It may feel like the Odysseus has been around for a while, but in reality, it has only been about six years since A. Lange & Söhne introduced this latest addition to their collection. The launch of their first-ever sports model in stainless steel took the watch world by surprise, and reactions were mixed. While I have always been a huge fan, many were less enthused about the integrated bracelet, despite admiring the case and dial design. In 2020, amidst the turmoil of COVID-19, Lange expanded the Odysseus line with a white-gold variant and in 2022, expanded it further with a titanium model. This year, they continue to evolve the collection with the release of the Odysseus in their renowned Honeygold.
In terms of design and mechanics, the watch remains largely unchanged from its 2019 debut. If you’d like a more in-depth look at the original Odysseus, you can read my hands-on review from 2019/2020. The major update, of course, is the shift from stainless steel and white gold to Honeygold—now accompanied by a fully integrated solid Honeygold bracelet.
Offering a precious metal version with a fully integrated bracelet is nothing new for haute horology brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet. For any luxury sports watch, the bracelet plays a crucial role in defining its identity. In my opinion, having one crafted entirely from precious metal makes it feel even more special. Lange’s interpretation of the beads-of-rice (BoR) design integrates beautifully with the case, giving the Odysseus a seamless, cohesive look. More importantly, Lange has made adjusting the bracelet remarkably effortless. On the underside, you’ll find discreet integrated buttons that, when pressed, release one side of the link, allowing for easy removal. Additionally, the clasp features a built-in micro-adjuster, fine-tuned by pressing the ALS-signed circular logo.
This new Honeygold version also introduces a refined dial colour. Instead of the grainy blue dial of the original or the anthracite grey dial of the white-gold model, Lange has opted for a warm brass-brown hue. The texture remains consistent with the white-gold version, featuring ridges along the periphery of both the main dial and the sub-seconds counter. As always, Lange’s dial craftsmanship is outstanding, offering impressive depth through its enlarged apertures, radial grooves, and applied markers.
Like its predecessors, this latest Odysseus is powered by the L155.1 DATOMATIC movement. The name “DATOMATIC”—visible on the rotor—is a fusion of “Date” and “Automatic.” The beautifully finished 32.9mm movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback, featuring a unidirectional winding central rotor with a platinum centrifugal mass. Thanks to the skeletonized rotor, more of the meticulously hand-finished movement details are visible, showcasing Lange’s signature craftsmanship.
FLEETING THOUGHTS
When I first saw the Odysseus a few years ago, my initial reaction was: “Yet another steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet from another brand.” But then I reminded myself—Lange never does things halfway, so this had to be something special. Known for their impeccably finished high-end timepieces, Lange’s foray into the sports watch segment initially raised eyebrows—just as Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe did decades ago when they introduced their luxury sports watches. Now, six years on, the Odysseus has matured, and the introduction of an all-precious-metal version feels like a natural evolution. It’s a welcome addition to the Odysseus family, and I have no doubt it will be just as successful.
The new Honey Gold A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus, when available, will be priced at €28,000 (approx. £24,000). For more details, visit the Lange website.
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