A. Lange & Söhne launches first sports watch: Introducing the new ODYSSEUS
There has been a lot of speculations lately, whether and when the Saxon watchmakers will venture to introduce their very first sports model. Now, all the waiting, speculating and guessing has come to an end. The ODYSSEUS opens up a new chapter for A. Lange & Söhne, their first regularly produced timepiece in stainless steel. The typical Lange case-design and large date with double aperture remain to be signature elements of the manufacture.
A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS Ref. 363.179
The sporty and yet very elegant ODYSSEUS is the first offspring of the sixth watch family of Lange, extending the lines LANGE 1, SAXONIA, 1815, RICHARD LANGE and ZEITWERK. And as usual at Lange, it is endowed not only with a distinctive design but also with a newly developed movement: the tailor-made self-winding movement manufacture calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC.
Lange manufacture calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC
The stainless-steel case with 40,5 millimetres in diameter and 11,1 in height has been constructed in three parts and has an integrated stainless-steel bracelet. The surfaces of the case are decorated with a satin contour finish and the edges are emphasised with a chamfer. The combination of brushed surfaces and chamfered edges is echoed on the lugs and links of the massive stainless-steel bracelet. The ODYSSEUS is the first Lange watch with a water-resistant case and a screw-down crown. The pushers for correcting the date and the day of the week at 2 and 4 o’clock are specially sealed and tapered.
A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS Ref. 363.179 (links)
Screw-down crown and two pushers for correcting the day of week and date (rechts)
At 3 o’clock, a typical Lange date display with its classic double aperture catches the eye. It is complemented with an equally large day-of-week display at 9 o’clock. The typical Lange font is used for both displays, though here in white on a dark-blue dial made of brass and several levels with different surfaces.
The dial of the ODYSSEUS is made of dark-blue brass
Just like the outer scale of the subsidiary seconds dial, the notched baton appliques made of white gold lie above concentric lines, a technique called azurage. They contrast against the grained inner surfaces of the main and subsidiary dial. A bevelled, argenté-coloured flange ring with a printed minute scale frames the dial. In the ODYSSEUS, the brand-typical lancet-shaped hands for hours and minutes are more prominent than in other watches of the manufactory and are luminous, just like the inner surfaces of the baton appliques.
The lancet-shaped hours- and minutes-hands of the new ODYSSEUS are extra prominent and luminous
The name DATOMATIC visible on the rotor of the new manufacture calibre L155.1 stands for the date mechanism combined with automatic winding. It features a unidirectionally winding central rotor with an oscillating mass in platinum that is skeletonized in order to offer a view on the details of the manually executed, lavish finissage of the movement.
DATOMATIC stands for the date mechanism combined with automatic winding
The newly designed balance is regulated with four countersunk poising screws that are flush with the outside of the balance-wheel rim. This design reduces turbulences despite the higher frequency of 28.800 semi-oscillations per hour. The mainspring barrel delivers a maximum power reserve of 50 hours. In accordance with the A. Lange & Söhne philosophy, the entire movement is finished by hand and assembled twice.
Lange manufacture calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC
The stainless-steel bracelet can be adjusted in small steps up to 7 millimetres by pressing the pusher embossed with the Lange signature and by pulling or pushing to the desired length.
Adjustable stainless-steel bracelet with Lange signature
The French language sounds just as pretty like a chanson from Edith Piaf. A rather uncharming word like ‘cow horns’ turns in French into an elegant ‘Cornes de Vache’. This example is not chosen by accident: it is the nickname of a very special watch from Vacheron Constantin, that in 1955 appeared by the simple…
From 29 June to 2 July, this great classic car meeting returns to the legendary Le Mans race track. Against a history-steeped backdrop, around 800 classic cars as well as another 8,500 club vehicles will take part in a series of fiercely contested races. This year, the 150 exhibitors and 1,000 drivers from 30 different…
To mark the brand’s 250th anniversary and 70 years since the birth of the Type XX (the standard Type version was released in 1953), Breguet is launching two new chronograph models. Under reference 2075, the maison introduces two variants: one comes with a black anodised aluminium dial, the other is limited to just 250 pieces…
In keeping with the season, OMEGA is presenting three new variants of the Globemaster Annual Calendar in subdued colours. The first watch has a trendy green dial. The second has a burgundy dial and a bezel in OMEGA's Sedna Gold. Lastly, the Manufacture presents a variant with a Sedna Gold case paired with a dial…
Daniel Roth is a name that resonates with watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. The brand, founded by the eponymous watchmaker in 1988, is known for its unique double-ellipse cases and high-quality timepieces. After a long hiatus, the brand has made a comeback with new models, developed in collaboration with La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.…
The new Audemars Piguet luxury watch model belongs to the technological highlights of the brand founded in 1875 in the Swiss Jura. With a movement of only 2.89 mm and a case 6.3 mm high the new Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultrathin (Ref. 26586IP.OO.1240IP.01) is one of the thinnest models with a perpetual calendar worldwide.…
Vacheron Constantin has been in the limelight recently thanks to the introduction of numerous exciting models - from the successfully resurrected 222 to the one-of-kind Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon. Now, however, Vacheron is setting its sights on expanding the maison's trusty Overseas collection by introducing a new rose-gold model in a 35 mm case. Why…
The legendary rivalry between the Italian cycling greats Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali not only moved the sporting world in the 1940s and 1950s, but an entire nation. Breitling is now honouring these two icons and former brand ambassadors with a new, limited Top Time B01 collection. These watches are not only a tribute to…
The best of two spheres: Montblanc presents a new manual-winding Minerva movement Montblanc and Minerva - the shared history of these two traditional brands does not go back very far. Montblanc, the leading Hamburg-based company for the finest writing utensils founded in 1906, only entered the watch business in 1997. This makes it a real…
As Gerald Charles commemorates its 25th anniversary, the maison is launching a special tribute to its legendary founder, Mr. Gérald Charles Genta, with the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition. This release not only celebrates the brand's heritage but also pays homage to the extraordinary creativity and technical prowess of Mr. Genta, who is renowned as…
Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled a new version of the Reverso Tribute Chronograph, featuring a pink gold case. Key design elements include a solid pink gold dial with a new decorative finish and an open-worked reverse side showcasing the intricacies of the chronograph mechanism. Powered by the newly developed Calibre 860, this watch also pays homage to…
Two new sizes, radiant mother-of-pearl dials, lab-grown diamonds, and actress Charlize Theron heading the new campaign: say hello to the new Breitling Navitimer 32 and 36 mm. A whole army of the manufacture's most popular and iconic pilot's watch are joining the collection in a range of new designs, from red-gold and steel to two-tone…
Breguet is expanding its pilot's watch collection with the Breguet Type XXI 3815. It is a modern and sporty reinterpretation of the Type XXI 3817, presented back in 2016. Particularly striking features include the flashy numerals and hands, which are either orange or green. The watch appears in a titanium case, which allows a view…