A. Lange & Söhne presents a new version of the mechanical digital watch "Zeitwerk"

In 2009, A. Lange & Söhne presented the first “Zeitwerk,” surprising the entire watchmaking world: with a wristwatch concept that had never existed before, with large jumping numerals for the hour and minute—and a maintenance mechanism as the clock generator.

From five- to one-minute rhythm

This approach is closely linked to the manufactory's tradition. The master watchmakers at A. Lange & Söhne found inspiration for the "Zeitwerk" in the famous five-minute clock of the Dresden Semper Opera House.

The court clockmaker, Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes, was commissioned to produce it. He was tasked with developing a time display that would be easily legible even from the back rows. A challenge that forced Gutkaes to think completely differently. Unlike all the large clocks with hands that were common at the time, he opted for a revolutionary approach: a clock that displayed the time digitally in five-minute increments.

In 1841, he completed the five-minute clock together with his colleague Ferdinand Adolph Lange. The extraordinary idea behind this clock found new expression in the "Zeitwerk" for the wrist—although it switches five times more frequently than its inspiration, namely every full minute.

It features a patented mechanism with three jumping dials. The hours and minutes are displayed from left to right by large digits. The underlying mechanism advances the three dials – one of which displays the hours and the other two the tens and units of the minutes – every fraction of a second. The most exciting moment is when, on the hour, all three dials jump forward one position simultaneously.

The date is added

In addition to the jumping numeral mechanism, the white gold "Zeitwerk Date," introduced in 2019, features an innovative date ring surrounding the dial. It is made of printed glass with the numbers 1 to 31. A small colored segment on a ring below advances one step every day at exactly midnight.

The current date is highlighted in red and moves around the dial once over the course of a month, providing an instant indication of the current month. The pusher at 8 o'clock can be used to correct the date as needed; the date is activated when released.

This clear and avant-garde representation of time remains unparalleled to this day. Except, perhaps, in subsequent versions of the mechanical digital watch with a ring-shaped date display. The most recent is the "Zeitwerk Date" in rose gold with a gray dial.

A distinctive face in grey

Six years after its debut in white gold, the "Zeitwerk Date" is now available in a rose gold version. Both models feature a gray dial, elegantly displaying the mechanical-digital time display.

The hour display can be advanced separately using the pusher at 4 o'clock. To make this adjustment independent of the movement's switching operations, a clutch separates the hour ring from the jumping numeral mechanism each time the button is pressed. The switching impulse is generated when the pusher is released, as with the date function.

Bridging the gap to the interior

A defining element of the "Zeitwerk" watch family is the nickel silver time bridge. It sets the stage for the technical concept, which remains unique to this day. As part of the movement, it frames the time display, including the small seconds hand, creating a clearly perceptible connection between the external aesthetics and the internal mechanics.

Strong performance every minute

The enormous power required to advance the time display, controlled by a patented mainspring mechanism, is provided by a powerful double mainspring barrel. A wind vane absorbs the excess energy, thus protecting the entire jumping numeral mechanism. Exactly every 60 seconds, the mainspring mechanism delivers the impulse for the leapfrog advance of the numeral discs. Mounted between the mainspring barrel and the balance, it makes an important contribution to rate stability by supplying the balance with consistent power throughout the entire running time.

“The ‘Zeitwerk Date’ gives A. Lange & Söhne’s traditional watchmaking a distinctive, modern face,” explains Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development.

"At exactly midnight, it offers a very special show. That's when all three jumping dials and the date ring advance simultaneously. At this moment, a power and precision are at work that you can almost feel through the case."

The manufacture caliber L043.8

The "Zeitwerk Date" uses the in-house caliber L043.8, which beats at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 hertz). Thanks to a double barrel with two mainsprings, the hand-wound caliber offers a power reserve of 72 hours.

The sapphire crystal case back of the red gold case, which has a diameter of 44.2 millimeters and a height of 12.3 millimeters, appropriately showcases the craftsmanship of the 516-part movement.

The technical and aesthetic highlights include the ratchet wheel with its sunburst finish and engraved with the brand name, as well as the filigree intermediate winding bridge, which set expressive accents in the finely coordinated composition of different materials and surface decorations.