A. Lange & Söhne

Dear Zeitwerk enthusiasts,

as "foversta" and "amanico" have watered your mouths with photos and ardent comments about this watch, I thought all of you, who are not native German speakers, might like to muse on some thoughts concerning the watch´s name: Zeitwerk.

Although I am not infected by the "Zeitwerk-bug", I think Lange found a magnificent name for their latest development!

The name is composed of two parts: Zeit - Werk.

"Zeit" - quite easy, is the German word for "time".
"Werk" - as a noun means "art", "creation", "opus" (lat.), but also "plant", "factory", "work" or "station".

"Werk" in the German language exists in many compound words, which - IMO - are alluded to by the Lange developers to express certain watch qualities.

1. The most obvious one being: "Uhr-werk", meaning "movement" or "clockwork".

2. "Hand-werk" means "handcraft" (manu-facture (lat.)), "artisanry".

3. "Kunst-werk" is a "work of art".

4. "Kraft-werk" means "plant" or "powerhouse".

5. "Wasser-werk"/"Gas-werk" are "waterworks"/"gasworks" which are the central (and sometimes only) suppliers for water and gas. At least they had this monopoly in former times. Whatever you are delievered is measured by special "meters", which we also know from "chrono-meters".

If you look at all these words, the underlying message suggests, you get a watch which is handcrafted, contains a manufacture movement and is a very powerful and reliable technical piece to meter the time. Also it is a piece of art that is supplied by the watch company, pointing out the exclusive character of the watch, that you won´t get elsewhere.

I do not know whether all these appeals very actually intended by Lange, but they may easily be missed by all those being unacquainted with the German language.

So, maybe all those may enjoy the "Zeitwerk" even more, knowing a bit more about the story "behind the name".

Kind regards,

anaesdoc

 

P.S. I am not associated with the Lange PR department in any way. These are just my very personal speculations and thoughts !

 

I forgot an important sixth point:

6. "Meister-werk" meaning "masterpiece",  what the Lange people (and many others) believe this watch to be.

Regards,

anaesdoc

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I wasn't fully thinking about the name's meaning itself, I simply took the name for granted.

From my very very limited understanding of the German language; I understand Meisterstuck is the traditional way of saying masterpiece if the object pertaining is a normal three-dimensional object.

Here's another one; Bayiersche Motoren Werke; aka Bavarian Motor Works; aka BMW (cars and motorcycles).

..."Meisterstueck" and "Meisterwerk" have, Patrick.

A "Meisterstueck" is the crafted item, that an assistant has to prepare at the end of his education/training to be granted the title of a "master" by the board of craftsmen. This originates from the tradition of artisanry. E.g. when you look on the Lange homepage or their catalogue you will be able to spot the pocketwatch that Walter Lange crafted for his master examination in 1946. This "Meisterstueck" should demonstrate the craftsman´s manual abilities, that qualified him to be a "Meister"=master in his profession. In this regard there is no room for subjectivity.

A "Meisterwerk" means an outstanding piece of art, design, construction, literature or music. In contrast to the master´s title this is no title, that is rewarded or held.
E.g. the Mona Lisa is (at least to some) such a thing, but this illustrates, that the designation "Meisterwerk" is subject to personal opinion and the changing tastes throughout the time.

It´s a bit tricky, isn´t it? German is really difficult sometimes, but versatility is the other side of the coin.

"BMW" - you are right - also contains the "Werke", obviously in the sense of "plant, fabrication". How could I miss that, knowing there are quite some motorsport enthusiasts around here !

Regards,

anaesdoc

This is the stuff those German instructional books can't teach you. The proper word usage, discreet conjugations, etc.

Thank you for explaining it to me. You deserve the Meister- prefix! This message has been edited by patrick_y on 2009-06-23 09:52:14

thanks for the instructive post. And surely, if i ever get my hand on that Lange, i will have to re-read ur post

Karim

.. as you even start joking in that language. My compliments!

Carry on, particularly if you are fond of ALS, because part of their technical DNA can also be felt in the German language. In a way, I hold the view that every nation is partially characterized by its language and the way to put things verbally (might be a thread for "TimeOut")

Best regards,

anaesdoc

Very interesting to know what is behind the name of this watch.

Maybe we should ask Lange about the true meaning of this name?

Best,

Nicolas.

is - IMO, Nicolas - what Lange intended with their designation: the allusions may meander many ways and in one or the other direction this throws a favorable light on this watch, which makes it even more glittering.
The problem- as pointed out - being, that international customers will not have these associations, just as I would very likely not get them in French/Spanish or any other language.

But maybe I´m wrong, and someone will be able to contact the Lange PR/Design for clarification. Or will they keep the secret?

All the best,

anaesdoc

Before reading your post I simply took the name Zeitwerk at face value to mean "time work," but having reviewed your post I see that it's quite possible the good folks at Lange may have been trying to bring several different concepts to our minds with the name.

Thanks for the etymological exercise!

Cheers,
Daos

Hi Daos,

thanks for your appreciation. My kids regard my soft spot for language as an irritating flimsiness, particularly as they are targeted themselves at times - colloquial expressions they use - and Daddy occasionally nagging at them.

Guess, the dosage makes the poison in that regard as well!

Cordially (with courtesy to "Dr. No" )

anaesdoc 

Thank you for the story behind it all.

Much appreciated.

Stephen

You seem to have a certain affinity towards some basic German expressions, if I am right?

I noticed you occasionally closing your posts with a German "Tschuess" meaning "Bye" or "Ciao". What would that be in your native tongue?
(So that I can learn a bit myself )

Best regards,

anaesdoc

Jah, I do indeed have an affinity for anything Deutsch!

Now, if only my German was much better!

Well, my native tongue would be English, unless you count the Indonesian and the Mandarin!

In which case they would either be " selamat" for the Indonesian, or " Chai Jien" for the Mandarin!

I look forward to seeing you here much anaesdoc!

Tschuss!

Stefan

At least I know how to say "Bye" from now on:  "Selamat" or "Chai Jien" !

Amazed you bother with a strange language like German as you already have to cope with three other ones!

anaesdoc

3 Others?! More than 6 others! ( Mandarin, indonesian, Deutsch, Italian, French, Japanese)

I love Languages! And Deutsch is DEFINITELY not strange! It is one of the best, and boy do i wish to learn it more!

Einen schonen Tag!

Stefan

 

Hi Stefan,

Just "Werk" on it a bit.



Amery

Und ich werde mehr von Ihrer Hilfe besonders brauchen!

Ist dieses richtige?

Tschuss!

Stefan

Just PM me with a piece of text in german or english-into-german or whatever you like!

Do we want platiinum for - everything?

Yes we do!

herzliche Grüsse von

Amery

Lieber Stepan,

"Und ich werde mehr von Ihrer Hilfe besonders brauchen!

Ist dieses richtige?

Tschuss!

Stefan"

would be correct as: ……

Und ich könnte mehr von Deiner Hilfe gebrauchen!

ist das richtig?

Tschuß!

----------------

Elementary, Dr. Watson!

But the element platinum is

Whow-bang-zing-zum ---.OH MOAN- Lium?

And indeed it is.

For me, in combitation with a RL PLM, the - very, very ONLY possibility.!

The next best thing to having one is (almost) to read your report on it. … :.-)

I have a very, very, VERY slim chance myself - but only if ... and if ... and ONLY if someone withdraws their order.

Not you of course.

Curses and Donnerwetter to you,
Amery

Danke for the superb language information!

Unfortunately my computer cannot type out the umlauts, but yes, of course I know about them!

Naturlich, for the Richard Lange "Pour le Merite", it should only be executed in Platine.

I'm sad to hear that you could not manage to get yours, but I　fought with all I had to acquire mine in MY number!

No giving up on that part! LoL!

I hope to not disappoint you then with my report, but once again, i'm not exactly well known for writing good reports, so please don't look forward too much to it!

Cheers

Stephen

Steven,

but way over the top from me, And if apologies are required - then a thousand times apologies again! Please, no offense ...

It's just madcap me. -

trying to cool it down with a simple RL in the-only-acceptable-material. on the wrist.

And wishing you the greatest joy with the PLM and Zeitgeist - when they arrive!

We want to know about it.

Now I am no longer cool - but feverish - waiting for your ferociously well-worded reports!

But now the time has come to end this sub-sub-sub post.

Freundlich beabsichtigt!

Amery

P.S. Donnerwetter!!!

I was pulling at your legs too!

The RL is of course a very good choice, and one that I still will love even after my PLM arrives!

The RL is my watch for this very beautiful Sunday, btw!

Don'T worry, you will be one of the 1st to know when my PLM & Zeitwerk arrives!

And i am going to the Zeitwerk party tomorrow night, it will be similar to the one that Ron2 in the above post went to, but well, I will try to take some more shots of the party scene if possible!

Thank you Amery for always following up to such a sub post, much appreciated, from your perfectionist friend!

Stefan