quattro
[Moderator]
4535
Overview of the Zeitwerk
Here's a photographic overview of the 18 variants to date of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk.
As it's often mentioned that a digital display with jumping hours and minutes was not uncommon among pocket watches, I've included three of them at the end (among which the IWC Pallweber).
An interesting link has also been made here by Alkiro1 with the Zeitwerk 'contenders' (the F.P. Journe Vagabondage II, the DeWitt Academia Mathematical and the IWC Tribute to Pallweber).
If you're interested in the Zeitwerk, Ive found the articles by Monochrome and Sjx very helpful.
Best to you all,
Emmanuel
A/ TIME ONLY (41.9 x 12.2 mm case)
1/ Original models from 2009 with cal. L043.1
a/ Yellow gold ref. 140.021
credit: hairspring
b/ White gold ref. 140.029
credit: a collected man
c/ Pink Gold ref. 140.032
credit: Nymans Ur 1851 (1) & watch patrol
d/ Platinum ref. 140.025
credit: wind vintage & watchesmiles (last photo)
2/ Ref. 140.049 in platinum from 2011: unique piece made in memory of Duncan Wang, patron of the Kidz Horizon Appeal Charity, to the benefit of which it was sold at auction (check here, here & there)
3/ Updated 2022 variants with cal. L043.6
a/ Pink Gold ref. 142.031
credit: hodinkee
b/ Platinum ref. 142.025
credit: bexsonn (1) & k2luxury
B/ LUMINOUS 'PHANTOM' or LUMEN (41.9 x 12.6 mm case)
1/ Platinum ref. 140.35 from 2010 with cal. L043.3
credit: hairspring & European watch company (4-5)
2/ Honeygold ref. 142.055 from 2021 with cal. L043.1
credit: les rhabilleurs (1) & European watch company
C/ STRIKING TIME with cal. 043.2 (44.2 x 13.1 mm case)
1/ White Gold ref. 145.029 from 2011
credit: watchesmiles & keystone
2/ Platinum ref. 145.025 from 2011
credit: watches.de
3/ Pink Gold ref. 145.032 from 2014
credit: a blog to watch
D/ HANDWERKSKUNST (41.9 x 12.6 mm case)
Platinum ref. 140.048 from 2012 with cal. L043.4
credit: k2luxury
E/ MINUTE REPEATER with cal. L043.5 (44.2 x 14.1 mm case)
1/ Platinum ref. 147.025F from 2015 (other gorgeous shots by amanico can be seen here)
credit: premium watch Ginza
2/ White Gold ref. 147.028F from 2015
credit: François-Xavier Overstake aka foversta here on WPS
3/ Honeygold ref. 147.050F from 2023
credit: padthai co on YouTube
F/ DECIMAL STRIKE (44.2 x 13.1 mm case)
Honeygold ref. 143.050 from 2017 with cal. L043.7
credit: hodinkee (1) & Sjx
G/ DATE (44.2 x 12.3 mm case)
White gold ref. 148.038 from 2019 with cal. L043.8
credit: the second hand club
H/ ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS
1/ Five-minutes clock of the Dresden Semper Opera House
2/ Early concepts for a digital watch
credit: Sjx
3/ The hour and minutes discs & the bat wing-shaped time bridge
credit: A. Lange & Söhne
4/ Rare silver GT Jump Digital pocket watch circa 1890
credit: atlam watches through antiqueboutique
5/ 1900s Jump Hour 14K Gold Swiss Savonette Hunter Pocket Watch
credit: empressissi
6/ IWC Pallweber and Tribute to Pallweber Edition 150 years pocket & wrist watch (the link between the Zeitwerk and the Pallweber has also been highlighted here by foversta)
credit: Sjx
credit: hodinkee
8/ Technical sheets
credit: monochrome
Overview of the Zeitwerk
Here's a photographic overview of the 18 variants to date of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk . As it's often mentioned that a digital display with jumping hours and minutes was not uncommon among pocket watches , I've included three of them at the end (amon...
Thanks for your enthusiasm!
My personal favourites are the yellow gold and rose gold OG. Best, Emmanuel
Mmm, how did I not commit to the Phantom when I visited the factory…
I was so close…. Anyway, I think every member on this forum has had the same feeling sooner or later. Dirk
As, I'm never very fond of opened dial,
I personally prefer the yellow or pink gold OG variants. But, of course, the 'phantom' is very special and I certainly understand why you like so much! Best, Emmanuel
You’ve outdone yourself Emmanuel!
Amazing. I’m going to have to spend more time than I have right now reading this. I like very much the one with the date and the texture of the handwerkunst. There are so many beautiful aspects to all of them. The picture of the Dresden Opera House is bea...
Thank you so much, mblum3!
I agree that the grainy texture of the Handwerkskunst is incredibly attractive: it like it also very much on the decimal strike (and I love the honey gold color scheme of this one). And attending a concert of the Staatskapelle Dresden in the Semperoper is...
Emmanuel, outstanding post!
Very frustrating, as I scrolled and thought, this is the one I would love to own…then the next ALS would be slightly more attractive. How could you do this to me!! ;-)
I'm so sorry Larry ! ;-)
It's Lange's fault: they are doing too many beautiful variants! Unfortunately, I’ve tried on the 2022 time only pink gold version and it's too big for my wrist. But I think aesthetically my favorite version would be the OG yellow or pink gold. Thank you f...
Yes, impressive variety.
I just wish it would fit my wrist better (it's too big unfortunately). But it's certainly among Lange's best creations.
Such a unique looking watch.
I tried on a Striking Time at the Miami Boutique in 2019 and was floored by the watch. Truly remarkable! I was thinking the one I tried on was Honey Gold. Was there ever a special release with this metal, in that era? ...
As far as I know, the only honeygold striking Zeitwerk
is the Decimal strike ref. 143.050 from 2017. The one on your photo is most likely the pink gold ref. 145.032 from 2014. And it looks very good on your wrist! Best, Emmanuel
Emmanuel, thank you for this wonderful summary!
I was so happy when Lange introduced the ZW. Unlike most other people it seems, the Phantom/Luminous models never appealed to me very much, especially compared to the Lange 1 Lumen models. Also never loved the Handwekskunst version of the ZW. I do love th...
My personal favorites are the OG yellow and pink gold variants.
But I also like the pink gold striking and honeygold decimal. Anyway, even the smaller versions are too big for my wrist, unfortunately... Thank you for your comment. Best, Emmanuel
I understand! I have a small wrist (154mm/6"), so I decided years ago...
... that nothing can be too big, even if it looks ridiculous on me, unless it physically doesn't fit. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to enjoy many cool watches! ...
Welcome to the site and thanks for chiming in.
Completely agree with you! Best, Emmanuel
Thank you and may I say this is excellent work on the Zeit !
I have enjoyed looking at all the pieces. NOW... If I was a guy !... I would LOOOVE a honey gold lumen. Unfortunately THATS a watch that is way too big for me. BUT... that said.... I might go for it anyway. lol
Thanks for the kind words,
much appreciated ! For such a high price I personally want to be able to wear the watch comfortably (according to what I feel comfortable with), so the Zeitwerk isn’t for me, unfortunately. But if you or anyone feels comfortable with the big size, then th...
Agree. Hopefully, one day
they will slightly reduce case size. At some point some watches begin to feel too much like a converted pocket watch if the size is off on the wrist and can ruin the experience.
Let's wait and see,
but the constant-force mechanism takes some space and the L043.5 has a diameter of 37.7mm. So reducing the size of such a watch would be a real challenge!
Wow!
That Duncan Wang piece unique is stunning! Never seen it before. I'm such a sucker for the first gen yellow gold ZW. The Striking Time models definitely add more visual interest (and auditory) and would be my first choice if money were no object! Thanks f...
I couldn't agree more: this yellow gold OG is gorgeous.
But, unfortunately, even this smaller variant is too big for my wrist. Thank you for your comment. Best, Emmanuel
Another incredible and great post dear quattro .
A Zeitwerk is still high on my list and tbh i don’t have a real favorite .all incredible watches imho
Yes, the model as a whole, with its different iterations is really great.
Unfortunately, it suits larger wrists much better than smaller ones like mine! Best, Emmanuel
Another terrific post, Quattro.
I love what you’re doing with these pictorial deep dives with various classic watches. Btw, I recognized Foversta’s shirt before you mentioned his name. Some things you never forget.
Ah, yes, his shirts and photos are instantly recognizable !
I’m glad you enjoy these deep dives. Thanks for the kind words. Best, Emmanuel
Great overview of the zeitwerk
After seeing the watch over the years, I have to say the only zeitwerk that works for me is the phantom/lumen.. All other versions I find the 4 quadrants to be too empty
Thank you!
Your point of view is interesting. I personally don't respond to the Lumen because I don't like openwork dials (or, rather, I prefer solid dials). But I understand how you feel. Did you acquire the Lumen or any other ALS? Best regards, Emmanuel
I wanted the HG lumen
But it wasn’t allocated to me as the boutique started their bundling nonsense.. my als collection now is only the 1815 time only and the Lange 1 in grey dial
