A. Lange & Söhne Updates Zeitwerk

A.Lange & Söhne updates its Zeitwerk mechanical digital watch with a new manual-wind movement that offers seventy-two hours of power reserve, twice the power reserve of its predecessor, and adds a new pusher at 4 o’clock that can independently advance the hour display.

First seen in the Zeitwerk Date, the new hour pusher is particularly useful when crossing into a new time zone while wearing the watch. The wearer still sets the minutes using the crown. The increased power reserve of the new manual-winding caliber L043.6 is derived from a new, highly efficient dual mainspring.

The watchmaker has also subtly reworked the prominent ‘time bridge’ across the center of the dial, creating more room for the subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o’clock position.

Also, you’ll see an addition to the power reserve indicator scale at the top of the dial, which now marks the final twelve hours in red to clearly indicate that the dual mainspring tension is gradually waning.

Constant force

A. Lange & Söhne created the Zeitwerk in 2009 as a wrist-sized version of a five-minute clock at the Semper Opera House in Dresden. A world-first, the watch debuted large jumping numerals for the hours and minutes, both controlled by a constant-force escapement. (The A. Lange & Söhne website offers a full technical description of the new Zeitwerk movement).

The beautifully finished 451-part movement is visible through a clear sapphire caseback. which reveals a traditional three-quarter movement plate and the watchmaker’s always breathtaking hand-engraved balance and escape-wheel cocks.

Now slightly thinner than its predecessor, the new A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk measures 41.9mm by 12.2mm and will be sold in two versions. One will be pink gold with a black dial and a time bridge made of untreated German silver.

The platinum edition has a silver rhodium-hued dial with a black time bridge. The pink-gold model come with a black alligator leather strap while the platinum version is paired with a dark-brown alligator leather strap. Price upon request.