my humble opinion : a match made in heaven ....

Aug 29, 2013,00:10 AM
 

a conflict resolved : simplicity vs elaborate, another paradox i enjoy .

the constant reminder of this watch here is killing me.  smile

really wished it wasn't limited to the few lucky and previleged.

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

My view on the Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst

 
 By: foversta : August 28th, 2013-14:07
I'm not going to unnecessarily prolong the suspense: the Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst is one of the finest contemporary Lange & Söhne watches. Thanks to its special decorative approach, it manages to highlight the talent of the craftsmen who worked on the ...  

What a watch !

 
 By: Jacques-Olivier : August 28th, 2013-14:17
And as usual, great, great review, thanks Fx !

Thanks Jacques-Olivier.

 
 By: foversta : August 28th, 2013-14:23
Yes... this watch has something special what puts it at the top of the Lange hill with other iconic pieces... Fx

In complete agreement!

 
 By: patrick_y : August 28th, 2013-15:20
I didn't know that Lange made the escape wheel and pallet in 18K gold. Thanks for this information. One more Pro, 18K Gold escape wheel and pallet. Two more Cons; hard to get due to only 30 available, winding the watch can be difficult as the mainspring h... 

Thanks Patrick for your words.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:29
About the winding topic, I didn't feel the same. Obviously, it takes time to get used with it and you don't have the same feeling than with a 1815 but for me it was not an issue. I had the feeling to wind a powerful movement! Fx

Thoughts on scarcity

 
 By: colton_d : August 28th, 2013-15:33
Excellent and informative review, Fx. This interpretation of the Zeitwerk immediately spoke to me when it was first unveiled, and my appreciation has only grown since. I wonder, how do you feel about this reference being offered as a boutique LE? No doubt... 

I can't clearly answer you Colton.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:43
The points you are underlining are very interesting. But again, as I said in another reply, the magic of the watch wouldn't be the same if the number of produced watch was higher. If you set this number close or similar to another LE, the exceptional side... 

I have a similar issue

 
 By: 4Js : August 28th, 2013-16:15
Such tremendous work should not be limited to so few pieces. It is recognized the amount of talent and time required. But, extending orders over several years would at least allow serious lovers a chance to own such a piece. I was gravely disappointed to ... 

Thanks Joe for your comments.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:27
And you know... the WG Zeitwerk is maybe the iconic version! I love it with the high contrast between the timebridge and the dial. Thanks! Fx

78 Rubies?

 
 By: riksuo : August 28th, 2013-18:07
Regular zeitwerk has 68 rubies in its movement, however, this one has 78. Anyone know what are 10 more rubies used for? Thanks a lot.

No, this watch has 68 jewels.

 
 By: foversta : August 29th, 2013-09:59
And 66 for the classic Zeitwerk. The additional two jewels are located on the pallet fork. Best regards. Fx

This is a mistake?

 
 By: riksuo : August 29th, 2013-15:43
Hi foversta, base on your photos, this watch has 78 rubies since there is '78' on its 3/4 plate. Moreover, I looked at a classic zeitwerk last night, it does have 68 rubies. So, is there a mistake ? Thanks a lot

I come back to you. [nt]

 
 By: foversta : August 30th, 2013-13:42

Any news?

 
 By: riksuo : September 2nd, 2013-16:28
Hi foversta, any news about rubies issue? Thanks a lot

my humble opinion : a match made in heaven ....

 
 By: a.ler : August 29th, 2013-00:10
a conflict resolved : simplicity vs elaborate, another paradox i enjoy . the constant reminder of this watch here is killing me. :) really wished it wasn't limited to the few lucky and previleged.

Made in heaven...

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:26
And the heaven is located in Glashutte! ;) You are right, there is something magic in this watch. Thanks! Fx

Thank you so much FX for this thorough review and .....

 
 By: Sandgroper : August 29th, 2013-04:31
beautiful pictures. I have always been "intrigued" maybe "attracted" in a way by the Zeitwerk perhaps because a House like Lange & Sohne had the courage to do it? Probably because it so different but never ever thought that I may one day contemplate t... 

Thanks François for your words!

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:25
You know, the zeitwerk is exactly the kind of watches we expect from Lange: classic but original and very innovative technically speaking. We don't have to forget that it was the Lange 1 case when it was unveiled in 1994. Thanks! Fx

«Tradition is not guarding the ashes but fuel the fire»

 
 By: heartbreaker : August 29th, 2013-11:03
Thank you, F.X., for your thorough review! I've recently read somewhere the following statement: «Tradition is not guarding the ashes but fuel the fire». Well, I agree with you when you write "the Zeitwerk provides an ideal context for such an exercise", ... 

Thanks Elio for your input.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:23
And the sentence you are mentioning is really excellent. About the LE topic, if we forget the production time such piece requires, the limited number of available watches helps to create more desire and you know this perfectly. Frustration contributes to ... 

Hi,love is something like that whenever i see this watch i try to find words for them .

 
 By: bulentvural93 : August 30th, 2013-01:05
This time i would say creme dela to see the details thank for your work. Regards...

I had the same feeling than you!

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:14
It was difficult to find words to describe it! Fx

Excellent work sir.. [nt]

 
 By: Horology75 : August 30th, 2013-07:11

Thanks Ovi! [nt]

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:13

RLPLM Handwerkskunst is still the reference watch with tremblage

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : August 30th, 2013-15:27
This decoration suits much, much better a RG watch with a beautiful movement and face. It is not all praise here for the ZW The embossed letters do not look elegant enough, the barrel lid is (most likely) not made out of yellow gold and the decoration of ... 

Well... I tend to disagree with you Moritz.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:13
I found the tremblage perfect on this context and the WG colour more suitable for this technique. Anyway, I think it is a matter of taste and I can understand the fascinating side of the Richard Lange Tourbillon PLM. Thanks for your comments! Fx

Speechless !

 
 By: Seeks : August 31st, 2013-01:38
Fantastic watch and outstanding HQ pics! The light, the macro shots..Many thanks for taking the time and sharing, FX

Thanks Seeks, it was a pleasure.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:10
I was very happy to be able to see it since I missed it in Paris in May... Fx

While I respct the technologically and aestetically marvelous model....

 
 By: KIH : August 31st, 2013-20:28
... I just cannot like this watch, meaning Zeitwerk in general. I have tried very hard to love it, as a Lange fan, but somehow I still don't "get" the size of it most of all, and what is so great about this watch as an owner...... I must be one of a very ... 

Thanks Ken for your comments.

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:10
But I'm sure that with your cufflinks you will change your mind! ;) Fx

Daha!

 
 By: KIH : September 1st, 2013-01:33
I know what you mean... :-) 7:52, huh?

Yes!

 
 By: foversta : September 1st, 2013-01:45
And it is funny because at the end I don't have so many wristshots with 7:52... I found this one! Fx ...  

This Handswerkskunst is definitely something!

 
 By: BluNotte : September 14th, 2013-13:49
Danke fur this review Xavier! Tschuss Stephen

Phenomenal watch [nt]

 
 By: AK797 : October 6th, 2013-02:42

Thank you

 
 By: Le Monde Edmond : October 6th, 2013-09:15
For the great writeup on indeed an interesting, very detailed watch. I have yet to see one in real life. For me the big downside to all the lange zweitwerk watches are the weight (especially the platinum ones). They are indeed very very heavy. Else a marv...