A. Lange & Söhne: Titanium for the Win
Having found its niche market, A. Lange & Söhne follow up its Odysseus model with a sportier version in titanium.
You were shocked when you saw it in steel, and then promptly handed over your credit card. Next, you were perplexed when it appeared in white gold with a rubber strap, but you said take my money anyway. You know it; you love it; and so does everyone else with good sense… and more than a few cents to spare. Ladies and gentlemen, rise up and give your best impression of a Saxon roar as the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus returns to the Palexpo, this time in titanium! Okay, that opening took a lot out of me, and it was actually meant to open a video about the watch (which we are very much working on). Check it out (when it’s out) and see if my professional sports narrator persona hits.
To be fair here, A. Lange & Söhne never debuted the steel Odysseus at the Geneva show, so this titanium chap is the first to grace these hallowed halls. As Ruckdee Chotjinda and I get into it elsewhere this issue, this watch is so clearly a winner that I even contemplated excluding it from my lineup this issue. I mean, we are making a video and everything so it seems a bit much to spring this on you in this section too, especially since the watch is limited to 250 pieces, and is probably all gone by the time you read this. In case you are on the fence about this (who are you? Please contact us), there are a few important points about the Odysseus in titanium that make it stand out. I will spare us all the recap on what makes the watch tick and get right to the main points.
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In titanium, the watch is much lighter, as you would expect versus either steel or white gold. This makes the watch head sit a little better on the wrist — it could be argued that the steel version worked on most wrists, but this one goes the extra mile and makes the experience more comfortable. Next, the combination of matte and polished finishing for the case and the bracelet is simply spectacular, considering how difficult it is to gussy up titanium. The watchmakers at A. Lange & Söhne opted for micro-blasting to achieve the matte look, but the shiny bits — including the links in the bracelet — are hand-polished. Take a moment to let that sink in. Look at the watch again, and count the links. You know you want to. We will wait. If you are not duly impressed, then you know this watch is not for you.
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Finally, there is the new Ice Blue dial, which has thoroughly won Ruckdee over (and also Logan Baker at Hodinkee). It is also decorated in a way subtly different to the steel version (I cannot remember the dial of the white gold version in the metal), which is a nice detail. In a way, this is the icing on the horological cake that team A. Lange & Söhne have so carefully prepared. Now, if only someone would serve you up a slice of that.
Movement: Automatic calibre L 155.1 with big day and date; 50-hour power reserve
Case: 40.5mm in grade 5 titanium; water-resistant to 120m
Strap: Grade 5 titanium bracelet
Price: €55,000
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