An ongoing series casting a spotlight on A. Lange & Söhne's chronograph timepieces
In the world of mechanical watches, a chronograph remains one of the most desired complications. Its history began in the 18th century, used as a "tool" to measure time in the fields of military, science and sport.
To this day, hundreds of years later, the chronograph retains its allure and charm. It also remains one of the greatest challenges in precision watchmaking to build and design a chronograph calibre. Only a few manufacturers at this moment in time have the ability and knowledge to develop a craft such a mechanism. A. Lange & Söhne is one of this rare breed.
With a total of 13 manufacture movements - movements made in-house - A. Lange & Söhne has always had pride in place for its chronographs, which are in turn highly coveted by owners since 1999. A. Lange & Söhne's chronographs are based on the column wheel principle, with column wheels that control basic functions: start, stop and reset. Depending on the oscillator, events can be measured with an accuracy of one-fifth or one-sixth of a second and, thanks to the minute counter, can last as long as 30 to 60 minutes.
With this level of precision in timekeeping, the Saxon Manufacture is truly in the halo-ed company.
By Kien Lee
Launched in 2019, the ODYSSEUS line is a bold entry by A. Lange & Söhne into the category of sporty-elegant watches. Its contemporary appearance is based on openness, lightness and the prominent features. One of these features is its narrow bezel allowing for a comparatively large dial on which the lancet-shaped hands and the typical Lange displays for the date and day of week, come together holistically to assure excellent legibility.
As the newest addition to the ODYSSEUS range, the ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH is the first A. Lange & Söhne self-winding chronograph.
The ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH retains the characteristic dial design of the ODYSSEUS, but is equipped with a customised movement that positions both chronograph hands in the centre, the minute counter with a lozenge-shaped tip as well as the red chrono seconds hand. It has 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 inner surface of the black main dial of the ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH boasts a textured surface, the notched baton appliques made of white gold and the subsidiary seconds scale are underlaid with concentric circles. A palladium-coloured 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 ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH. The typical Lange lancet-shaped hour and minute hands, which are slightly more prominent in the watches of the ODYSSEUS family, contrast well against the background. They are luminous as well as the inner surfaces of the baton appliques.
“The ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH transports the contemporary and one-of-a-kind design of the watch family to a new technical dimension. It meets all the requirements of a stopwatch suitable for many fields of application, without relinquishing the hallmarks of Lange precision watchmaking,” says Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development.
The ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH also has an expanded measuring range, increasing from 30 minutes which the manufacture previously could offer, to now double the capacity at 60 minutes. Additionally, it 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, the minute counter jumps back to its starting position as it does conventionally, but what is impressive is that the red chrono seconds hand covers the entire distance travelled beforehand within a fraction of a second ‒ one full revolution for each measured minute.
To assure safe and easy operation of the chronograph, the specially sealed, tapered buttons are equipped 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 ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH symbolises the pioneering spirit of the manufactory, to explore previously undiscovered fields, to overcome obstacles and to implement innovative technical solutions,” says Lange CEO Wilhelm Schmid. “Inventiveness and creativity, two A. Lange & Söhne key areas of expertise, will continue to break the mould in traditional precision watchmaking.”
The ODYSSEUS CHRONOGRAPH is available in a limited edition of just 100 watches.
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oining the family of DATOGRAPH models, the DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN "Lumen" is the chronograph that never sleeps.
Deployed with a "Lumen" execution, the fourth model in the A. Lange & Söhne's "Lumen" series, a new aesthetic dimension reveals itself as soon as darkness sets in. This is possible through the deployment of a semi-transparent dial and a luminous compound that causes all displays to flow in the darkness with a distinctive green hue.: Read Story
