A. Lange & Söhne

First of all, thank you so much for sharing your insights on the pros and cons of the Zeitwerk in this thread! All the comments were incredibly helpful in gathering perspectives from owners who have lived with the watch well beyond the honeymoon phase.

My love for the Zeitwerk began 10 years ago when I first tried it at the Lange Boutique in Dresden. I passed on the opportunity to buy it then—and again later at an AD here in Switzerland. Instead, I purchased the 1815 Anniversary F.A. Lange, which remains an incredible watch to this day. Over the years, I’ve bought (and let go of) several other watches, but my passion for the Zeitwerk has never wavered. When the second version was released in 2022, I immediately contacted the local boutique (no more ADs, as you know), but acquiring one wasn’t easy—waitlists, prepayments, and so on.

I’m thrilled to share that I finally found my favorite reference, the Zeitwerk Ref. 142.031. I’m excited to present my first impressions and photos with all of you. Without further ado, here’s my initial review.

The rose gold case and black dial combination is simply stunning—elegant yet understated. At 41.9 mm, the size is fantastic. Despite my small wrist, the watch fits beautifully. The case thickness has been reduced to 12.2 mm (from 12.6 mm in the first version), and while both feel wearable, the newer version feels especially refined—perhaps due to a slightly thinner bezel. Some might find the broad dial, designed to emphasize the highly legible time display, gives the watch a larger appearance. For me, it’s absolutely perfect.

Winding is exceptionally smooth on this version. I’ve experienced no issues whatsoever.

I also wanted to share a few photos from the A. Lange & Söhne flagship boutique in Frankfurt. The staff were true gentlemen: extraordinarily cordial, knowledgeable, and professional.

One highlight for me was the wall display showcasing the various components inside a watch. It’s a wonderful visual reminder of the immense complexity behind creations like the Zeitwerk.

I also had the chance to try the Zeitwerk Date. While it’s slightly larger, I still found it wearable. However, I personally prefer the standard Zeitwerk—it’s more compact, and I find the black dial far more elegant.

Pros:

• Unique complication and time display—truly one of a kind (while the Vagabondage offers a similar concept, it’s less legible and even harder to acquire).

• Comfortable with excellent wrist presence.

• Not overly thick for such a complex watch.

• Outstanding boutique experience.

• Lange straps are among the most comfortable—luxuriously thick alligator leather in Lange’s signature configuration.

• Exceptional movement.

• Exceptional movement. (Yes, it’s worth mentioning twice!)

• Excellent power reserve (72 hours) and easy winding.

Cons:

• The presentation box could be more luxurious or reimagined as a leather pouch. My 1815 Anniversary came in a solid wood box, even though it was less expensive. The Zeitwerk’s box is marked “Made in Germany,” so perhaps its quality has improved since the earlier “fake leatherette” boxes, which didn’t age well. Regardless, I hope it withstands the test of time.

• Availability is a challenge.

I hope you enjoyed this short (and mostly visual) review! I’ll be sharing more photos in the coming days.

Best regards,

Christian