. Lange & Söhne presents a new version of its progressive, mechanical digital watch, featuring a ring-shaped date display. It is the first model of the Zeitwerk watch family that combines the warm hue of pink gold with a grey dial.

In 2009, A. Lange & Söhne took the world of precision watchmaking by surprise by launching a trailblazing watch: the Zeitwerk. Its precisely switching digital time display conceals an ingenious mechanical movement. With this disruptive approach, the timepiece appeals to aficionados of traditional watchmaking artistry who also welcome progressive concepts and unconventional solutions.

Apart from the jumping numerals mechanism, the Zeitwerk Date introduced in 2019 is also equipped with an innovative date ring, circling the dial. It is made of printed glass, depicting the numerals 1 to 31. A small colour segment on a ring beneath the date ring performs one step exactly at midnight. Hence, the current date appears in red and, in the course of a month, it moves around the dial, completing one full revolution. At a glance, the wearer can perceive how far the month has progressed. The date can be corrected with the pusher at 8 o’clock: the switching impulse is generated when it is released.

Six years after making its debut in white gold, the Zeitwerk Date now stages an entrance in pink gold. Both versions are graced with a grey dial, elegantly showcasing the mechanical digital time indication. In the interest of optimised, logical legibility, the two apertures for the prominent hour and minute numerals are arranged from left to right on the centre axis of the dial. The indication is a paragon of precision: within a fraction of a second, the patented jumping numerals mechanism switches the numeral discs – precisely 1,440 times throughout the day.

The hour display can be advanced separately with the pusher at 4 o’clock. To enable the correction independently of the switching cycles of the movement, a clutch uncouples the hour ring from the jumping numerals mechanism with every actuation of the pusher. Similar to the date function, the switching impulse is generated when the pusher is released.

The time bridge made of German silver is one of the most striking design elements of the Zeitwerk watch family: it offers a fitting stage for the trailblazing and, to date unique, technical concept. It is part of the movement and frames the time indication with the subsidiary seconds dial, thus creating an instantly noticeable connection between the aesthetic appeal of the exterior and the interior mechanics.

Controlled by a patented constant-force escapement, the tremendous force needed to advance the time indication is delivered by an exceedingly powerful twin mainspring barrel. A fly governor absorbs the surplus energy and protects the entire jumping numerals mechanism. Precisely every 60 seconds, the constant-force escapement provides the switching impulse for the numeral discs. Positioned between mainspring barrel and balance wheel, it makes an important contribution to rate stability by assuring that the balance is powered with a consistent amount of force across the entire power-reserve duration.

“The Zeitwerk Date gives traditional A. Lange & Söhne watchmaking artistry a distinctive, contemporary face,” explains Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development. “Precisely at midnight, it puts on an exceptional show. Because then, all three jumping numeral discs and the date ring switch simultaneously. At that moment, a force and precision are at work that you imagine can be felt through the case.”

The heart of the Zeitwerk Date, the manufacture calibre L043.8, beats at a frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 hertz). The manually wound calibre with its twin barrel and two mainsprings assures a power reserve of 72 hours. The sapphire-crystal caseback of the pink-gold case with a diameter of 44.2 millimetres and a height of 12.3 millimetres allows fascinating insights into the exquisite artisanal finish of the 516-part movement. Technical and aesthetic highlights include the ratchet wheel adorned with solarisation and engraved with the brand name, as well as the delicate constant-force escapement bridge ‒ both providing vivid accents in the harmonious composition of different materials and surface decorations.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Movement

Lange manufacture calibre L043.8, manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; three- quarter plate made of untreated German silver; balance cock and escape-wheel cock engraved by hand; constant-force escapement

• No. of movement parts 516

• No. of jewels 70

• No. of screwed gold chatons 2

• Escapement Lever escapement

• Oscillation system

• Shock-resistant balance wheel with eccentric poising weights; superior-quality balance spring manufactured in-house with balance-spring clamp, frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour, precision beat adjustment system with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring

• Power reserve 72 hours when fully wound

• Functions

Time indicated in hours and minutes in a jumping numerals display, subsidiary seconds with stop seconds; precisely switching ring-date display, UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator

• Operating elements

Crown for winding the watch and setting the time; pusher at 4 o’clock for correcting the hour display; pusher at 8 o’clock for correcting the date display

• Case dimensions Diameter: 44.2 millimetres; height: 12.3 millimetres

• Movement dimensions Diameter: 37.0 millimetres; height: 8.9 millimetres

• Crystal and transparent caseback Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)

• Case 750 pink gold

• Water resistance Up to 3 bar (30 metres)

• Dial 925 silver, grey

• Time bridge German silver, rhodiumed

• Hands 750 gold

• Strap Hand-stitched alligator leather, dark-brown

• Buckle Prong buckle in 750 pink gold