Manufacturer: A. Lange & Söhne Year: 2011 Reference No: 140.032 / LS1404AD Movement No: 86'770 Case No: 191'657 Model Name: Zeitwerk Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. L043.1, 78 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold pin buckle Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, outer packaging, International Guarantee, product literature, leather folio and travel case.
Catalogue Essay
10 years after the groundbreaking Datograph chronograph in 1999, Lange & Söhne would introduce another technically impressive timepiece that would mark its era: the Zeitwerk.
This timepiece is a modern masterpiece of watchmaking, one that allies tradition and innovation in a way that seems absolutely surreal. No one had ever seen anything like it when the watch came out. Lange had imagined a stunning movement, built around a triple jumping disk system that carries the jumping hour mechanism. The synchronization is actually so smooth that one may believe that it is digitally controlled. But no, everything here is mechanical.
This type of layout pays homage to the Dresden Semper Opera house clock with its 5 minutes digital clock. The overall time display and movement architecture are resolutely contemporary, the latter featuring a constant force mechanism enabling an even flow of energy to power the jumping hour and minute discs.
The watch’s open caseback allows the wearer to view the in-house Lange Calibre L043.1 in action, a marvel to admire.
Presented in almost-unworn condition, this highly desirable example includes its original inner and outer boxes, leather folio, extra travelling case and guarantee papers.
Originally founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Dresden, Germany, the firm established an entire watchmaking culture and industry in Glashütte. The brand quickly became Germany's finest watchmaker, first creating dependable, easy-to-repair watches before going on to produce some of the world's finest complicated pocket watches, including Grande Sonnerie watches, tourbillon watches and Grande Complications.
On the final day of World War II, their factories were destroyed by Russian bombers, and in 1948 the brand was confiscated by the Soviet Union. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, Ferdinand's great grandson Walter Lange re-established the brand with the objective to once again produce top-quality luxury watches. Now part of the Richemont Group, its original vintage and modern creations are highly coveted by collectors. Key models from the modern era include the Lange 1, Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon and the Zeitwerk.