A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk: Reference Guide
Reference Guide

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk: Reference Guide

By quattro · Mar 5, 2025 · 39 replies
quattro
WPS member · A. Lange & Söhne forum
39 replies9668 views98 photos
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Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, presents an invaluable photographic compendium of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk. This meticulously curated overview not only showcases the 18 distinct variants of this horological marvel but also provides crucial historical context by linking its digital display to significant pocket watch predecessors. His work serves as an essential resource for both seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts seeking to understand the evolution and breadth of the Zeitwerk collection.

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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 

About the A. Lange and Söhne Academia Ref. 140.025

The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk reference 140.025 is a notable variant within the Zeitwerk collection, distinguished by its platinum case and rhodié dial. This reference is part of the initial Zeitwerk series, which introduced a highly innovative mechanical jumping numerals display for hours and minutes, a significant departure from traditional analog timekeeping in a wristwatch. Its design emphasizes legibility and a modern aesthetic while adhering to Lange's traditional standards of finishing and engineering.

This particular Zeitwerk features a 41.9 mm platinum case with a thickness of 12.6 mm, housing the manual-winding caliber L043.1. The movement provides a power reserve of 36 hours and is visible through a sapphire crystal caseback. The dial is crafted from solid silver with a rhodié finish, providing a monochromatic and sophisticated appearance. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal on the front and offers water resistance up to 3 ATM.

For collectors, the 140.025 represents an important early iteration of the Zeitwerk, a model that challenged conventional watchmaking with its digital display. It appeals to those who appreciate mechanical innovation combined with a distinctive design language. The platinum case and rhodié dial variant is considered a classic within the Zeitwerk family, offering a subtle yet luxurious presentation of its complex horological mechanism.

Specifications

Caliber
L043.1
Case
Platinum
Diameter
41.9 mm
Dial
Solid silver, rhodié
Water Resist.
3 ATM
Crystal
Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
NE
netwatches
Mar 5, 2025
Very Very Nice review👌🏻Thanks a lot! The Phantom is my dream🤩….

QU
quattro
Mar 5, 2025
Thanks for your enthusiasm!

My personal favourites are the yellow gold and rose gold OG. Best, Emmanuel

DE
dedestexhes
Mar 5, 2025
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

QU
quattro
Mar 5, 2025
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

MB
mblum3
Mar 5, 2025
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 beautiful. Must be really something to be there. I understand that was the inspiration for the big date. Thanks as always for the great post!

QU
quattro
Mar 5, 2025
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 one of my dreams! I've only been in Dresden once on my way to Poland, but didn't stay more than a day, unfortunately. Best, Emmanuel

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