The date display – an unconventional interpretation
The ZEITWERK DATE constitutes the first mechanical digital watch by A. Lange & Söhne with a date function. Because of the extraordinary concept of the ZEITWERK, Lange’s engineers devised an unusual solution for this display: a large peripheral ring with the current date appearing in red. The ZEITWERK DATE comes in white and pink gold, both featuring a grey dial.
A distinctive face
The ZEITWERK DATE features a grey dial, endowed with an equally distinctive and elegant mechanical digital time indication. On the central axis of the dial, the numerals for the hours and minutes are arranged from left to right in two apertures, providing an unambiguous and intuitive reading.
The hour display can be advanced separately with the pusher at 4 o’clock. The switching impulse is generated when the pusher is released. To enable the correction independently of the switching cycles of the movement, a clutch uncouples the hour ring from the jumping numerals mechanism with every actuation of the pusher.
An innovative mechanical solution
An innovative date ring made of printed glass circles the dial of the ZEITWERK DATE: it depicts the numerals 1 to 31. A small colour segment on a ring beneath the date ring performs one step exactly at midnight. Hence, the current date appears in red. The date can be corrected with the pusher at 8 o’clock: the switching impulse is generated when it is released.
Powerful performance once a minute
Precisely every 60 seconds, the patented constant-force escapement provides the switching impulse for the jumping numeral discs: minute by minute – exactly 1,440 times a day. At the same time, it assures superb rate accuracy across the entire power-reserve duration: from the fully wound to the unwound state of the watch.
To simultaneously switch all three numeral discs and the date ring at lightning speed when the date changes, the mainspring barrel delivers a maximum torque of 28 newton-millimetres – a tremendous force for a mechanical wristwatch. In the blink of an eye, the three discs and the ring are accelerated and braked immediately. A fly governor absorbs the surplus energy, preventing a “hard landing” of the discs by producing a cushioning effect. This ensures the long-term functional integrity of the mechanism.
The ZEITWERK DATE
Movement L043.8
The heart of the ZEITWERK DATE, the manufacture calibre L043.8, beats at a frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2,5 hertz). The manually wound calibre with its twin barrel and two mainsprings afford a power reserve of 72 hours. The sapphire-crystal caseback of the 750 gold case with a diameter of 44.2 millimetres and a height of 12.3 millimetres allows fascinating insights into the exquisite artisanal finish of the 516-part movement.
Technical and aesthetic highlights include the ratchet wheel adorned with solarisation and engraved with the brand name, as well as the delicate constant-force escapement bridge ‒ both providing vivid accents in the harmonious composition of different materials and surface decorations.
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Models of the ZEITWERK family
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