Good evening everyone.
October 24, 1994 was the day that A. Lange & Söhne made its comeback. On the same day in 2019, 25 years after the date of its revival, the brand's first sports model, the Odysseus, was born. Named after a hero from Greek mythology, this watch attracted a lot of attention at the time, and even now, several years after its release, its popularity shows no sign of slowing down.
This time, we would like to compare the differences between the new Odysseus 2023 model "Ref. 463.178 " and the 2022 model "Ref. 363.117 "! Both are attractive models, but we hope that you will learn about the differences between them and use them as a basis for your purchase or as a source of knowledge. Please enjoy reading until the end.
Introducing the new "Ref.463.178" and the old "Ref.363.117"
First, let us briefly introduce the new "Ref. 463.178" and the old "Ref. 363.117" that we will be comparing this time.
| Case diameter | 42.5mm | Bezel | SS |
| Dial | black | Luminous | can be |
| material | SS | bracelet | Five-row bracelet |
| Waterproof | 12 ATM | Drive system | Automatic |
| Cal | L156.1 | Power reserve | Approximately 50 hours |
The Ref. 463.178, a new model for 2023, features a red chronograph hand that stands out against the black dial. This is A. Lange & Söhne's first automatic chronograph, and the way it moves when reset is very unique. Instead of instantly returning to the starting position, the hand moves counterclockwise as if rewinding time. This is a unique piece that features a mechanism unique to this brand, which has some of the most advanced technical capabilities in the luxury watch industry.
*To see how this distinctive chronograph works, we have included a video from the official A. Lange & Söhne YouTube channel later in this article, so don't miss it.
| Case diameter | 40.5mm | Bezel | T.I. |
| Dial | Ice Blue | Luminous | can be |
| material | T.I. | bracelet | Five-row bracelet |
| Waterproof | 12 ATM | Drive system | Automatic |
| Cal | L155.1 | Power reserve | Approximately 50 hours |
[A. Lange & Söhne] The "Ref. 363.117" was announced in 2022 as the first TI (titanium) case and bracelet model. Like the previous SS (stainless steel) model, the case diameter is 40.5 mm and the case thickness is 11.1 mm, but the use of TI (titanium) material makes it attractive for its light wearing feel.
Spec comparison between the new "Ref.463.178" and the old "Ref.363.117"
The main specifications of the new "Ref.463.178" and the old "Ref.363.117" are as follows:
| 42.5mm | Case diameter | 40.5mm |
| SS | Bezel | T.I. |
| black | Dial | Ice Blue |
| can be | Luminous | can be |
| SS | material | T.I. |
| Five-row bracelet | bracelet | Five-row bracelet |
| 12 ATM | Waterproof | 12 ATM |
| Automatic | Drive system | Automatic |
| L156.1 | Cal | L155.1 |
| Approximately 50 hours | Power reserve | Approximately 50 hours |
❶【 Dial 】
Dial Color
| New Ref. 463.178 | black |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | Ice Blue |
The old model's ice blue has a refreshing and chic finish, while the new model's black color, with red accents placed throughout, gives it a sportier impression.
Scale on the outer circumference of the dial
| New Ref. 463.178 | Minute markings + pitch scale for chronograph hands |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | Memory per minute |
The old model has markings for every minute engraved on the outer circumference, but the new model has markings for every minute as well as markings that correspond to the pitch of the chronograph hands.
Chronograph second and minute hands
| New Ref. 463.178 | can be |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | none |
As you can see at a glance, the new model is equipped with a chronograph function, which means that a chronograph second hand (red) and minute hand (silver) have been added.
❷【 Case 】
Case Size
| New Ref. 463.178 | 42.5mm |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | 40.5mm |
The old model has a case size of 40.5mm, which is the same as the conventional Odysseus model, but the new model has been scaled up to 42.5mm while maintaining the light wearing feel, making it a more impressive design.
Case material
| New Ref. 463.178 | SS |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | T.I. |
The old model was made of titanium, a first for the brand, and is 40% lighter than stainless steel, making it easy to wear on a daily basis. On the other hand, the new model is made of stainless steel, so the old model is lighter, but the 5-link bracelet unique to the Odysseus makes it comfortable to wear.
❸【 Movement 】
Movement
| New Ref. 463.178 | Cal. L156.1 |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | Cal. L155.1 |
The new model is equipped with the "Cal.L156.1" movement, which retains the 50-hour power reserve and 28,800 vibrations of the previous model's "Cal.L155.1" movement, but also adds a chronograph function. As mentioned above, please take a look at this chronograph with its unique movement.
❹【 Production quantity 】
amount produced
| New Ref. 463.178 | 100 bottles |
| Older model Ref.363.117 | 250 bottles |
The old model has a production run of 250 units, while the new model has a production run of 100 units, and both are special models that are rarely seen on the market.
summary
What did you think.
Founded in Glashütte, Germany in 1845 , A. Lange & Söhne was once on the verge of disappearance, but thanks to its overwhelming technical capabilities, it has made a comeback and is now considered one of the world's top five watch brands . All of its models, with their beautiful and classical designs and high-quality movements, are sure to be a watch that you can wear for the rest of your life, no matter which one you choose.
In particular, the new "Ref.463.178" and the old "Ref.363.117" introduced this time are both masterpieces packed with the latest technology that the brand is proud of. Please read this article to prepare yourself and make your decision.