A. Lange & Söhne Releases a Next Generation Zeitwerk

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As numerous young brands enter the industry, we see significant advancement of contemporary iconic timepieces. This is the case with the much-desired A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk. The German-made luxurious watch was the company’s first to include a mechanical leaping digital screen of the hours and minutes in a stunningly elegant dial when it was originally revealed to the public 13 years ago, in 2009.

In addition, the timepiece was exceptionally accurate because of its uniquely designed consistent force escapement. Combining all the attributes also elevated the Zeitwerk in enthusiasts’ minds.

Currently, A. Lange & Sohne presents the most recent iteration of its acclaimed Zeitwerk timepieces. It was one of ALS’s most iconic creations and something of a UFO on the high-end timepiece scene because of its visually provocative and technically intriguing design.

Photo: Time And Tide

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Since its introduction, the “Radiant,” Striking Time, Minute Repeater, Handwerkskunst, Decimal Strike, Date, and most latest, the Honeygold “Lumen,” have all been modifications. All of these variations, nevertheless, are merely extensions of the same concept. Currently, Zeitwerk’s 2nd generation is available.

Technical Features

A mechanical movement that is next-generation or developed drives the 2 additional variations, available in platinum or 18-karat pink gold: the caliber L043.6, which is covered by seven trademarks. Additionally, it has a power reserve of 72 hours, which is twice as lengthier as earlier models. A unique barrel structure with two mainsprings within the mechanism enabled this. Combined, they allow the Zeitwerk to make numerous additional minute and hour leaps.

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Furthermore, because of the increased reserve, the user can, for example, place the piece aside on Friday evening and switch to a different timepiece for the weekend. He/she can then take it out again on Monday morning without needing to adjust the time.

A button located at 4 o’clock on the casing on the newly developed caliber allows for separate hour adjustment, which is helpful when traversing across time zones. The professional technicians at A. Lange & Sohne took the mechanisms of the concept that debuted with the Zeitwerk Date timepiece, which enabled resetting of the date, and modified them to develop this function.

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The redesigned caliber also employs a sophisticated, unique vertical gear arrangement. In order to maintain extremely accurate isochronism, this innovative 451-part movement has a unique oscillation mechanism with a balance spring and a revolutionary beat setting. Every 451 parts that make up this caliber is hand-coated and put together. A clear sapphire case back allows you to see most of it.

In addition, the redesigned Zeitwerk maintains the 3 trademark skipping disks for aesthetic purposes. These are used to indicate the minutes and hours on the timepiece in huge figures, which is the most remarkable feature of this timepiece and a tribute to Zeitwerk’s initial source of influence.

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Court clockmaker Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes created the five-minute timer of the Dresden Semper Opera House during the nineteenth century. He was commissioned to create a device that’d allow users to read the time all the way through the back. In 1841, he, alongside his colleague Ferdinand Adolph Lange finished building their clock. Hence, a bigger supplementary seconds dial is now included in the revamped caliber as well as dial shape, although among the leaping windows at 6 o’clock.

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Although Zeitwerk’s components and function are varied compared to the clock, it evoked the company’s deep German history and commitment to ongoing forward-thinking technology. Minute upon minute, the jumping numerals of a Zeitwerk make it tempting to wear one on the wrist. What’s more fascinating is that the hour and the two-minute numbers all leap together simultaneously, which is the real mechanical arrangement.

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Finally, the pink-gold model of the latest Zeitwerk has a black dial and measures 41.9 millimeters in diameter. On the other hand, the dial of the platinum piece is made of solid silver. A hand-made alligator leather band completes each piece as well.