ALS 1815 Chrono vs Patek 5960g

[NardinNut]

Alright, I’m going to do one of those dreaded this-or-that threads. I’m really hung up on the decision of which to choose. One of these two will be my next watch. I just can’t decide.

On one hand, the ALS 1815 chrono is one of the pinnacle manual chronographs. It’s stunning. Then you flip it over and holy sh*t the most visually brilliant movement on the market. Add to that, I’m a HUGE manual wound chrono fan. I currently own the PP 5170g (white dial), Omega 321 Speedy, and feel the 1815 chrono would be a great addition to round the trifecta. I’m looking at the black dial version to complement the white dial of my 5170.

Then there’s the PP 5960g. It’s Patek’s first in-house automatic chrono with annual calendar. It’s more sporty, I no longer wear a suit so all my watches end up on more casual straps, so I feel like I can play with straps more. I’ve never owned an annual calendar, so that’s missing in my collection (however I change out watches often so would need it on the winder). And it’s more limited only being released in 2017, from my understanding (the blue dial version specifically). I’m also a huge PP fan, although I’ve never owned an ALS.

So there’s my dilemma, which to get. Yes it would be great to own both, but not happening (for now). I don’t have the ability to see either in person, so I would love to hear owners opinions on either, and just have fun hearing which one other members would choose.

Photos of each I borrowed from the web:

[kunlun]

Between those two, ALS x 1,000,000

[jjnd08]

Lange; you laid out the reasons well.

[yoast]

ALS in this case but I would take a 5070 over both

[bioyuki]

I’m a huge Patek chrono fan, but hands down the 1815 over the 5960G

[misochew]

For this matchup, ALS is no brainer, and twice on Sunday. if it was vs 5172, much tougher choice

[le_baron]

ALS. Hands down!

[Steele]

Yeah I have to say I love both watches but especially in that gold with black dial configuration 100X the ALS

[mbalmz]

gotta go ALS here.

[ButtButt]

1815 easily. I have some of the same/similar watches as you and I also never wear suits.

[ChetBaker]

1815. I had a 5960G that I recently traded up for a 5172. Mainly for two reasons: 1. the 5960G case is thick and a little uninspired 2. While a nice combination of functions, nothing beats a manual chrono or a perpetual calendar. The 5960 is neither and that started bugging me. I also looked at the black 1815 and the only reason I did not go for it was that I couldn’t find one near me to try on.

[cascavel]

Thanks for making the choice such an easy one: Lange 1815.

[joli160]

1815

[NardinNut]

Wow the ALS is overwhelmingly winning. Confirms what my heart has been trying to tell me.

It’s funny, I haven’t looked at pics of both of them together until I made this thread. Now looking at the pictures together the ALS really stands out as such a beautiful piece.

[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by yoast

ALS in this case but I would take a 5070 over both

I absolutely love the 5070, the blue dial platinum specifically, but that is in a different price league (and I have the 5170).

[NardinNut]

Originally Posted by ChetBaker

1815. I had a 5960G that I recently traded up for a 5172. Mainly for two reasons: 1. the 5960G case is thick and a little uninspired 2. While a nice combination of functions, nothing beats a manual chrono or a perpetual calendar. The 5960 is neither and that started bugging me. I also looked at the black 1815 and the only reason I did not go for it was that I couldn’t find one near me to try on.

Thanks for this insight. The case thickness of the 5960 was my biggest hangup. When dealing with this level of Horology I really expect, and appreciate, a slim case. Granted there’s a bunch packed in there but anything over 12mm gives me pause.

And I agree, nothing beats a manual chronograph! My 5170 cemented my love and obsession for manual chronos

[1William]

ALS hands down.

[GB-man]

ALS for sure but man you’ve reminded me that dial combo is excellent on the patek. A classic look paired with that brown strap.

[dbfagan]

ALS all day. If you had said 5070 then maybe a different discussion

[ts3]

ALS for me too.

Not a fan of the triple cutout AC with the left and right windows having different fonts and widths and at 13.5mm the 5960 is too thick for me anyway. But I'd love for Patek to make a 5960 style chrono w/o AC at 11-12mm (no date or simple date). There is the 5968 but that is awfully large and the even thinner 5975 lacks the chrono counter.

[PhilLynott]

I'm with the crowd on this one. I'd go ALS now and maybe down the road add your favorite Patek annual calendar separately.

[NYG1121]

ALS is the king of manually wound chronographs with the Dato and 1815 Chrono. No brainer with this comparison to go with ALS. I have the 1815 chrono first gen and it is so wearable.

[NardinNut]

Thank you everyone for your opinions. This has been helpful.

[Max7857]

Absolutely the ALS.

[MichelleP]

Another vote for Lange

[hgg43c]

Having owned the 5960G I can say it’s an amazing watch with a lot of features (automatic chronograph and annual calendar) but damm tough to read - right now on the secondary market I think it’s probably a good deal. But….no one should buy a watch based entirely on a deal the watch should move you to pull that trigger and open your wallet. I traded this watch for something else a while back.

BTW i never had my 5960 on a winder.
Last point, I think between the two go with the 1815 chrono




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[mps354]

Originally Posted by yoast

ALS in this case but I would take a 5070 over both

Was thinking the same. But, of the 2 you are considering, I’d go ALS

[mongrelnomoad]

Lange 100%

[Vipes]

manual wind chrono > auto

Lange 1815 < Patek 5170 or 5070

[Deppe]

I had the 1815 Chrono and also have the 5170G - never bonded with the 1815. Although the 1816 chrono and the 5170G are almost equal thick on paper, I think the 5170 wears so much better - it just feels slimmer.

Of course, nothing beats the look of the 1815 movement, although the 5170 is not bad looking either. I have no experience with the 5960G unfortunately.