Alkiro1 initiates a compelling comparison of digital display watches, spotlighting the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk against its key rivals. This discussion delves into the intricate mechanics and aesthetic philosophies behind jumping hour and minute complications, offering a critical perspective on these horological marvels.
Hi all,
To my knowledge, I only know today three contenders to the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk which has been released in 2009. I mean by “contender” a watch which offers a digital display with jumping hours and minutes.
For the record, the Zeitwerk “entry-level” (four versions in yellow, pink and rose gold + platinum) is not a limited edition (something really significant here) even if the yearly production is probably very low all models/references taken together.
Apart from the regular model (picture below), the Zeitwerk has several references: the Striking Time, the Decimal Strike, the Minute Repeater, the Handwerkskunst (limited edition of 30 pieces only) and the Luminous (limited edition of 100 pieces).
The regular version measures 41.9mm with an height of 12.6mm which is quite big but ok for my wrist trust me 😉
1/ The François-Paul Journe Vagabondage II
Launched few months after the first Zeitwerk iteration, the Vagabondage II has an incredible appeal for me with its unusual case called “flat turtle shape” and, compared to the other contenders (we’ll see that later), a very thin case (8mm) for a case size of 45x37.5mm.
This watch has been made in a total of 137 pieces (LE of 69 pieces in platinum and 68 pieces in red gold).
Some say (Arie 😉) that its dial looks like a “crooked Christmas tree” which is pretty true no? But it’s not a problem for me here as I love it. The dial is nicely filled (at least for me) and charming.
Credit: Jay (Eire)
2/ The DeWitt Academia Mathematical
I’ve had the chance to see this rare timepiece (28 pieces only) in real during the last SIHH. This watch has been unveiled in 2015 (if I’m not mistaken). It’s only available in rose gold and has a round case size of 42.5mm which is very similar to the one of the “classic” Zeitwerk (41.9mm).
I rade that its height is 11.9mm but, believe me (Watchonthewrist could confirm my words), it’s not the case as I compared it to my Zeitwerk. I asked to the seller who gave me an approximate height of 15mm (almost the double than the Vagabondage II) 😳
Please note that it’s the only jumping hours/minutes in this comparison with an automatic mouvement.
This watch has a very cool dial with several levels for the reading of time and the different discs. I like how the dial is filled and how all the numerals seem to dance like a ballet.
It offers a strange specificity with its crown. If you want to wind it, you have to pull the crown which is traditionally dedicated to set the time. Then here, if you want to set the time, you have to start from the first position and push the crown downwards and turn it. Pretty strange and unusual to be honest.
Sorry for this awful second shot which try to compare the size and style with my Zeitwerk.
3/ The IWC Tribute to Pallweber
Here is the fourth watch of my selection which has been unveiled this year during the SIHH. If I’m not particularly fan of IWC in general, I’ve been attracted by this one (that probably wants to mean I love watches with a digital display 😋).
This watch is a new interpretation of a pocket watch made at the end of the 19th century. It’s aesthetically pretty close to the original version. Its case size is 45mm (the biggest of our selection if we put aside the FPJ which is not round) for an height of 12mm almost similar to the Zeitwerk. Of course the ratio diameter/height is more significant here than the Zeitwerk.
I’ve had not the chance to handle and compare it to my Zeitwerk unfortunately. My feeling about it is pretty good even if I find the hour and minute windows a little bit too small. At the same time, the dial is totally in sync with its ancestor which makes sense.
If the second shot below is a new pocket watch iteration, the wrist watches have been made in three different dials all in limited editions: platinum and white dial with a blue background for the hour and minute windows (25 pieces - Not visible on my second shot below), red gold and white dial (250 pieces) and a stainless steel and blue dial (500 pieces) which is my favourite as the size perception is reduced here.
Phew! Thanks for reading 😁
What are your thoughts about all these timepieces?
Best wishes
Alkiro
