A. Lange & Söhne, the renowned Saxon watch brand, raises the bar with its Odysseus sports watch, which now features the innovative automatic chronograph movement – caliber L156.1. This groundbreaking movement eliminates counters for elapsed times, instead relying on two central chronograph hands, a reset-to-zero button, and enhanced functionality of the pushers.
A New Technical Dimension for Precision Watchmaking
The Odysseus Chronograph is the latest addition to the family of precision watches by A. Lange & Söhne. According to Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development, this timepiece blends contemporary design with Lange’s hallmark precision watchmaking and technical excellence. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Odysseus Chronograph a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Customised Movement for Characteristic Dial Design
The Odysseus Chronograph features a customised movement that sets it apart from other chronographs. The manufactory positioned both chronograph hands in the centre, along with a minute counter with a lozenge-shaped tip and a red chrono seconds hand. By doing so, the totalisers, which are usually placed at 3 and 9 o’clock, could be dispensed with, while the outsize date and day of the week, which define the watch’s style, could be maintained.
Expanded Measuring Range and Innovative Reset-to-Zero Function
With the expansion of the measuring range from 30 to 60 minutes, the Odysseus Chronograph opens up new fields of application. Additionally, it features an innovative, dynamic reset-to-zero function. When the reset-to-zero button at 4 o’clock is actuated after a time measurement, the minute counter jumps back to its starting position, while the red chrono seconds hand covers the entire distance travelled beforehand within a fraction of a second. 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.
Safe and Easy Operation
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.
Impressive Design and Robust Construction
The Odysseus Chronograph takes centre stage in a three-part stainless-steel case with a diameter of 42.5 millimetres that withstands a test pressure of 12 bar and is robust enough to accompany its wearer even during sports and leisure activities. The combination of brushed surfaces and chamfered edges creates an impressive play of light, echoed on the lugs and links of the solid stainless-steel bracelet.
Distinctive Appearance and Modern Aesthetics
The Odysseus Chronograph features a dial whose special architecture creates an illusion of depth, with a textured surface on the inner surface of the black main dial, notched baton appliques made of white gold, and a subsidiary seconds scale underlaid with concentric circles. 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 timepiece. The large displays for the date and the day of the week contribute to the watch’s modern, digital aesthetics.
Self-Winding Chronograph Movement
The L156.1 Datomatic calibre powers the Odysseus Chronograph, which is the manufactory’s first self-winding chronograph movement. A skeletonised and partially black-rhodiumed central rotor with a centrifugal mass in 950 platinum assures efficient winding. The mainspring barrel delivers a maximum power reserve of 50 hours, and the balance beats at a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz).
The Odysseus Chronograph is a limited edition of 100 watches and can be exclusively purchased at A. Lange & Söhne boutiques. For pricing and additional information, please visit A.Lange&Söhne’s website.
Model: Odysseus Chronograph
Reference Number: 463.178
Diameter: 42.5mm
Thickness: 14.2mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial Color: Black
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes, hands and markers
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 120 meters
Bracelet: Integrated steel bracelet, safety deployant buckle with micro adjust.
The Movement
Caliber: Lange L156.1 Datomatic
Diameter: 34.9mm
Thickness: 8.4mm
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Movement Parts: 516
Jewels: 52
Functions: Time indicated in hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds with stop seconds; date and day-of-week displays, chronograph with central chrono seconds hand and 60-minute counter
Additional Details: Decorated and assembled by hand, unidirectional winding with 950 platinum rotor, balance bridge engraved by hand.
Pricing & Availability
Limited Edition: 100 watches, edition engraving, boutique-exclusive
