Dato Up/Down or Gen1

[soonasu]

Hey all!

A few weeks ago, I asked for help deciding between a white and black 1815 chrono. Long story short, I went to the boutique, saw a dato and now am totally smitten.

However I cant decide between a Gen 1 and a Gen 2! I plan on wearing it as a daily or near daily.

Pros for a Gen1:

- Collectability: its the original, and early dials have a slight misprint

- Its slightly cheaper, ever so slightly and it comes with a deployant.

- 39 mm case is likely to stay more classic over the years. My wrist can luckily fit both the 39 and 41 though.

- Symmetry between the Roman Numerals

- Less likely to take a value hit, might even appreciate a little since the one I am eying is earlier and has a METER dial

Neutral for me:

- Roman numerals themselves. I know some people are charmed by it, but for a non-vintage inspired watch it feels a bit contrived to my eyes. I was extremely young when the Dato came out, so I didnt grow up with the image of the Dato having the roman numerals, whereas a lot of people here/on other sites seem to have a romanticism associated with the old roman numeral datos. Honestly if I wanted a roman numeral classic dato, Id opt for a VC Cornes de Vache.

Cons:

- The two I found at a decent price are likely made pre 2004, meaning they do not have the titanium springbar inserts present on more modern Lange's that prevent lug egress when using other spring bars. I am not the best with a springbar tool so ill probably scratch the crap out of the lugs.

- The aspect ratio is not as strong in my eyes, although if you calculate the aspect ratio they are pretty similar (although the U/D is less if you use lug to lug).

- I hear they are not the most comfortable to wear.

- Might need a service sometime soon

Pros for a Gen 2:

- I like the more minimalist dial. Seems more in line with the spirit of Lange and maybe even a bit more timeless, although I only became of age after the Richemont aquisition of Lange. I appreciate the empty space and baton markers letting you really focus on the triangle created by the date and chrono pushers.

- I like the little accent of color the Power Reserve adds to the dial.

- Has titanium spring bar inserts, so I can use quick change straps

- Likely does not need a service since it is newer

- I like the shorter lugs in side by side pics. Its probably imperceptible in real life unless you had them both side by side, but when flipping back and forth between pictures, its notable.

Neutrals:

- It is thicker. I dont wear suits often though so its probably fine.

Cons:

- The one I am eyeing comes with a regular tang, rather than a deployant. A lange deployant would cost me 5k on the after market, or almost 10k used after tax.

- The Gen2 is somehow slightly more expensive than a Gen1 w/ deployant (4k diff, maybe?)

- 41mm size might go out of style, although the black dial does make it feel a bit smaller than its rated size

Welcome any thoughts!