The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date is Crafted from Pink Gold

A. Lange & Söhne introduces a new addition to the Zeitwerk collection.

A. LANGE & SÖHNE

When A. Lange & Söhne initially revealed in 2019 that the Zeitwerk would incorporate a date complication, there was widespread anticipation that they would introduce an additional date aperture that would advance in a manner akin to the hour and minute indicators. The most prevalent method for watches to display the date is logical, particularly given that the Zeitwerk epitomizes the quintessential ticker watch. This is, ultimately, the inaugural mechanical wristwatch to exhibit numerals for hours and minutes that leap instantaneously.

Subsequently arose the inquiries: where would they accommodate this additional complication? Would they need to forfeit another attribute, such as the power reserve indicator? Would the inclusion of a date display disturb the watch's symmetrical balance?

A. LANGE & SÖHNE

The engineers of A. Lange & Söhne are highly ambitious and declined to make any compromises. To address this, they redefined the concept of a date function. They commenced by engraving the 31 days of the month onto a glass ring that surrounds the dial. A diminutive red marker traverses beneath each digit, accentuating it in red to denote the date. This nuanced effort of inventiveness not only ensured the Zeitwerk Date's cohesion within the Zeitwerk family’s design language but also maintained its visual balance and symmetry.

For enthusiasts of whimsical timepieces, I urge you to envision the red ring advancing around the dial akin to a loading bar representing the month.

A new member

After six years, Lange is introducing a new variant of the Zeitwerk Date—a blonde edition. The Zeitwerk Date, formerly available solely in white gold, is re-emerging with a pink gold case. The updated design features a hand-stitched, dark brown alligator leather strap, which reinforces a warmer tone for the timepiece. Visually, it is far more formal than its predecessor, fitting more closely with Lange's traditional aesthetic, which may attract brand loyalists even further.

The grey dial from the initial generation persists, offering a neutral, subdued background that accentuates the luminous pink gold even further. The visual dichotomy between uniformity and extravagance produces a tranquil yet sophisticated effect—appropriate given the substantial cost associated with the watch. The allure of juxtaposition, my dear.

The design aspects essentially remain unaltered. The two substantial openings for the hour and minute numerals remain, along with the date function that encircles them. The horizontal time bridge consistently encompasses both the tiny seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock and the power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, all contained within identical 44.2mm case proportions.

Two pushers are positioned on either side of the watch, one at 8 o’clock and the other at 4 o’clock. The 8 o’clock pusher regulates the red ring located beneath the 31-day ring, enabling exact positioning. Simultaneously, the pusher at 4 o’clock modifies the hour display independently of the movement's switching cycles. This indicates that it is unnecessary to press the pusher sixty times to advance the hour—an action that would be exceedingly tiresome and would also significantly reduce wear on the watch's mechanisms. Additionally, there is a crown positioned at 2 o’clock, which will, naturally, advance the minutes.

If it is not malfunctioning...

A. LANGE & SÖHNE

The new Zeitwerk date is powered by the same caliber as its predecessor: the dependable L043.8. It is a manual movement that operates at a frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour and necessitates winding about every 72 hours. A power reserve of three days is a significant achievement, given the energy needed for the hour and minute numerals to advance 1,440 times daily with precision.

If you like to acquire further knowledge, we examined the mechanics of the caliber in more depth here. Essentially, Lange's engineers found that inverting a huge mainspring within the barrel enables internal winding, producing greater power and torque than a conventional mainspring. Consequently, it attains a 72-hour power reserve, effectively doubling the 36-hour capacity of its predecessor.

This may be observed through the sapphire crystal caseback, allowing you to monitor the operation of the 516-part calibre. Solarisation and engravings of the company name are present on multiple wheels and bridges, all underscoring the notion that what you are witnessing transcends the mechanics—it is poetry in motion.