The first A. Lange & Söhne automatic chronograph has finally been presented at Watches & Wonders 2023. The new A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph is the perfect addition to the Odysseus collection that was initially presented four years ago as the first sporty-elegant timepiece from the brand. This new watch is limited to only 100 pieces and a feat of horology.
Powered by the newly developed calibre L156.1, the Odysseus Chronograph is cased in a generous stainless steel case measuring 42.5 mm in diameter by 14.2 mm in thickness. Its narrow bezel allowed for a comparatively large black dial which in this case for the very first time is made out of brass and not of silver Together with the lancet-shaped hands and the typical Lange displays for the date and day of week, it assures excellent legibility. To make things even more interesting, the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph is equipped with a black dial with a textured surface, the notched baton appliques made of white gold and the subsidiary seconds scale are underlaid with concentric circles.
To retain the characteristic dial design of the Odysseus, A. Lange & Söhne developed a customized movement that positions both chronograph hands in the center, the minute counter with a lozenge-shaped tip as well as the red chrono seconds hand. As a result, the totalizers, which would’ve been at 3 and 9 o’clock, could be avoided and replaced with the outsize date and day of the week.
A palladium-colored flange ring with a printed two-part minute scale frames the dial. The scale for the fractions of a second is positioned on the outer circumference, while the scale for minutes and seconds is arranged further inside. Printed in red, the number 60 at 12 o’clock and the red chrono seconds hand accentuate the equally elegant and dynamic appearance of the watch.
This 60-minute chronograph is endowed with an innovative, dynamic reset-to-zero function. When the reset-to-zero button at 4 o’clock is actuated after a time measurement, a short but impressive spectacle ensues: while the minute counter jumps back to its starting position in the conventional way, the red chrono seconds hand covers the entire distance traveled beforehand within a fraction of a second —one full revolution for each measured minute. If the minute counter has not reached the 30-minute mark yet, the two hands move anti-clockwise. If the minute counter has passed the 30-minute mark, both hands will advance to zero clockwise. At high speed, the chrono seconds hand performs a full revolution for every minute required to reach the full hour.
To assure safe and easy operation of the chronograph, the Lange product developers equipped the specially sealed, tapered buttons with a novel dual function. In the normal position of the screw-down crown, the buttons at 2 and 4 o’clock are used to operate the chronograph functions: start, stop and reset to zero. When the crown is pulled, the date and day of the week can be corrected with a newly developed mechanism.
The L156.1 DATOMATIC calibre is named from the words “date” and “automatic”. This 516-part movement with 52 jewels features a skeletonized and partially black-rhodiumed central rotor with a centrifugal mass in 950 platinum assures efficient winding. When fully wound, the mainspring barrel delivers a maximum power reserve of 50 hours. The balance wheel, which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph is suspended beneath the balance bridge that is hand-engraved with a stylized wave pattern alluding to the 120-meter water resistance of the watch and the possible applications in sports settings.
On the wrist, the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph wears true to its size and with incredible weight and presence. The total weight of the watch is 179.5 grams which is not too heavy for a watch of this caliber. The black dial is extremely good looking and overall, the watch is extremely sporty with its black dial and red accents.
Sticker Price €135,000 Euro —approximately $147,000 USD. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.
