Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 2021 Reference No: 140.032 Movement No: 134’017 Case No: 244’567 Model Name: Zeitwerk Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L043.1, 68 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold A. Lange & Söhne pin buckle Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by A. Lange & Söhne guarantee dated June 11th 2021, instructon booklet, leather wallet, fitted presentation box, and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
A Lange & Söhne’s innovative Zeitwerk first hit the market in 2009 and was offered in pink gold, yellow gold, white gold, and platinum, the latter as a limited edition. A decade and a half later and it is as uniquely Lange as the Lange 1 or the Datograph. The introduction of the digital jumping date display builds on a nineteenth century patent by Josef Pallweber – though his was with vertical hours and minutes, rather than horizontal. For such a seemingly straightforward display of time, the mechanics are remarkably intricate and required considerable ingenuity to construct.
The bold “time bridge” that frames the hour and minute display is crafted from solid German silver. The layout in its entirety is masterful, with the U-shaped power reserve on the top part of the dial balanced against the subsidiary seconds dial on the lower portion. Interestingly, on the left is a screw but the right is a jewel bearing, as the time bridge is a part of the movement. The beautiful caliber L043.1 has a constant force escapement, decorated with free-hand engraving, Glashütte stripes, mirror polishing, and delicate anglage. Since its inception in 2009, Lange has broadened the Zeitwerk family to include chiming watches or additional complications.
It’s not just the stamp on the guarantee that marks this particular Zeitwerk as a recent production. Earlier Zeitwerks in pink gold only featured a fully polished case, rather than the brushed case band that is typically seen in the other metal variants and later pink gold Zeitwerks. Purchased in 2021 and worn sparingly since, the present Zeitwerk is a compelling modern offering complete with all of its original accessories.
Originally founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Dresden, Germany, the firm established an entire watchmaking culture and industry in Glashütte. The brand quickly became Germany's finest watchmaker, first creating dependable, easy-to-repair watches before going on to produce some of the world's finest complicated pocket watches, including Grande Sonnerie watches, tourbillon watches and Grande Complications.
On the final day of World War II, their factories were destroyed by Russian bombers, and in 1948 the brand was confiscated by the Soviet Union. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Ferdinand's great grandson Walter Lange re-established the brand with the objective to once again produce top-quality luxury watches. Now part of the Richemont Group, its original vintage and modern creations are highly coveted by collectors. Key models from the modern era include the Lange 1, Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon and the Zeitwerk.
