Lange Zeitwerk, in the metal so to speak...

Jun 29, 2009,06:44 AM
 

Guten abend my fellow Lange PuristS!

I trust you all are having a perfect evening this Monday!

I have just returned from the Zeitwerk event, and it was indeed a superb evening!

I had heaps of fun, and will share with you all the photos that I have taken throughout the day!

Without further ado, here we go!

 



My Lange for the day, naturlich die Richard Lange in Platin.






At lunchtime, I had a great paella !






Countdown to the event!



Me at the entrance to the restaurant.









They even put up a Lange banner on the street sign!






Ahh, the 1st pieces on display.



Unfortunately in white gold, thus not for me...



The new 31s...





Look at that price, "cheap" ay?



My beauties...


Come to me, my precious one...



An apparently rare and new piece that came just for the show, the Grand Lange 1 in white gold with black MOP dial.





A Platinum ingot for the wrist...






Platin, Platine, Platino!








Die Richard Lange "Pour le Merite", no introductions needed.



The entire RL family...























Mechanical poetry.


















Ahh, here is my mom's watch for this year!



Herr Kesselmann, the Lange brand CEO for Japan introducing the staff von Lange GmbH.

















Ohhh, this is MINE_!





















The platinum version is a blank without the movement, but they adjusted the blank so that it weighs almost similar as the actual product.






Table shot of the 1st session we attended, about the design.












The Grand father of the Zeitwerk, manufactured in 1885.




















Numerous prototype designs for the Zeitwerk.





















WHat do we have here? A drawing right in front of my eyes, but for who?


















Oh? It's for me! ( Apparently the designer gives it to whomever sits closest to him,and i was the lucky one!















Now on to session about the 3 springs utilised in the Zeitwerk.



























This is the hairspring!






Mathematical formula for the manufacture of the hairspring








The mainspring for the 31.












Weights that allows you to feel the torque of the various springs, this one is for the remontoir of the Zeitwerk.












For the hairspring.















Dinner time!
























With Ms. Ishida from Lange Japan.



Mit Herr Grossmann!











1st dish. ( I captured photos of everything, except the meat main, because i was so caught up in conversations that I totally forgot to take a photo of the meat dish! Enschuldigung!)









The Zeitwerk dessert!





















All of us didn't start eating until it was actually 7:52pm here!
























I put on the PLM for this shot!

































































Italian limited edition, blued steel hands for everything!












Special lizard belt!











Rare LE of 10 of the double split!


















Well, hope you all enjoyed the shots! I have received a few more goodies, which I will try to post in the days to come.

Cheers and have a great night!

Tschuss!

Stephen " Marine Chronometer for the Wrist"

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Comments: view entire thread 

Fantastic and intriguing report, Stephen

 
By: respo : June 29th, 2009-07:00
The images of the pocket watch grandfather to the Zeitwerk are very interesting to see. I had no idea iot had been produced more than 100 years ago. Is there nothing new under the sun? Also good to see the earlier prototypes for the new Z. I have to admit... 

You are correct Respo!

 
By: BluNotte : June 29th, 2009-07:23
I was very much touched too with the fact that there was a Zeitwerk from Lange that many ages ago! The dessert was good indeed! I particularly enjoyed the numbers! I hope that i was able to allow you to be part of the event, even though through photos onl... 

WOOOOOW!!!

 
By: Mostel : June 29th, 2009-09:20
Thank you soooo much, what an amazing report!!! My fave is the rg RL pour le merite... and I'm not an rg guy... but that is Goooorgeous...

Well, what are you waiting for then!

 
By: BluNotte : June 29th, 2009-11:04
There are still some RG RL PLM left from what I know! Here's a toast to you joining the ultimate " Marine Chronometer for the Wrist" Club! Cheers! Stephen

Hokkaido Milk

 
By: ianny : June 29th, 2009-09:47
fed veal? LOL... Only in Japan do they go into such details. Must have been yummy. Thanks for the report buddy. When are your watches coming? Sorry I know I must have asked you the same question a hundred times. What number did you get for the PLM again? ... 

Indeed buddy!

 
By: BluNotte : June 29th, 2009-11:07
Isn't that why we both are gaga over this land! But you got the upper hand man! Your lady is a native from here! Heck, i don't even have a companion mate! But i do get the watches! LoL! Ok , just for you then, here's a lowdown of what's coming: RL PLM, no... 

Can I trade

 
By: ianny : June 29th, 2009-19:33
my lady for the three watches then? LOL.. KIDDING! Keiko will so kill me if she sees this. Yea, I've been on car forums more nowadays ... Learning more about my ride and generally having fun with the car. I'm sending the car for MTM Stage 1 tune up next w... 

LoL, i think i'll stick with my end of the bargain!

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-06:16
It's great to hear you enjoying your Audi Ian, well to each his own! I was talking to the head of PR yesterday at the show, and i asked him what car would be the most "Lange" car if there was one, and he proved my guess to be true, it's the Audi A8/ S8 ! ... 

A handsome man with a handsome watch :-)

 
By: CL : June 29th, 2009-11:00
Stephen, you should really get he Lange Zeitwerk, I think it looks great on you. Cheers, CL

Yay....This one is sooooooo NICE

 
By: CL : June 29th, 2009-11:14
I like it the first time I saw the picture.....and then I just LOVE It the next day. It's like URWERK and MBFkinda 'strange' but make by Lange with Fusee Chain and super finishing.....how to beat that ??? I'm happy for you. Cheers, CL

Danke Schon CL!

 
By: BluNotte : June 29th, 2009-11:19
Are you referring to the PLM though? Because the Zeitwerk does not have the Fusee & chain mechanism! But in any case, since i'm getting both, well well you put it just perfectly! Thank you very much! Stephen

Sorry...I mean REMONTOIRE :-)

 
By: CL : June 29th, 2009-11:29
Remontoire and Fusee Chian have kinda the same function......and both are old school technique and craft. So for the Zeitwerk to be so progressive looking and yet paying homage to the Sempra Opera Clock PLUS Remontoire movement, this is just simply Perfec... 

Das ist rechtig!

 
By: BluNotte : June 29th, 2009-11:34
Indeed, just as you have pointed it out, so many others have too! The RL PLM with the Fusee & Chain, and the Zeitwerk with the remontoir, both represent classic traditions, with the highest finish that can be seen in the watch industry. On one hand, the o... 

Trust me.....I'm very tempted

 
By: CL : June 29th, 2009-18:08
But I have to behave for a while after getting the PLM Tourbillon and I have yet tried it on my wrist. I have this thing about round watches over 40mm on my wrist. I tried RL before and it doesn't look elegant on me. It works for others who have thin wris... 

That is unfortunate to hear...

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-06:18
You are the opposite of me! For me , i don't do under 40mm! Well, in any case, you'v got a superb piece there yourself! Did you get the tourbillion PLM in Platinum? Cheers Stephen

No...for the PLM tourbillon,

 
By: CL : June 30th, 2009-07:05
I prefer the YG, more traditional. For the RL PLM, I prefer the Platin and for the ZeitWerk, I like both WG and Platin...  

An excellent masterpiece you have there!

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-10:10
Great in any metal, and your personal choices are wonderful too! Wear your piece in good health always! Cheers Stephen

My friend....

 
By: KIH : June 29th, 2009-17:26
Will there be such events during my stay ? Thanks for your detailed report! Ken

AFAIK Ken, there is nothing else coming up...

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-06:19
Sorry that you missed it! But well, you are coming for a wonderful watch yourself! Good to know! Hope to see you then! Stephen

Yes, another big thanks for me

 
By: tahoeblue : June 29th, 2009-20:12
for an inspiring report and an inspiring passion for Lange and high horology.

My highest pleasure to bring this to you!

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-06:21
I do hope it was good, but my apologies for the quality of the photos, most of them aren't very good, but i'm not very good at photography, so please understand! Cheers Stephen

Great report Stephen.............

 
By: Topcat30093 : June 30th, 2009-08:09
Thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the photos, especially of the pocket watch that started it all off, 100 years ago. The Lange 31 looks like one very BIG watch, especially when on the wrist and it seems to me that the Zeitwerk is not too far behind it!!

It sure is...

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-10:11
But at 45.9mm in diameter, i still say they could have made it bigger! ( I am personally biased to giant watches you see!) They are all just right for me! Love it all! Glad you enjoyed the coverage! Stephen

Thanks, Stephen. Looks like you had a great time too.

 
By: ron2 : June 30th, 2009-05:07
I loved all the pics. It's really nice since you certainly took a lot more than I. I am sure you are excited to get all those lucky 7 beauties that will be arriving throughout the year. I'd love to go to your showing too!! Will it be by invitation only?? ... 

Dou itashimashite Ron san!

 
By: BluNotte : June 30th, 2009-06:26
I'm sure you had a great time too! It would indeed be my pleasure to get to meet you one day! Maybe we should arrange to meet at the boutique one day soon! Congratulations once again in getting your 1st Lange, whatever it is, i'm sure it's perfect! Cheers... 

Would be fun.....

 
By: ron2 : July 1st, 2009-07:03
so after a little while, PM me and let's see if we can get our schedules to work. Ron

Will do Ron!

 
By: BluNotte : July 2nd, 2009-07:58
Maybe sometimes next week would be alright with you? Cheers Stephen

Thanks a LOT for sharing...

 
By: Rob : June 30th, 2009-14:29
Your enthusiasm and happiness most certainly bubbles over onto your actual report. I think that makes reading this write up such a nice and happy one to be a part of. Congrats on your upcoming pieces and can't wait to see those too!! Thanks again for shar... 

As always Rob, you know me!

 
By: BluNotte : July 1st, 2009-02:38
Especially when the party deals with my absolutely most favourite watch marque in the world! I only wish that I could do better, BUT, i'm not a photographer! Cheers Stephen

Great post, Stephen!

 
By: dxboon : July 1st, 2009-00:14
It looks like you had a fantastic time with the folks at Lange. They've made some of the most incredible watches of recent years IMO. I thought the photos of the Zeitwerk concept art were fascinating and really showcased the evolution of the timepiece's d... 

Danke Daos!

 
By: BluNotte : July 1st, 2009-02:40
Did you have a wonderful birthday celebration as well? I have full confidence that Lange will continue to impress all of us for a long time to come! I look forward with zest to my pieces arriving soon too! Cheers Stephen

No worries Andrew!

 
By: BluNotte : July 2nd, 2009-08:01
It's rare to see you here on the ALS forum, glad to see you here then! Cheers Stephen

Great Event!

 
By: patrick_y : July 2nd, 2009-10:38
Great photos Stephen! I especially appreciated the photos of the enamel dial; as it illustrates clearly the three individual pieces pieced together. Beautiful food, and fantastic dessert with fantastic company. I really liked the Zeitwerke dessert! And I ... 

Sure was!

 
By: BluNotte : July 2nd, 2009-16:19
The dessert was indeed nice, I do love the jelly with the numerals on them, they tasted unique! The Zeitwerk is fascinating, and I'v already made up my decision a while back to get it (plus i managed to get my number this time as well), so all the more re... 

Wow!

 
By: VMM : July 6th, 2009-05:00
Lucky you! Would loved to be part of that event. Thanks a lot for sharing. I am sure you all had a fantastic time. Beautiful timepieces, delicious food and inetresting people to share some passion. Thanks! Vte

Thanks!

 
By: BluNotte : July 6th, 2009-07:18
And much welcomed that you enjoyed the presentation! Cheers Stephen

THANK YOU

 
By: ocwatching : July 29th, 2009-11:09
for a detailed account of the event..the watches were wonderful...and of course..the meal... THANKS!