A. Lange & Söhne wraps the Zeitwerk Date in rose gold
Russell Sheldrake- Lange expands the Zeitwerk range with a new date model in rose gold, a material the German brand uses curiously infrequently.
- This impressive mechanical digital watch sports a grey dial, carried over from the white gold model that launched the collection.
- The rose gold pairs particularly well with the German silver details of its complex L043.8 calibre.
The Zeitwerk family is A. Lange & Söhne’s most visually arresting in its entire catalogue (in my opinion, at least). So when the renowned German watchmaker brings out a new one, it’s going to catch my eye. This time, they have decided to dress the Zeitwerk Date in grey and rose gold, a sultry combination that works on many subtle levels.
For those of you are are not yet familiar, the Zeitwerk was introduced by A. Lange & Söhne in 2009, and it caused a bit of a stir as it displayed in large both the hours and minutes in a digital format, with both jumping. Of course, the industry had seen jumping hours pieces before, and maybe the odd wandering minutes, but to have both of these jumping left many aghast. It’s a technical feat that requires silly amounts of energy, and Lange was able to pull it off in its classic, Germanic style. It went through various stages of development over time, and 10 years after its first launch, the date complication was added on, giving birth to this model, the Zeitwerk Date.
This newest model utilises a metal that Lange rarely reaches for, and that’s rose gold. We’ve seen them drip their watches in their delicious proprietary Honeygold alloy, not to mention plenty of platinum and sometimes even steel, but to see them go for rose gold (or pink gold, more accurately) on this impactful model is exciting to see. The soft tones of this rose gold case are paired with an equally soft grey dial that has actually been carried over from the white gold model that launched the collection. Around the outside of the dial remains the same date indication, printed on glass with a rotating red disc sitting under the indicated date, meaning that the date function doesn’t distract from the two oversized, digital displays.
Inside this watch still beats the mysteriously complex L043.8 calibre that was designed, developed and built from the ground up at A. Lange & Söhne’s manufacture in Glashütte. To keep the minute discs jumping instantaneously, this movement contains a patented constant force escapement allowing a steady flow of power to be converted into one solid jump every 60 seconds without a massive loss of power reserve. Considering this watch has three jumping elements to it, with the hours, minutes and date… That is a lot to ask of such a mechanism.
Nothing else about this watch has changed. It still measures 44.2mm across and 12.3mm thick; the manually-wound calibre L043.8 holds 72 hours of power reserve and boasts a hand-engraved balance cock; and the dial features a running seconds hand at 6 and a power reserve indicator at 12. The hours and date can be advanced by using the two pushers on the lower half of the case, while the crown gets pushed to the top right.
A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date Rose Gold pricing and availability
The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date in rose gold is available now from all of the brand’s points of sale. Price: €130,000
| Brand | A. Lange & Söhne |
| Model | Zeitwerk Date |
| Reference Number | 148.033 |
| Case Dimensions | 44.2mm (D) x 12.3mm (T) |
| Case Material | 750 pink (rose) gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Grey 925 silver |
| Strap | Hand-stitched dark brown alligator leather, 750 pink gold buckle |
| Movement | Calibre L043.8, in-house, manually wound |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Digital jumping hours and minutes, small seconds, jumping ring-date display, power reserve indicator |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | €130,000 |