I've never seen or held either one so I can't help you there.
I have 3 J-frames.
A 1995 640-1 .357. The first gun I ever bought.
A 2008 642-1 .38 Spl +P that my brother carried as his backup for 6 years.
And a 2017 60-14 .357 mag Lady Smith that has yet to be fired since leaving the factory.
IF!! I could only keep one it would have to be the 642-1 for sentimental reasons.
It has been my EDC for 6 years now but I might be replacing it with a new M&P .45 Shield M2.0 that I ordered a couple of weeks ago and I'm still waiting fir it to arrive.
I'll have to see how I like it and how nice it is to carry.