ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
11 September 2020, 08:36 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Lange Odysseus, what's the verdict?
As a longtime admirer of Lange's level of craftsmanship and finishing, I am mulling over whether to put my name down for the steel Odysseus. I would love to hear what other collectors - and especially current owners - think of this watch now a year in? Is it a long term collectable icon which collectors will "warm" to over time (like an ugly duckling) or a Nautilus/Royal Oak me-too watch trying too hard with an aesthetic design that is - for lack of a better word - "slightly off"?
I am already fortunate enough to have an 1815 Chronograph (Boutique edition) in my collection which I absolutely adore. So I am contemplating adding the Oddyseus since it (i) is something special as Lange's first "official" steel watch and (ii) would be a great complement to the 1815 Chrono (i.e. it is a more causal / sporty Lange with an automatic movement and a day-date complication). As many watch enthusiasts, I initially had my reservations about the aesthetics of the bracelet and the lugs but absolutely loved the blue dial and the new more sturdy movement with its dark grey rotor. I have now seen / tried the watch in the flesh a few times and must admit that the bracelet look a lot better in person and especially when the watch sits on the wrist. The craftsmanship of the bracelet and "easy-adjust" clasp are definitely also something to behold from a technical perspective. However, to be honest I am still a bit on the fence with regard to the aesthetics of the bracelet / lugs. I am also a bit disappointed with the fact Lange went out of its way to design things in such a way that the new straps for the white gold version(s) do not fit the steel version. Would have been so nice if Lange had followed Vacheron's lead and offered the collector the choice of switching between bracelet and rubber/leather straps. Seems the only choice in this regard is third part straps (and according to rumours even that option might disappear after the initial batch of steel Odysseus are produced with the end links becoming fully integrated like on the WG version). For a while I was also considering going with the white gold version, but there are so many other great Lange watches in white gold available around that price, which makes the WG Odysseus feel a bit less special versus the more unique steel version. I also really love the blue dial of the steel version, and while the grey dial of the WG version is nice it seems a bit more dull for my taste. Anyway, looking forward to hear what the collector community thinks! or ? |
11 September 2020, 09:11 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,900
|
I just think there are more interesting sport watches around for the money... And I say that as a massive Lange fanboy.
|
11 September 2020, 09:19 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NE
Posts: 2,865
|
First was one was posted for 68k on Davidsw website FWIW. Lets see if the demand follows.
|
11 September 2020, 09:38 AM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Montana
Posts: 3,223
|
|
11 September 2020, 09:40 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Real Name: Michael
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,372
|
I like the white gold version best. Neither are true sport watches
|
11 September 2020, 09:44 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,900
|
|
11 September 2020, 09:46 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Montana
Posts: 3,223
|
|
11 September 2020, 10:00 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Thanks for chipping in. Besides the obvious PP/AP/VC ones which other watches in the luxury sports segment do think would be more interesting vs. Odysseus?
|
11 September 2020, 10:04 AM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Wow! That’s crazy! Must be the fact that so few are available on the secondary market so far. I guess Lange tries its best to avoid these initial pieces getting into the hands of flippers.
|
11 September 2020, 10:05 AM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
|
11 September 2020, 10:06 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
|
11 September 2020, 11:04 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,900
|
Yeah I just confirmed with the guys I bought my Zeitwerk from that the wait is until EoY 2021. Pretty wild.
|
11 September 2020, 11:23 AM | #13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Montana
Posts: 3,223
|
Quote:
It's because Lange is artificially keeping SS production down. They're not an SS company. They're a PM company. I believe they planned to keep it under 200/yr. |
|
11 September 2020, 11:41 AM | #14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Mike
Location: CT
Posts: 9,056
|
is it still boutique only? i quite like it but was told it would be a wait
|
11 September 2020, 12:39 PM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Real Name: Mark
Location: Europe
Posts: 644
|
To me, your 5164, 5712 and 1815 chrono are amazing and the very best in their category. The Odysseus is not in the same league to me. I tried it on, and was disappointed. The blue dial didn’t have the quality feeling I expect from Lange. Fairly dull and plasticky looking...
|
11 September 2020, 12:41 PM | #16 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 2,116
|
When I was at a boutique, they straight up told me if I buy any other watch I could get the Odysseus, which I tried on. Don't have any purchase history. Seems like a much better deal than paying 68k for just the Odysseus. But don't really have that kind of money to drop on watches.
|
11 September 2020, 12:56 PM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ganymede
Posts: 114
|
I think it is a relationship piece (well at least for the next year or two at least). I was told mid to end 2021 if I was lucky.
I quite liked it in person. A lot more than I did on paper. That Lange finishing is just something different. Taking everything into account though, the VC overseas is where I ended up. Extremely satisfied with the choice. I think the option of the rubber strap on the steel will be what makes it desirable (or mainstream I guess) especially given that price tag. |
11 September 2020, 12:58 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: John
Location: Denver
Posts: 2,294
|
I think you guys all need to handle this watch. In pictures, it looks like crap IMO. In your hand, it's the BEST constructed watch in its class. I mean that. It crushes the 5711 and 15500.
Never thought I'd actually say that, but I've had/had them all.
__________________
Watches! |
11 September 2020, 04:29 PM | #19 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,872
|
I really like it. However, despite a purchase history of a platinum Lange 1 Moonphase and requesting the watch as soon as it was announced, I was still turned down by the company.
Not a particularly pleasant experience. Anyway, I’ve decided to purchase an alternative. So it goes. |
11 September 2020, 04:58 PM | #20 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 441
|
Quote:
|
|
11 September 2020, 04:58 PM | #21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,872
|
|
11 September 2020, 05:18 PM | #22 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,900
|
Quote:
|
|
11 September 2020, 05:41 PM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Yes, I suspect that as well. They are definitely trying to keep SS as a limited (special) part of their collection. Otherwise, they would have made the SS Odysseus more widely available by know and probably also offered a strap version in steel.
|
11 September 2020, 05:44 PM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Yes, for now that is the case. I think the original plan at launch was that other ADs would eventually also get it. However, I suspect this might have changed so that this will only apply to the WG version(s) once supply catch up with demand for these, but only Lange knows.
|
11 September 2020, 05:45 PM | #25 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Quote:
|
|
11 September 2020, 05:47 PM | #26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Quote:
Which Overseas did you end up getting? |
|
11 September 2020, 05:48 PM | #27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
This is part of what also attract me to the Odysseus.
|
11 September 2020, 05:49 PM | #28 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Somewhere in time
Watch: Lange & Patek
Posts: 612
|
Quote:
|
|
11 September 2020, 06:07 PM | #29 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,872
|
Quote:
I would be lying if I said it hasn't tarnished somewhat my affection for the company, and even the Lange I already own. Last edited by mongrelnomoad; 11 September 2020 at 06:22 PM.. Reason: Spelling. |
|
11 September 2020, 06:33 PM | #30 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,209
|
Having owned the piece for a couple of months I would have to say it’s a triumph. I love the quality of the piece (as others have said), I love that it is clearly a Lange, I love the clarity of the dial and I also love the day date arrangement. I am someone who likes changing straps on my PM pieces so having the option on a sports piece to also change it up is great (I have also heard the rumours that this is only the first 200 pieces).
What’s not to like really about the piece, even the bracelet which I have to say does divide people means you always stand out from the crowd of other sports pieces - it is wide but it very much works and the comfort is absolutely second to none, the adjust system is the blueprint that all watches need to follow. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.