Zeitwerk
More than ten years ago the creation of this collection presented a host of challenges and novel mechanical solutions. At the time, few could have anticipated how popular the watch would become and the sheer size to which the range has blossomed today – it can even boast no less than three different acoustic models featuring a superbly executed minute repeater.
Inspired by the monumental 19th century stage clock which Ferdinand Adolph Lange had helped to construct in the Semperoper, the opera house in Dresden, the look of this watch is pretty unconventional – a digital two-aperture display of hours and minutes is made possible by three perfectly synchronised rotating discs. The dial also features a power reserve indicator and a large off-centre seconds hand. Thus, the feat of haute horlogerie that is the Zeitwerk would appear to be A. Lange & Söhne’s way of saying “never stand still”.
Inspired by the monumental 19th century stage clock which Ferdinand Adolph Lange had helped to construct in the Semperoper, the opera house in Dresden, the look of this watch is pretty unconventional – a digital two-aperture display of hours and minutes is made possible by three perfectly synchronised rotating discs. The dial also features a power reserve indicator and a large off-centre seconds hand. Thus, the feat of haute horlogerie that is the Zeitwerk would appear to be A. Lange & Söhne’s way of saying “never stand still”.
Something more…
A patented constant-force escapement ensures that the jumping hours and minutes continue to be displayed perfectly accurately over the entire course of the watch’s running time, regardless of whether the watch is fully wound or nearly unwound. Positioned behind the mainspring barrel, it provides the movement with a constant flow of energy to prevent rate inaccuracies that would cause unwarranted acceleration or deceleration of the switch impulses driving the discs with the jumping numerals seen on the digital display.