5140 vs 3940 vs ALS

[dbehsknowme]

Hey all,

Hope you're all well and that things are starting to get better.
I've yet to add a dress watch to my collection and continue to explore different pieces. I know there's been a couple threads about dress watches but here we go again.

I love the classic 3940 and 5140 look, both have been discontinued but which one do you prefer with price considered? I also love the ALS and have always wanted to add one to my collection and think a dress piece would be a great option, esp the 1815 (plain, up/down or chrono). But with the 1815 chrono we're entering into the used 5140/3940 price range and I'm wondering if I'm better off just getting the PPs.

Let me know what you guys think.

[YYR]

Get the als Pre owned

[dbfagan]

3940 or the 5140P blue dial. The 3940 is an all time classic but it’s only 36mm. The 5140 is a little larger but has the smushed dial.


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[wisguy]

3940 for me

[JorgeCCW]

Get this



So clean


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[d11n]

3940 is my vote.

[Bearxj86]

This is a tough one. The 1815 chrono is a spectacular watch.

The 3940 is iconic. 5140 is ok for me.

It would be a toss up between the 3940 and the 1815.

[kneedeep]

3940

[enjoythemusic]

3940

[WatchEater666]

Definitely the ALS. IMO the finishing is better...

[ts3]

Tough one, indeed.

My first reaction was 3940 but the basic 1815 above is just gorgeous for a simple dress watch.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Definitely the ALS. IMO the finishing is better...

Excellent point, guess i have a soft spot for the 3940. Personally, as already had the 3970, would get the ALS. If you've never had a 3940 may as well do it for a while until you grow tired of it's harder to read dial and smaller size.

ALS is the superior timepiece if we're talking quality and finishing work, plus it adheres to a more modern size.

[jon_jon]

With ALS, you either love them or you don't. If you love it, I would say get one. However If you only see ALS as a good value watch, I wouldn't get one.

Patek is well known for their perpetual calendars and getting either a 3940 or 5140 would be an excellent choice. In purchasing any pre-owned watch, if you want to keep it for some time, condition is important and not just the price. If you are planning to keep it for only a few months, just get the least expensive one.

[KBM]

The 1815 chrono is spectacular, that would be my first choice. A 5140p would come as a close second.

[Offline99]

5140. Love the others, but one is a bit small and the other is only exciting if you flip it over.


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[nyc2la]

3940, no doubt

[myporsche]

I'm guessing you read the Hodinkee article - The Two Watch Collection

Get a Lange, open up your options (besides 1815), and go preowned to save some money. The finishing and execution is high horology, the Germans are obsessed with detail and quality.

[mps354]

3940...you won’t regret it, it’s a classic

[subtona]

Really like the 3940... keep in mind this watch is more than a dress watch, it is an excellent daily wear. A white dial with casual leather strap is easily dressed down... and of course it was Mr Sterns personal choice.

Personally I went with the 5940, a bit of an outlier but I love the cushion case.

Both 3940 and 5940 are available at very fair prices.

[Calatrava r]

There is no comparing the 1815 Chrono to the 240Q. Totally different. Will you ever use the chronograph function is a big question. The 240Q lacks a seconds hand so nothing moves on the dial. So going from big-time movement to no movement would be a leap. As between the 3940 and 5140, the dial is cleaner on the older model but it is a tad smaller. The Lange at 39mm is a larger heftier watch. To me a plus of the Lange is you wear it when you want and otherwise forget about it. The 240Q probably needs to be on a winding box so not as easily stored. A good argument can be made to aspire to both the chrono and one of the 240Q models.

[Rcg412]

3940