The Glashütte manufacture is presenting a new generation of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk. The watch with mechanical digital display was launched in 2009 and is, 13 years later, receiving its first update. The timepiece is now available in either a red gold case with a black dial or a platinum case with a rhodié dial. Improvements include a doubling of the power reserve to 72 hours and a new pusher for advancing the hours. In addition, there are small changes to the dial.
The new generation of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk appears in a 41.9 mm case made of either 950 platinum or 750 red gold. The height is 12.2 mm. In typical Lange fashion, the case features a polished bezel, a satin-finish centre band and a case back with window. A new feature is the pusher at 4 o’clock, which advances the hours. The fluted crown is still at 2 o’clock.
The front is in rodié on the platinum model and black on the rose gold version. Both dials, however, consist of solid silver. The time is indicated by three jumping numerals that can be read from left to right. Also incorporated is the so-called time bridge, which frames the numerals and is part of the movement. It is made of german silver and is rendered black rhodium-plated on the platinum model. The bearing stone for the discs of the right-hand window is a sapphire for aesthetic reasons, as opposed to the usual rubies.
The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk‘s time bridge has also been slightly adjusted to give the small seconds more space. The “Made in Germany” inscription has consequently moved to the inside of the subdial. The hands are made of either red gold or white gold to match the colour of the case. The power reserve indicator above the time display has been revised and now alerts the wearer with a red marking when only 12 hours of power remain.
The revised calibre L043.6 inside the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk offers several improvements. First of all, a patented barrel construction with two springs doubles the power reserve to 72 hours. Another new feature is the pusher at 4 o’clock, which increments the hours. It works inversely: the corresponding disc only switches when the button is released. The crown at 2 o’clock continues to be responsible for setting the minutes.
The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk movement, consisting of 451 parts, integrates a balance that beats at 2.5 hertz. In addition, there are 59 rubies, two of which sit in screwed gold chatons. The watchmakers also ensured that the bridge of the constant-force mechanism is now completely straight, whereas it still had an end curve in its predecessor. The balance and escape wheel cock is hand-engraved and the winding wheels have a sunburst finish.
The two versions of the Zeitwerk appear on straps made of alligator leather. They are accompanied by a pin buckle made of case material. The price is on request, but is over 100,000 euros.
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