Montblanc

It is always easier to take photos of the Lange Datograph than the Montblanc Villeret grand feu email chronograph. The Dato has anti reflective crystal on both sides, whereas the Montblanc has a hunter case back. which I absolutely adore but it does make photography of the movement more difficult.... I can still enjoy the beautifully finished Minerva calibre but how I wish I can share it nicer with you guys here). Fortunately you can still see the 13.21 calibre very clearly on photos of the new Meisterstuck Heritage Pulsograph (same movement as mine) which does not have the hunter caseback.

As I have owned these 2 for quite some time (11 months for the Dato and 7 months for the MB Villeret), here's a quick sharing of my ownership experience, trying to rate the 2 watches:

Dial:

> I prefer the MB Villeret's black grand feu enamel dial. It's so rich and full of depth my photos do no justice to it! It's harder to read the time under low lighting conditions, compared to the Dato with lume hands but that's not a big problem to me as I can tilt the watch a bit on my wrist to read the time easily. The design of the Montblanc Villeret's dial is so unique and charming I also prefer the dial design slightly to the Dato.

> Don't get me wrong - the Dato's dial is very handsome too and I love it but the MB Villeret pips it a bit

Case/Sapphire glass:

> Here I like very much the MB Villeret's elegantly shaped case with nice curves at the lugs and case back in terms of design. The very thick sapphire glass also makes it look very nice and exclusive/rare/high end. It is made in white gold and every aspect of it shouts luxury and rarity.

> However, the Dato's case is platinum and also beautifully crafted with a mix of brushed and polish parts. Size wise for my small wrist, the Dato at 39mm wears better for me and I enjoy the heft of the platinum case.

> I would say it's a almost draw for me between the 2 but the Dato's case is preferred slightly by me mainly due to its smaller size and hence comfort on my wrist (to be clear, my wrist is VERY slim!). 

Pusher feel:

> Both have very soft chrono pushers and feels creamy when you engage/disengage/resets the chronograph. The MB Villeret is a monopusher and more special in that sense (I enjoy a start/stop/reset on the same pusher). > The Dato has a flyback function though.

> It's a draw for me here. Both have the best pusher feel amongst many chronos I have tried.

Winding feel:

> Again a draw for me. Both manual watches are very enjoyable to wind. Creamy like butter!

> Crowns of both are nicely sized for easy winding

Movement:

> Most people say the Lange Dato has a nicer movement when I showed them both. I agree at first glance with its more colorful appearance with untreated German silver and blued screws. The MB Villeret's movement is also made of German silver but it is rhodium plated, giving it a less colorful and more discreet look, more in line with traditional swiss fine watchmaking (think PP, Lemania used by VC, etc chronograph movements - they all look "muted" compared to the Lange Datograph although they are equally well finished). The Dato's movement also feels it is more layered and 3D than the MB Villeret's.

> Upon closer look for a prolonged period of time....  I actually feel I prefer the MB Villeret's movement! The Minerva arrow head is just so romantic and well finished. The more discreet yet superbly executed finishing seems to win me over more than the Dato (which I also love but have a feel it looks a bit more complex). All in all, I feel the MB Villeret's 13.21 calibre has a more enduring look and I can stare at it for a long time and smile. The Dato's movement wows me more upfront but I won't keep coming back to look at it. Maybe I just like to open the MB Villeret's hunter case back!

Conclusion:

I still like them both, EQUALLY! Sorry if you were expecting me to conclude which one I prefer, At this level of fine watch making for chronographs, it is impossible for me to rate one higher than the other. I can only conclude the Dato excites me as an iconic piece with a collectibility factor that is unrivaled and a movement that never fails to wow me, whereas the Montblanc Villeret is warms me up each time I wear it or hold on to it, with a very romantic feeling being very rare (piece 1 of 8 LE) and unique. 

Simply put: the Dato is more like a sexy trophy wife, whereas the Montblanc Villeret is more like a virtuous, romantic wife.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy the eye candy. I hope I can take better pictures next time (am learning).

Which one do you prefer?

Cheers

robin

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