Why I Bought It: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus (A Photofest!)
by GaryG
At SIHH 2019, I had the enjoyable opportunity to meet privately for a few minutes with A. Lange & Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid and Anthony de Haas, director of product development for the brand.
In the center of the table was a tray covered with a cloth, which they soon drew back to reveal something that many Lange enthusiasts, including myself, had been waiting for: a prototype version of the steel watch that would become the Odysseus.
This is not a prototype: the author’s Odysseus from A. Lange & Söhne
While I was quite excited about the existence of the watch, I was even more pleased to hear that Lange was gathering feedback from a significant number of enthusiast collectors about it. And while I wasn’t 100 percent convinced by the time I left the room that it would be a must-have for me in its prototype form, when I saw the completed, updated launch version in New York in October there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation before I was asking how to sign up!
Why I bought the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus and how it fits
In my pal Terry’s collection taxonomy of foundational, patronage, and fun watches, A. Lange & Söhne’s Odysseus for me sits pretty squarely in the “foundational” category – a watch that can be a core element of a collection over time, and that clearly represents the strengths and brand character of its maker.
Solid foundation: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
At the same time, I’ll flatter myself by suggesting that it’s just a tiny bit of a patronage purchase as well in the sense that it represents a vote of confidence in, and support for, the Lange team as it takes a clear step beyond the precious-metal dress-watch confines of the brand’s first 25 years.
Within the array of watch types in my assortment, the Odysseus helps me nudge the balance a bit more away from its strong dress watch core to reflect my own shift to less formal attire and a more relaxed lifestyle; in that sense, I suppose that A. Lange & Söhne and I have something in common when it comes to this watch.
Sweatshirt ready: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
If you’re at all a Lange enthusiast, you’ll likely understand the most compelling reason I bought the Odysseus: it’s a Lange watch you can wear every day.
Why I love the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
Several of my pre-delivery (but post-order placement) thoughts on the Odysseus are included in our team discussion and I’ll try not to repeat those here. But there are a number of reasons I’ve noted during my two months of ownership so far that make me very happy indeed that this watch is mine.
Don’t worry, there’s no unboxing video: arrival day, A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
That new-watch smell: Okay, maybe that’s not exactly a thing, but there is a certain joy in receiving a new piece from a major manufacture, whether it involves a salon ceremony or a trip to the UPS Store. I took my sweet time opening and reviewing the various cards, ancillary items, and boxes before proceeding to the main event.
It says “Quality” right on the label: delivery packaging, Lange Odysseus
The eternal hope, of course, is that the unveiling of a new piece brings unalloyed pleasure. And I’m pleased to report that once I’d figured out how to peel off all of the protective film, I was grinning ear to ear with how striking this watch really is.
Better than I remembered: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus in stainless steel with blue dial
A true step forward: A. Lange & Söhne’s team could have just slapped a metal bracelet on a steel Datograph and been done with it, but they didn’t. I applaud them for that, and among other things I’m one of those who thinks that the “gauntlet” look of the bracelet as it broadens to approach the case is not only daring but successful.
Lange’s commitment to moving forward was further evident not only in the watch itself, but in smaller touches such as the rough-surfaced box and distressed treatment of the leather travel pouch and owner’s book folio.
Box and travel pouch, A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
I’d have been satisfied with a more traditional Lange leather box with that cream-colored interior (which has the unfortunate tendency to fuse the watch cushion and box into a single solid mass over time), but now that I’ve seen the Odysseus-specific accessory designs I can’t imagine them any other way.
Distressed-leather owner’s book folio, Odysseus from A. Lange & Söhne
A true Lange watch: take the name off, and it still shouts “Lange” in almost too many ways to list (for a more thorough accounting from my perspective, check out our team discussion). Now that I have the watch in hand, as one test I was able to compare the profile of the Odysseus to those of my other A. Lange & Söhne watches; while there are some updates, the family resemblance is obvious.
Family ties: case profiles of A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite Tourbillon (1994) and Odysseus (2019)
On the dial side, the familiar-yet-updated features include the day and date windows, which of course include the now-traditional Lange big date but also mirror the design of the Zeitwerk, with Semper Opera clock-style dual windows whose frames have curved edges to match the radius of the bezel.
Same yet different: day and date windows, A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
Updated familiarity continues on the reverse of the watch with relief-engraved bezel, German silver plates with bold (and widened) striping, swan-neck regulator (in this case used to correct for beat error), engraved balance bridge, and even a chaton on the escape wheel pivot letting us know the Odysseus’ roots.
Unmistakably Lange: reverse of the Odysseus
Functional and thoughtful: any Lange watch is going to be created with deep attention to functionality, and the Odysseus is no exception. A few of my favorite bits:
- The quick-set, and reversible, day and date indications. Easily-operated (and drool-inducing, pyramid-shaped) pushers above and below the crown advance the date and day with solid clicks; I don’t want to wear the mechanisms out, but it is great fun from time to time just to click away and see the days of the week snap into view in succession. Another great feature, especially for travelers, is that when you set the time backward past midnight with the crown, the day and date indications also click backward when you reach 11:15 pm on the prior day.
Drool-inducing: beautifully integrated day indication pusher, Lange Odysseus
- The easily adjustable and sizable bracelet. Now that I have the ability to adjust the length of the bracelet by up to 7 mm at the push of a round button on the clasp, I find that I do it several times a day.
Lange Odysseus clasp with micro-adjust button at center
Even better, the button only needs to be pushed to lengthen the bracelet – to shorten, just push the two sides of the bracelet toward each other and the hidden ratchet mechanism does its magic.
Adjustable ratchet mechanism, Lange Odysseus bracelet clasp
Sizing the bracelet is almost as easy: while A. Lange & Söhne supplies small pusher tools with the watch, I just used a toothpick to depress the small round buttons on the links and then removed and replaced links to get to the proper length. This quick-release mechanism is incorporated into every link of the bracelet (except for the thoughtfully included half-link), which confers an added benefit: the absence of visible screws or pins on the outer edges of the bracelet links save the half-link.
Odysseus bracelet link detail with half-link visible near left end of bracelet
- Visibility and legibility. The date window (which as I age, I find I need to check more often) is on the right edge of the watch, where it peeks out from under your cuff, and the lumed hands and indices are visible in bright light, low light, and even no light.
What time is it? Luminous hands and markers, Lange Odysseus
- The integrated bracelet. For the record, it is correct to refer to the A. Lange & Söhne bracelet design as “integrated” with the case (that is, connected through a designed interface). To test the point, I bought a two-sided spring bar tool and very, very carefully removed (the easy part) and replaced (the touchy part) one end of the bracelet from the case. Tip: don’t try this at home! My blood pressure has just recently returned to normal.
Female connection: bracelet-case interface of the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
What the Odysseus bracelet design is not: integral (a unitary design that cannot be separated). That’s actually good news, as I suspect that at some point A. Lange & Söhne will offer additional bracelet types for the Odysseus, much as Vacheron Constantin supplies steel, rubber, and leather options for its Overseas line.
Male connection, bracelet-case interface of the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus
Fit-for-purpose adaptations: When Tony de Haas and his design team change something, it’s for a reason. And in the Odysseus, the changes that we see include increasing the frequency to 4 Hz and counter-sinking the poising screws to reduce the resulting turbulence; using a balance bridge anchored on both ends; adding a screw-down crown and screwed caseback to contribute to 120 m water resistance; and using a wafer-thin, dimensionally stable ARCAP alloy rotor. These all contribute in meaningful ways to the intended uses of this timepiece.
Purposeful change: Caliber L155.1, Lange Odysseus
It pops! For me, the dial is right up there with the pushers as my favorite element of this watch. A. Lange & Söhne has hit a home run with its use of textures, layers, and accents to create just the right level of visual interest. One example: each of the 14 white gold applied indices is a 12-sided geometric shape that incorporates five non-vertical bevels and a stripe of lume down the center for good measure, providing glints of light to the viewer from any angle.
Another: the same style of silver outer chapter ring that made the Zeitwerk Date such a winner for me makes another appearance in this design, re-purposed as a 60-minute scale with red 60 for just a touch of added zest. And one more point of personal preference: I’m a big “yes” on the blue backgrounds with white letters and numbers in the day and date windows.
It pops: dial of the Odysseus day-date watch by A. Lange & Söhne
It looks better in the real world: a picture may be worth a thousand words, but there’s a reason why folks will tell you that it’s always best to see a watch in person as photos very rarely yield a full impression.
A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus on the wrist and in natural light
The good news for me is that the Odysseus looks better in natural light than in a light tent and more attractive on the wrist or on the nightstand than in any published image I’ve seen.
Best in person: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus and Caliber L155.1
Trade-offs and consequences
As an engineer, I know that every design effort involves tradeoffs. If approached correctly these are done within the context of a set of identifiable design principles for consistency, but nonetheless require giving something up to gain something else, and the Odysseus is no exception.
For me, the big tradeoff in the Odysseus design is a direct result of A. Lange & Söhne’s design principle to make this watch, and in particular its profile, immediately identifiable as a Lange watch. Once that rule was set, a natural consequence was the incorporation of “Lange lugs” and the resulting look of how the bracelet attaches to the watch to surround those lugs.
Live by the lugs, die by the lugs: case and lug profile, Lange Odysseus
I’m sure that the Lange team looked at a zillion alternatives; I for one could have done without those lugs and would have loved to see a bracelet profile at the joining point with the case that mirrored the pyramidal shape of the pushers, but that would have been in conflict with the design principle.
The quick-adjust clasp is a wonder but requires a single-sided clasp design whose long blade has to be placed “just so” in order to feel comfortable under the wrist. I had to fiddle with switching bracelet links around several times to get it feeling right for me, and it’s still not as fluid-feeling as the dual-sided Wellendorf-made clasp of my A. Lange & Söhne Pour le Mérite’s bracelet. I do love clicking the length in and out during the day, though!
Long blade: single-sided adjustable clasp as seen on the wrist
A. Lange & Söhne’s emphasis on relative thinness leads to choices like the use of an ARCAP alloy rotor rather than a thicker, more flexible gold one, and I’m guessing drives the 50-hour power reserve limitation as well. I’m actually not sure that a gold rotor would give the right look for an active-wear watch, but I would love to be able to put this watch in the safe for a few days without mounting it to a winder and then be able to slap it right back on without adjusting the time, day, and date and winding it.
Finally, the lengthy linkage used to provide a quickset mechanism for the day leads to different pusher feels for the day and date. Lange has positioned this as a feature (easy to tell which feel is associated with which adjustment) rather than a bug but as a fan of A. Lange & Söhne’s usual practice of making pusher feels quite similar to each other I do wish the tactile experience were more uniform.
While I’m at it, just a few quibbles
I’ve now gotten used to the Odysseus nomenclature, even though it still reminds me of the Jaeger-LeCoultre model line of the same name from the 1990s. But I do wish that A. Lange & Söhne had chosen something a bit more reflective of users’ preferences and experiences rather than of Lange’s own journey to make the watch.
At some point I’m sure I’ll have a revelation as to why so many of the major brands seem fixated on nautical themes for their sport watches (Nautilus, Offshore, Overseas, Marine, and on and on); with the Odysseus, one outcome is the “wave-inspired” engraving on the balance bridge. It’s certainly okay-looking, but for me it loses the connection with an important bit of Lange lore: the personalized engraving of each balance cock in a design unique to its engraver, and the fun as an owner of identifying (and even meeting) the artisan responsible for the engraving on your watch.
Wave-inspired engraving, A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus balance bridge
All the above are small potatoes, though. My one material issue with the Odysseus is visible in the photo below, at the point where the widest bracelet links meet the lugs and the curved links that in turn join the case. The edge of the wide link is quite sharp, and the gap a bit wider than that between the other links, often creating a bright, sharp line that draws the eye away from the rest of the watch.
Just that one thing: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus case and bracelet with sharp joining lines
If the lugs and first link were a bit shorter or more curved, or the leading edge of the widest link more beveled, or the gap smaller, or if my wrist were rounder and larger, I wouldn’t have this issue; but at a minimum I hope that in future iterations of its steel bracelet watches Lange addresses this point.
Is the Odysseus right for you?
I wrote my check, but should you join the waiting list for this newest A. Lange & Söhne release? I’d say yes if:
- You are an A. Lange & Söhne devotee and, like me, you welcome the opportunity to have a go-anywhere watch that provides the satisfaction of wearing a Lange.
- The combination of quality design and construction, practical utility, and striking appearance make this a must-have for you.
- You’ve been looking for a more casual high-end watch but don’t want to follow the herd who are chasing the offerings from other major brands.
Is it for you? Odysseus day-date in stainless steel from A. Lange & Söhne
On the other hand, there are likely better places for you to focus your time and money if:
- The overall appearance of the watch isn’t to your taste.
- You have many other sporty/active pieces in your collection already and don’t see yourself giving this one substantial wrist time.
- The combination of benefits A. Lange & Söhne is offering with the Odysseus don’t make the price tag seem reasonable to you.
Never stand still: three generations of Lange timepieces from the author’s collection: (l to r) Pour le Mérite Tourbillon (1994), Datograph Perpetual (2006), and Odysseus (2019)
As collectors, we have the luxury of making our own choices and building collections that suit us; for me the Odysseus clearly fits into the mix, and I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments below!
For more information, please visit www.alange-soehne.com/en/odysseus.
Quick Facts: A. Lange und Söhne Odysseus Reference 363.179
Case: 40.5 x 11.1 mm, stainless steel with integrated pushers, screwed caseback, and screw-down crown; water-resistant to 120 m
Bracelet: integrated design in stainless steel with micro-adjusting clasp and rapid-removal links
Dial and hands: dark blue dial with white gold applied luminous indices; white gold hands with luminous centers on the hour and minute hands; windows for date and day and seconds subdial
Movement: automatic Caliber L155.1, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency; shock-resistant balance with four poising screws, power reserve 50 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; quick-set day and large date
Price: $28,800 (2019 retail price)
Production years: 2019 onward
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Been waiting for this. The very last picture shows that it absolutely fits with your other Lange pieces, very much a piece of a puzzle; it belongs. I’m not 100% on its design, but that’s as much to do with how it wouldn’t compliment my more modest collection as it is to do with its aesthetic alone, and I’m one for *very* simple dials so this was never really going to be for me. Still, there is plenty to admire about it – that caseback pic in natural light is glorious.
Thanks for your comments, Gav — that last photo even surprised me with the clear migration of design over the past 25 years.
I know that my “just right” dial can be others’ “too ornate,” so I hear you!
It is interesting to me how good this watch looks in the wild — or, alternatively, how tough it is to capture well in the light tent. I’ll keep trying!
All the best, Gary
Cheers Gary. Also, going from the last picture, it must scratch any completionist itch you have (or maybe I’m just projecting) to have arabic, roman, and baton markers all ticked off within this sub-collection.
You’re right, Gav — I do notice (and obsess) about things like that!
Best, Gary
Gary,
Thanks for this much awaited article. I enjoyed reading it. Like you, I am a huge Lange fan, and was grateful to have had the opportunity to acquire the Lange 1 Rose Gold – Second Gen about 2.5 years ago. I personally feel Lange needed to “break out of its comfort zone” of Dress Watches; Chronographs and Chronometers, and I felt the brand had become too “restricted” in its breadth of offerings. The Odysseus changes this dramatically for Lange, and gives them a whole new lease of life. I would love to try this on soon; I just hope it sits better on my wrist than the Richard Lange three-hander (a bit bulky for me). Also I would love to see how they evolve the Odysseus line. I am guessing we will see a Moonphase and a Dual Time.
Your three reasons of “Is the Odysseus right for you?” are also my three reasons for wanting to consider it.
I do not want to comment on the bracelet until I have see the watch. And I love the fact that given this is an “everyday Lange”, they decided to go with a Balance Bridge and, still found a way to have Free-Sprung Balance Wheel with Eccentric Poising Weights. Their immediate competition do not place such emphasis on those movements ! This is Lange being Lange, and they truly Never Stand Still, and perhaps why I love the brand so much.
Your article makes me want to go try it and hopefully buy it. 🙂
Kunal —
Thanks for the thoughtful remarks — I agree that this piece is a wonderful example of Herr Lange’s admonition to Never Stand Still, and I hope you will have the opportunity to try this piece on your wrist soon!
Best regards, Gary
Gary, many thanks for the great review! I don’t have any L&S watch in my collection yet, since they looked too formal for my life style – only Datograph seemed to me on the borderline.
Only release of Odysseus triggered me to visit the boutique where they had a demonstration piece and the watch is awesome, especially when you can see it in metal.
The only complaint that I have is about the way L&S sells those – in two boutiques in different countries I was informed, that I need to be a L&S watch owner to buy Odysseus, which sound a bit abusing I believe.
I’m pleased you enjoyed the review, Ilya!
I’ve heard from a few friends in other parts of the world (I’m in the US) that they have been asked to buy other Lange pieces to “qualify” for the Odysseus. While I understand that in this first year Lange probably wants to sell its limited production of the Odysseus to loyal customers, I’m not a fan at all of tying the availability of one watch to the purchase of another and hope that Lange will abandon this practice as I think it reflects poorly on the brand.
Thanks for mentioning this important point.
Best, Gary
It’s ok for them to do it, as I understand it ,nearly all brands have turned into sociopathic creepys(in marketing terms) in the last 5 years or so. Rolex is lord high creep, but there’s room at the table for all, so it seems.
I wonder how long this will be the case. In an interview on youtube i saw, they made it sound as it was here to stay. When lockdown is over, I will venture in the boutique in London and find out
Thanks, Gary, for this thoughtful and personal review. Having had a chance to try the Odysseus myself, I couldn’t agree more. It’s the perfect complement to your refined collection of Lange watches.
Thanks, Christian! I’m really enjoying wearing this piece on a regular basis and if anything it motivates me to pull my other Lange watches out more often as well. As you say, Lange has built a real complement to its pre-existing lines and I couldn’t be more pleased.
Best, Gary
It’s always a pleasure to read your writings and photos, regardless of the topic! Though I haven’t seen this watch in the metal, I don’t think it’s the watch for me from my personal experience and your analysis. But I can understand why it suits you and Lange enthusiasts.
Hello, Chia-Ming —
Thanks for commenting and for the kind words! It may sound a bit odd but I’m glad that my analysis helps you to decide that this piece is not the one for you — it would be a boring world (and hobby) if we all wanted the exact same pieces, and I wish you happy hunting for watches you truly love!
Best, Gary
Hi Gary,
My latest acquisition is the Credor Eichi II. So far during the three months of ownership I can’t be happier anymore!
Wow — those Credor pieces are superb! Congratulations and happy wearing.
Best, Gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks for a thoughtful and well substantiated review per your usual high standards.
I don’t want to sound like many rather unlikable internet bashers. Lange is my favorite top-tier brand. However, I can’t quite get rid of the feeling that this piece was composed in a bid to match the Pateks and Audemars, whom each have their own iconic $30k steel sports watches.
The thing is, to me, the price that these other iconic pieces command derives from their iconic status and the originality of their design, something that is a result that happens over time, and not something simply made that way as a recipe.
Lange has undeniably composed a functional, good looking and tasteful blend of their best ingredients, but I just don’t feel that for about the same price, I’d be buying into something with the same level of character as a Royal Oak, for example.
Much the same way you could use the best sounding chords played on high end instruments by the best concert artists to compose a nice piece of music that would be pleasing to the ear, the best melodies, to me, are happy accidents, and not something pieced together that way.
I would be honored to read your thoughts on this particular point.
Kind regards,
Claude
Hi Claude,
I don’t read your thoughtful remarks as bashing at all, so please don’t be concerned about that! It’s great to have an open exchange of views here so I really appreciate your point of view.
To my eye the Odysseus is a quite coherent design and I’m able both to recognize it instantly as a Lange and derive the implicit design rules that shaped it, so for me it’s more of a harmonious whole than a tasteful blend of disparate ingredients. I can see, however, how you and others might feel otherwise — as you say, true classics are often conceived as a whole (and emerge over time) rather than being constructed from appealing components.
I do think that Lange’s rule-based (or perhaps we might even call it engineering-based) approach has served it well over the years, particularly with regard to things like the use of golden ratios in the Lange 1 and symmetry in the Datograph; I’ll be interested to talk with Tony de Haas and hear the story of how this watch was designed — whether there was a single design vision or a set of rules and criteria that were acted on by (for example) dial, case, bracelet, and movement sub-teams.
The other example that your thoughts bring to mind is of Formula 1 car design — Ferrari took a big step forward years ago when it re-unified chassis and engine design in Maranello after the former had been located in England for several years — no matter how well you execute an integration model, sometimes true integrality is the right alternative approach!
Thanks again for taking time to post your well-considered and cordially-presented remarks.
Best, Gary
Thank you for a great review. You cover a lot of detail, particularly the removal of the bracelet (at high personal risk it seems) – I found that very helpful.
I am also not a fan of the way the bridge has been engraved, but for a different reason. I feel the ornate waves look out of place on an otherwise quite contemporary watch. There may be traditional finishing elements to the movement, but these elements should match the modern look of the watch. The cursive engravings don’t quite gel.
Overall, I really like the watch (and it really needs to be worn to be appreciated), but not enough to want to jump to the front of the queue to wear one right now.
PS: these are superb photos.
Thanks for your remarks, Brighty! If I hadn’t bought a two-sided springbar plier I wouldn’t have had a prayer of getting that bracelet back on — and I held my breath as I worked to keep from scratching the case or bracelet in the process. Let’s just say that I won’t be trying it again anytime soon!
I hear your point on the bridge engraving — perhaps Lange was stuck a bit in the middle between its full-on traditional approach and a sleeker, contemporary design. Perhaps another example of Lange being faithful to the design dictate of making this a “true Lange” watch when, as with the lugs, they might have been more adventurous.
As your views on the watch settle in I’ll be keen to hear whether you eventually decide to go for one, and if not the good news is that there are lots of other great watches out there, including other Langes!
I’m also very pleased that you liked the photos — thanks again for your comments.
Best, Gary
Hi Gary,
Having read many comments & opinions, much of it from armchair QB’s, it is refreshing to read your considered article. I know the bracelet got panned by many folks, I actually rather like the look as it arrives at the head and think it a clever way to integrate it with the 20mm inside lug width.
The movement looks to be excellent as usual for ALS and as a whole, the watch appears to work for me.
I will say that upon seeing the initial release, my knee jerk reaction was one of a blatant money grab due to the popularity and herd-like insane buying up of every PP Nautilus & AP RO in steel, especially with blue dials. However upon reflection, I see this watch as a natural extension of the ALS brand and offers a style not previously available within the ALS family. A good thing in my view.
One can be quick to judge, and I know within myself, this propensity rears it head on occasion in error and with the benefit of hindsight, one gets to rectify a possibly miss-guided view point. I have yet to see this watch in person, and certainly that would be the final arbiter, however with time I’ve come to rather enjoy what I see.
Your photos as usual are excellent and I always enjoy seeing how you have mastered lighting, for this is not easy!
Cheers,
Tim
Hi Tim!
Great to hear from you as always, and I’m very interested to read how your thinking on this piece has developed since its introduction. I myself waited several weeks before beginning to construct this article to allow my own thinking to settle a bit — and in particular for the euphoria of owning a lovely new piece to subside enough for me to make a list of features that might be less than ideal…
I hope that you will have a chance to see the watch in the metal soon, as it does take on a personality in real life that is very difficult to convey in photos. And thanks for the kind words on my shooting — always more to learn, though!
All the best, Gary
Gary, amazing detailed review and removing the bracelet does disk scratching the watch even with a plier type tool. I have removed mine multiple times and of course have scratched the bracket but lucky it is a daily so really does not bother me as Lange is so good at refinishing any scratches! I do wish for a rubber strap alternative from Lange. It would make it as flexible to wear as a Patel aquanaut. Especially if they keep that quick adjust mechanism.
Thanks for your comments, Anselm! I have enjoyed seeing your photos of various straps on your Odysseus, and agree with you that it will be good to see some “official” options from Lange.
Lange did amazing work making my scratched Double Split case like new, so I know that they are wizards — but I’m still trying to keep my new Odysseus as clean as I can, at least for now!
Best, Gary
Great review, I think it’s such a beautiful watch. When you spoke to Lange, did you get any indication on where they go next with this line? I really love Lange, but I have a slightly strange view on complications on sporty watches that you where everyday. Everyday watches that have GMT complications are popular because the GMT function is useful! The other surprisingly useful complication is an alarm. I get how beautiful and impressive some other complications are, particularly for a dress watch, but for an everyday watch these are two complications to have I think, (I find chronographs are not much use either). So what I really want is a beautiful, everyday Lange with gmt and alarm. ( I know Breguet Marine has this, as does a Vulcain cricket, but they just don’t work for me. And the Patek pilot watch also, but just out of my price league). I keep expecting JLC to make one, but they keep missing it…..hence my question, will this become a family of beautiful and useful complications?
Hi JS — I’m very pleased that you enjoyed the review! I don’t know where Lange will be going with this line — based on their history and the inclusion of pushers on this piece, I think we might expect a chronograph sometime soon, but I don’t have any insider information one way or the other on that — or other complications.
I’m a big fan of GMT watches, so would love to see that as well — and I like your idea of a new take on an alarm watch as well! As a former owner of a JLC Memovox I’m also a fan of that complication — and am often sad that I sold that piece!
All the best, Gary
Hi i would like to know the weight of this fabulous design as I am really interested in it but I am concerned about it.
And, what is the size of the lug-to-lug because my wrist is around 6.25 inch
Hi Anthony —
I’ve looked several places (including on Lange’s website and haven’t found any data on the total weight of the Odysseus — and I don’t have a sufficiently sensitive scale to weigh it myself with any hope of reliable results. My subjective sense is that it is “pleasantly weighty” — a bit more substantial than, say, a Rolex GMT but of course much lighter than the Lange PLM on its gold bracelet.
My lug-to-lug measurement is 47mm, taken from the very edge of one lug (and attachment link) across the case to the edge of the other lug.
Hope that is at least somewhat useful!
Best, Gary
Thank you for the article! I have been a long term admirer of ALS, and believe their modern collection offers the most compelling and forward looking collection of the luxury providers.
Given your familiarity with the brand and pieces, if someone (with a fairly casual lifestyle) only had the budget to buy 1 ALS for the foreseeable future, would you recommend the Odysseus, or do you think other pieces would be more “foundational”. The Lange 1 has been haunting me for a long time as well. Would love to hear your thoughts!
In addition, have you heard anything on whether customers would be able to purchase the silicon strap from the white gold version separately, and put it on the steel version?
Thank you!
Thanks for commenting and for the kind words!
Tough to opine on the Odysseus vs. L1 choice, although your use of the “foundational” classification does help me a bit. The Odysseus may be a future Lange classic, but there is no doubt that the L1 is foundational not only as an enthusiast/collector choice within the Lange portfolio but more broadly as a choice within a multi-brand collection.
With your more casual lifestyle, you might consider a white metal watch — I’m a long-time pink gold guy, but even I am moving more to white metals for stealth and all-round wearability.
My latest word from Lange is that they have “no plans” to offer versions of the rubber and leather straps from the WG version for the steel Odysseus, but many of us continue to lobby! The WG straps as-is will not fit the steel watch as the first lug and its transition to the strap are different from the first lug of the steel bracelet — so that’s really not an option, I’m afraid.
Hope that is useful!
Best, Gary
Nice Collection of New Updated Watch Models
just got mine and really love it. traded my 2010 aquanaut plus cash to get it. great review! thanks
Congratulations! I once owned a “standard” steel Aquanaut and while that was a pleasant piece the Odysseus for me is in another league altogether.
Happy wearing!
Best, Gary
Hello Gary, the watch is a bit nicer looking than the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Models. Its rediculous to even bother with Rolex, or Patek Philippe, with Patek Philippe, really don’t know why they even sell to the Public. I would think they would simply sell to high profile celebrities, and Oligarchs. The Nautilus, and Aquanaut are unobtainable unless you pay triple the retail, same with Rolex Sports Watches. I think A. Lange & Sohne, and Vacheron Constantin are both high quality brands without the slick marketing of Rolex and Patek Philippe.
Hello Thomas — as you know I’m a big fan of Lange and VC, and especially their sport watches as I own both. I’m proud to have been an early booster of the Overseas when everyone else was seemingly going for the RO and Nautilus, and very happy I made an early bid for the Odysseus.
While I do have a couple of Rolexes lurking in the safe, please be assured that those were bought at retail, not at today’s inflated resale prices!
Best, Gary