We've had time to digest, now what do you all think?
Mon, 11 November 2019 22:38
I personally am not in love with A. Lange & Söhne producing Sports watch in stainless steel.
That said, I do think the watch is very nice. And I am coming around to appreciating it more and more as time goes on.
But I still have a bit of a hard time trying to justify myself spending $US 31,000 on a stainless watch.
Even one with the quality of Lange & Söhne.
Perhaps this simply speaks to my particular situation. Perhaps I used the excuse of precious metals as a justification for such extravagant purchases, and now the illusion is gone
Re: We've had time to digest, no what do you all think?
Mon, 11 November 2019 22:42
Sorry everyone for my miss-spelling in the title. LOL. I meant to ask now what do you all think. If one of the moderators wanted to fix that, I would be OK with it ;-). LOL
Messages: 4782 Location: long island
Registered: February 2008
Re: We've had time to digest, now what do you all think?
Tue, 12 November 2019 04:57
I have a hard time justifying 30k on a stainless watch too. Whether its Lange, Patek, or AP. I think the market will set the ultimate selling price. Unfortunately for Lange, most of their watches do not sell at list.
Re: We've had time to digest, now what do you all think?
Wed, 13 November 2019 03:07
I got to see it in the metal this weekend in NY. From what I am reading online and hearing in the boutique, I may be the only one not loving the dial. In terms of the bracelet, I think it is actually quite nice. It feels substantial, is finished well, and has nice functions. If the dial didn't look cheap to me (the granulated blue texture looks plastic-like to me.
Re: We've had time to digest, now what do you all think?
Thu, 14 November 2019 18:30
Nice collection! I own two of those, the Patek 5205 and the Lange 1 Moonphase. Two of my favorites, especially the 5205, I think one of the most beautiful as well as unique Pateks of all time. I just missed seeing the new Lange at the Miami Boutique last week, it was out of the store for some reason. A tough looking sports watch but the large premium over a Rolex in steel seems steep. But a hefty looking manly watch for sure. Regards. Ned.
Messages: 5334 Location: U.S. Midwest
Registered: March 2007
While the watch itself is okay . . .
Wed, 20 November 2019 10:10
I think it was a poor choice by Lange to make such a watch. Lange is known for dressy watches and complicated watches, all executed in precious metals. They have a real niche, and they excel in that niche. Moreover, because of their factory size, limited personnel, and self-image, their overall production is limited. It would be a shame to cut datographs and perpetuals to make sports watches.
To be honest, it's hard to imagine that in 20 years the ALS Odysseus will have the same status or reputation as the PP Nautilus the way that a ALS dress watch can now compete reputationally with a PP dress watch.
I'm sorry to say it, but this feels like a concession* to perceived market fores by someone in the hierarchy at either Lange or Richemont.
There does seem to be a move in the luxury watch sector toward sport, more versatile product. While I agree that Lange as a niche small producer has and continues to make some of the most beautiful time pieces ever, you can't stick your head in the ground and ignore market forces, do that and risk your survival. If they continue to only make complicated dress watches and demand for such product declines, you're stuck with inventory that you can't sell and need to mark down. Nothing wrong with diversifying your product line when the market asks, even demands you do so. Better they do that to thrive as a company and still deliver the kind of gorgeous, complicated timepieces they have always been known for as well. The Odysseus is a first shot and not a bad one, a sport watch with Lange written all over it. I'm sure more evolved specimens will follow. Regards. Ned.
Messages: 7017 Location: Southern California
Registered: July 2007
Totally...underwhelmed
Thu, 21 November 2019 15:33
It is not exciting to me in design or in principle. Price is high for no precious metal. Not happy with their policy to not even show it to you at the boutique without appointment. Felt like I was on a car lot when I was in the boutique asking to see it ("do you own Lange now? Are you really interested in it?").
Oh well, I still love Lange and almost all the other models, so I will stick with that.
Maybe my opinion of the model will change in the future, that has certainly happened to me many times in the past (initial dislike, come around later) - but I doubt it and anyway at that price I would never buy it instead of other watches at that price point.
Time may change me, but I can't trace time... @watchwineman on Instagram
Not sure why the metal issue has got everyone's goat. Look what Patek charges for their steel watches, whose design does nothing for me, don't get the mania over the Nautilus line. Now I will admit that I find the pricing of the Patek steel watches silly as well but those sell at a premium. It would be nice if the Lange was priced $10,000 less, but compared to the steel Pateks, the Lange pricing is not out of line. Regards. Ned.
Messages: 7017 Location: Southern California
Registered: July 2007
I guess if I'm paying over $30K for a watch
Thu, 05 December 2019 13:33
I typically think of precious metal. Personally at the Patek Nautilus price point for their SS sport watches that also does not interest me. Same for AP Royal Oak. When you could get them for far less I liked the idea, but not at the current price points.
Time may change me, but I can't trace time... @watchwineman on Instagram
Messages: 4597 Location: Southern California
Registered: January 2005
Re: We've had time to digest, now what do you all think?
Fri, 06 December 2019 22:19
I think it was a bold but smart move. The price is still fair considering the brand status and workmanship. Greubel Forsey also just dipped majorly into the sports direction with their terrific new GMT model. I have yet to try on the Odysseus but am looking forward to doing so.
