Lange adds their first titanium watch they have ever made to the Odysseus collection, also with a new titanium bracelet.
Press Release information with Commentary in italics.
New: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus in titanium
The retail price for the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus in titanium is EUR 55,000 inclusive of German VAT. Limited Edition of 250 numbered pieces.
Commentary
We guess it is inevitable, though we were still surprised when we saw the press release, and the actual the watch in a remote shooting exercise. This was an interesting experience, as Lange had arranged a photographer in Glashütte with the watch, and we were able to ask for the watch to be manipulated remotely, and when the exact position and watch pose was achieved, we could ask the photographer to shoot the watch. All the time, while he was sharing his tethered screen, so we can see exactly what he sees through his camera. Lange first introduced this remote shooting concept for the Cabaret Tourbillon W&W 2021. This is also how we obtained exclusive photographs for the Richard Lange Minute Repeater we covered on Wednesday.
After introducing their first steel serial production watch in the Odysseus in 2019, Lange is producing the Odysseus in titanium. This is the first time the brand has offered a watch in titanium. The metal has never been used in any Lange, even for special pieces. Thus this is a rather exclusive material for the German watchmaker. The case design, size, shape and movement remains unchanged from the L155.1, aka Datomatic used in the launch models. The only thing new is the case and bracelet material, and the ice blue dial, which we must say is extremely attractive. While the launch steel model was also equipped with a blue dial, the hue is distinctly different, as the original blue is a rather dark blue, but this new model sports a lighter blue, making the watch look very cool, perhaps more attractive to the younger demographic. The guilloche pattern on the hour marker chapter ring also sports a different pattern, now with a arc circular motif, compared to the concentric circles used in the steel and gold models.Finally, while it perhaps assumed that the crown is in titanium, the Lange literature does not state so.
However, there is a rather massive price tag with this new titanium Odysseus. The price of EUR 55k must be seen as a premium over the EUR 42k for the gold version on a rubber strap, and even higher against the EUR 28k for the launch models in stainless steel case and bracelet. Titanium is not a particularly precious metal, and most other brands have their Ti models roughly in line with the pricing of their steel models, or perhaps a small premium. What do you think? Of course, as the collector, the ultimate choice is yours, and we do not forget that this is a Boutique only limited edition of only 250 watches. We also understand that as of yesterday, all 250 pieces have been spoken for at Lange boutiques worldwide. So perhaps this is indeed a brilliant pricing strategy by Lange.
We will return with a detailed hands-on review of this Odysseus Titanium in about two weeks, after we have had our handling and photography session with the watch, currently scheduled for April 8.
Press Release information
With the titanium ODYSSEUS, A. Lange & Söhne presents a casually elegant timepiece for high-end technical and aesthetic expectations. Additionally, it underscores the Saxon manufactory’s motto to never stand still. The new ice-blue colour and an exclusive surface structure adorn the dial of the brand’s first titanium timepiece in a 250-watch limited edition.
The ODYSSEUS is designed for ambitious individuals who want a watch that accompanies them in life’s most memorable moments. Its development is inspired by the concept of an artisanally perfected timepiece which is so robust and water-resistant that it can also be worn in leisure and sports settings. The large day and date display can be conveniently adjusted with the prominent tapered buttons; their distinctive design is now also a hallmark of A. Lange & Söhne’s first titanium watch.
New remarkably lightweight case material
The decision to craft the case and bracelet of the third ODYSSEUS model in titanium is based on the special properties of the material. Titanium weighs about 43 per cent less than stainless steel, clearly improving the already high level of comfort of the ODYSSEUS on the wrist. With a diameter of 40.5 millimetres and a height of 11.1 millimetres, the watch hugs the wrist almost unnoticeably. Moreover, titanium is extremely robust. When exposed to oxygen, it produces a very thin transparent oxide coating that protects the material against external factors and makes it corrosion-resistant. Its warm gloss is paired with a unique patina that comes to the fore in the ODYSSEUS with a combination of polished, matte, and brushed surfaces. Like the stainless- steel and white-gold versions, the titanium ODYSSEUS has a water-resistant case with a screw-down crown that can handle a test pressure of 12 bar.
New colour and distinctive structure
In keeping with the other versions of the ODYSSEUS family, the titanium edition, limited to 250 watches, also has a multi-part dial. In addition to the new ice-blue colour, it features its own surface structure, primarily showcased by the decor on the hour ring. Here, the fine guilloched grooves extend in gentle arcs to the hour markers, creating an embedded look. This amplifies the three-dimensional effect and doubles as an exclusive signature.
The motif reappears in circular lines on the scale of the subsidiary seconds dial. The irregularly structured inner surfaces of the main and subsidiary dials contrast with the uniform lines. The argenté-coloured flange ring with the minute scale forms a shadow gap and adds lucidity to the dial. Among the Arabic five-minute numerals in black, the red printed 60 stands out as a colour accent. The sporty nature of the watch is emphasised by prominent hour and minute hands with the Lange-typical lance shape. Just like the notched baton appliques, they are made of polished white gold and filled with a luminous compound.
Titanium bracelet with safety deployant buckle
For its first watch with a titanium case, A. Lange & Söhne created a matching bracelet that forms a harmonious entity with the case. Like the stainless-steel bracelet of the first ODYSSEUS, it is very comfortable to wear. Thanks to its precision-stepped, easily operable adjustment mechanism, the length of the closed bracelet can be changed by as much as 7 millimetres.
A robust, superbly finished movement
Specially conceived for sports and leisure activities, the ODYSSEUS features a reliable and precise self-winding movement that matches the upscale expectations of a manufactory focused on craftsmanship in every respect. This is clearly reflected by the design of the L155.1 DATOMATIC movement that can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
The name DATOMATIC comes from the words “date” and “automatic”. A skeletonised and partially black- rhodiumed central rotor with a centrifugal mass in 950 platinum delivers ample winding power. When fully wound, the watch has a power reserve of 50 hours. The oscillation system is designed for superb rate stability. For this purpose, the balance – it beats with a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz) – has been aerodynamically optimised with recessed poising screws and firmly suspended beneath the balance bridge. It is manually engraved with a stylised wave pattern, evoking the water-resistance of the watch. In line with Lange’s philosophy, all parts are lavishly hand-finished and the movement is assembled twice. This includes the German-silver plate decorated with Glashütte ribbing and the screwed gold chaton that marks the position of the escape wheel.
A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus in titanium: specifications
Ref. 363.117 Limited edition of 250 watches
Case, dial and hands
Case Diameter: 40.5 millimetres; height: 11.1 millimetres Titanium, To 12 bar (120 metres)
Dial: Brass, ice-blue
Hands and appliqué: White gold; baton markers, hour and minute luminous
Crystals: Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Case and strap: Titanium
Safety deployant buckle with precision length adjustment mechanism
Movement
Lange manufacture calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC®, self-winding, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; unidirectionally winding central rotor with 950 platinum centrifugal mass; balance bridge engraved by hand.
No of parts: 312, Jewels: 31, Screw gold chains: 1
Movement Diameter: 32.9 millimetres; height: 6.2 millimetres
Oscillating system: Shock-resistant cam-poised balance with four poising screws, superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house, frequency 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz), precision beat adjustment system with cam and whiplash spring
Power Reserve: 50 hours when fully wound
Functions: Time indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds with stop seconds; date and day-of-week displays
Operating elements: Screw-down crown for winding the watch and setting the time; two buttons for correcting the date and day
