A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Buyer's Guide: Prices, Review, and Watch Explained
Collector's Guide
•
8m 6s
Contact [email protected] for pricing and availability; Either I have it, or I can get it!
The A Lange & Sohne Odysseus 363.038 in white gold is the most opulent version of the German watchmaker’s flagship sports watch. The Odysseus Datomatic launched in 2019 to mark the first time that Glashütte’s most illustrious watchmaker had offered a sports watch option. With a luminescent dial, automatic winding, 120-meter water resistance, and a choice of straps, this Odysseus in white gold is a true sports watch, but it sacrifices none of the rich detail for which Lange watchmaking is renowned.
Compared to rivals from Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, the Odysseus is more exclusive, newer, and comfortable with breaking from the design conventions of the 1970s and Gerald Genta. The 40.5mm white gold case is neither a conventional Lange dress watch design nor the tonneau-like form favored by integrated-bracelet sports watch designers. Unlike the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, the A Lange and Sohne Odysseus is designed to look natural when paired with either a bracelet or a strap.
The white gold Odysseus can be equipped from the factory with the buyer’s choice of a calf leather strap or a black rubber strap, but no bracelet is offered with the white gold model at the time of this review’s publication. The 2022 Odysseus titanium has launched with a matching bracelet in grade five titanium, and the stainless steel Odysseus includes a steel bracelet. All versions of the Odysseus sports watch include quick-release lugs designed to permit easy removal and replacement of bracelets or straps. The bracelets include deployant clasps with push-button micro adjustments.
Each A Lange & Sohne Odysseus is powered by a manufacture caliber L155.1. Although based on the automatic caliber L086, the L155.1 has been modified with a higher beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a full balance bridge; both changes are designed to make the movement more durable and rugged for sports watch applications. The L155.1 is the first A Lange & Sohne movement to operate at 4Hz. A power reserve of 50 hours is energized by a central winding rotor. Stop seconds (hacking) and a quick-set system for the calendar permit easy and precise adjustment. The day and date displays are set using the top and bottom horns of the crown guard structure.
Caliber L155.1 is decorated using Lange’s traditional finishing techniques. All bridges and plates are constructed from “German silver,” an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc. The bridge beneath the winding rotor is designed to reference the shape of “three-quarter” bridges from the era of pocket watch manufacturing in Glashutte. Mirrored anglage is evident on the edge of each bridge, and the movement employs broad “Glashutte” stripes on the tops of bridges.
The base plate bears evidence of engine-turned “perlage,” and Lange employs a satin metal surfacing to wheels. Both fired-blue steel screws and black polished screws are employed. One golden “chaton” holds the pivot of the escape wheel and provides another link to historic German pocket watch manufacturing. As with all A Lange & Sohne movements, the L155.1 includes a hand-engraved balance cock. A black-polished fine regulator allows A Lange & Sohne watchmakers to make precise adjustments to the rate of the watch.
Applies to A Lange & Sohne Odysseus references 363.117; 363.068; 363.038; 363.179
Please subscribe to our channel for the best luxury watch reviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/WatchBoxReviews/?sub_confirmation=1
Visit our website at www.thewatchbox.com for the latest pre-owned luxury watch arrivals and industry-leading value in previously loved luxury timepieces.
Up Next in Collector's Guide
-
Rolex Datejust 41 Full Steel: The Bes...
Rolex is best known for dedicated sports watches such as the GMT-Master II, Submariner, and Cosmograph Daytona, but the Datejust model line precedes all of them. As a staple of the Rolex catalog since 1945, the Datejust has adorned the wrists of heads of state, entertainers, and athletes. The Rol...
-
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202 Buyer...
The 2022 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" has arrived, and today's guide is a tribute to the outgoing AP Royal Oak Jumbo, the 15202. Since 2000, this Royal Oak Extra-Thin has carried the mantle of Audemars Piguet's most famous and coveted luxury watch. Directly descended from the Gerald Genta de...
-
Rolex Submariner Unboxing, Prices, An...
The Rolex Submariner is the world’s most famous luxury watch. This video includes a full Rolex Submariner buyer’s guide with current market prices, an unboxing of the watch, and a comprehensive review for watch buyers. From its launch in 1953 to the 2021 model year Rolex redesign, the Submariner ...