions, yes I definitely prefer the dial lay out of the Patek but the hands are not very nice and combined with the heavy and uneven index markers makes it look heavy compared to the Lange. I have not had th... 

... i heard that on the production version of the 5204P, we'll have gold hands and indexes. This should give a totally new feel, even though i love this one. What bothers me in Lange is : - Power reserve took the prime location for nothing. Anyway with su... 

I think that there is another reason for Lange to not use the big date: to preserve a reasonable movement height. With a big date, the movement would have been much thicker. Thanks a lot for your detailed comments! I agree with some on them even if at the... 

for a fascinating dual. A difficult one to call as it goes down to the wire. I wish you had the PT. Lange for comparison instead of RG. Anyway, both are winners in my books. Hmmm, if forced to take one, I may choose the ....... something to sleep on I thi... 

I could only publish the wristshot of the PT version but not the other pics. If I have the chance to shoot it again, I will publish them. Thanks for your comments! Fx ...  

Thank you for the write up. It is a wonderful comparison of two horological heavyweights. Although an unabashed Lange fan, I prefer the 5204p in this incarnation. Nevertheless, I would be delighted to own either one! OpC

thanks a lot! In the end I would still prefer the Lange but the Patek comes very close in this comparison. Best Andreas

BTW, I was in Köln a few weeks ago but for profesionnal reasons: I couldn't contact you because I didn't have any free time. Next time I hope! Fx

Excellent post, Francois! I do have a question however. With the new generation of perpetual chronos, Patek took a massive step.....backward. Previously with the 3970 and 5970, all calendar indications could be advanced one day with a pusher at 11 o'clock... 

Thanks for your comments! Fx

So I copy and paste it: Yes, the new 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar is equipped with the same system for resetting all calendar indications together as the Datograph Perpetual. The difference is that because of the Rattrapante pusher at 10 o'clock th... 

Yes indeed. This is a very important plus for Lange in this comparison. Actually it is a huge point one that decides the issue completely. Game, set, match......Lange.

In addition, the bulbous-bottom chrono seconds hands in Patek are so bulky that they become distracting (just look at the black ink splash at the middle of the picture) and block the 31,1 dates when re-set. Older 5004 had the very slender chrono seconds h... 

Thank you Foversta for this interesting comparison. A battle among the giants! I love the aesthetics of the 5004, the movement was interesting despite it not being in-house, the size, dial layout, and buttons are all beautiful and classic. The 5204 has a ... 

Me too I was very seduced by the 5004 but it is a watch I've never trusted... But what a beauty! Fx

Thank you for this wonderful post. I am an expert of neither brand, but a fan of both. My honest choice here is definitely the Lange. It has a much more special feel to my heart than the Patek does. Considering your detailed remarks, I'm sure I could conv... 

You know, even after a detailed side by side comparison, only the heart speaks... Fx

I can't imagine owning either, so I appreciate your excellent comparison and pictures.

Me either I can't imagine to own one of them but I had the same pleasure to write the article! Fx

I prefer the Lange design and finishing to the Patek. The finishing on the Lange movement stands out more without being gaudy, as you said. It looks like more effort was put in to that side of the watch. I would prefer the longer power reserve of the Pate... 

There is pros and cons about the power reserve display: after all, we know that we have to wind it everyday but I think it is a good idea on a PC watch. Fx

for your comprehensive comparison which also offers some food for thought. I understand that you didn´t have proper pictures from the Lange PT version, but maybe the comparison would have been slighty different in result - at least in some points. FX, I h...  

and the picture you have manage to give us of the 2 watches in question with the added white metal one, thank you. I do agree with you that these two magnificent time keepers do not attain the pinnacle of horological movements, I think that the Patek Phil... 

I understand your point of view on both Manufactures. You are right to be demanding with such brands. Thanks a lot for your feelings. Fx

but, in no way , does it LOOK like it's price tag, to me. Whereas the Lange LOOKS like its price tag. If I were a buyer for these, it would be Lange.

This counts for both of them. The Lange is not state of the art enough with low pr and no isolator and the Patek too traditional by paying an unreasonably amount of credit to tradition resulting in 60 little flaws. What is than the key factor in buying on... 

It is a bit the conclusion: there is no clear winner here... Fx

.... In my opinion, its dial outshines the Patek, and is daringly original and fresh without being tacky. Another clear winner by ALS.

Me too, I have a soft love for the 1815 dial: I find it more appealing to my eyes. Fx

Even if this movement is maybe not as impressive than the DS one, it is still a beautiful one. Fx

I was enthusiasmed by the Lange when I saw it through the windows of the Lange booth at the SIHH, but your detailed pictures make me prefer the Patek. On all the cirterias you mentionned, even on the movement layout. I odn't like these two lost bridges in... 

Me either, I'm not a great fan of the 2 holes... but I have to confess that they make the subdials clearer... an unique hand per subdial is a very positive result. Fx

Hands down. Anytime. Danke for the interesting clash report though! Tschuss Stephen

Like you my heart goes to Lange.. and I tried to put some unbiased reasons in my choice! ;) fx

Thanks a lot for your detailed comparision of the two great watches!

Especially for dial and movement lay out, Patek has shown an aesthetically more pleasant work. Patek has "something" that Lange is missing. Having said that, Lange is till my favourite brand. Regards Ling

The little something is maybe what we call the "prestige"? Fx

"Prestige" does not make one watch looks nicer than the other. It may be due to their rich traditional background which has created strong culture within the organisation. This one, they did it right but not many others. I am confused. Regards Ling

Patek is the number one for its technical horology,on the other hand i like the colours of Lange so my choice would be course this is a cosmetic choice...

It is after all what we see first and most of the time... Thanks! Fx

I agreed with all your points and comments. Please keep them coming. BTW, Lange is a better watch in my view too. Thanks and best regards, Punpakorn

And photos. Both are magnificent pieces and very worthy contenders. I am not proficient enough to pass judgement on which one is better than the other. Plenty for's and against have already been said. The movements on both pieces are true wprks of art and... 

Whenever I look at this Lange movement I am ever so slightly underwhelmed. I don't like how the balance is buried, it takes away from the visual balance. Also the movement doesn't seem to have quite the depth, that miniature city under sapphire feel, that... 

I love things that are clean, straightforward and just harmonious. For me the Patek wins hands down. I am a big fan of Lange but not this model range. A zeitwerk, yes! A simple 1815 yes! A datograph, yes please! But here Patek wins my heart with its more ... 

How can you accept it in such an high end movement? lange has lost more credits at my eyes.... ...  

... the third time, in my recollection. But thank you for pointing this out as it is easily overlooked. Moritz

I thought it was very unsightly... And the balance wheel is totally hidden

it's unacceptable in what we recognize as one of the best manufacturer of watches. they are artful because many pictures hide the wire spring!

It was an incredible read and a perfect comparison. Thanks a bunch Xavier!

.. at the Lange boutique at the Dubai Mall recently. A true dream watch if there ever was one :D Bit out of reach at the moment but will look for a 1st gen Datograph soon. Anyway I had a long discussion with the sales lady about the watch and she mentione...  

And can you please thank the nice lady the next time you see her? ;) I really enjoyed your message! Fx

This is my first post on this forum, where I am clearly in the midst of very knowledgeable collectors (I am an newbie). I have been considering a watch purchase for some time, and what interested me most was the Patek 3940P and the Journe Platinum Octa Au... 

On ur new acquisitions.. Abt your power reserve question, the 1815 perpetual split Chrono has a power reserve of 42hrs only.. Which means you will need to wind the watch Everyday and thus makes the power indicator unnecessary..

I would think that even if a manual wind was to be wound every day (no fun I imagine if you do not wear the watch every day and go away at times for a few days), it would seem useful to know when wearing the watch the amount of power reserve (especially i... 

How do you compare the feel of the chrono pushers for these 2 watches, in particular when you activate the split second mechanism. Which one requires more strength and which one is more coherent in terms of activating the chrono pusher followed by the spl... 

After acquiring the 1815 Rattrapante, yesterday I had the once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity the compare it directly with it`s pendant: The Patek 5204P. Another clash Both the Platinum Versions, these versions are the ones I like most of each watch. The most ...