The ZEITWERK Time Mechanical Minute Repeater is Lange's only mechanical watch that combines a jump display and a decimal minute repeater. Just press the button and the watch will announce the hour, ten minutes and minute with a ring. Today, Lange & Söhne offers a special edition limited to 30 pieces – made exclusively from Lange & Söhne & Söhne in 18K honey gold, with a grey dial and a unique chime.
The new ZEITWERK Time Mechanical Minute Repeater 18K honey gold version
In 2015, Lange & Söhne launched the ZEITWERK Time Mechanic Minute Repeater Platinum 950, a fresh interpretation of this classic complication. This extremely sophisticated watch is capable of chiming the time as directed. Unlike traditional devices that chime every hour and every fifteen minutes, their three-minute repeater tells the time every ten minutes. This special time telling mechanism is in perfect harmony with the watch's mechanical numeral display. By simply pressing the button at 10 o'clock, the number of bass sounds from the watch represents the hour, while the two-tone (treble/bass) and treble represent every ten minutes and minutes respectively. For example, a striking sound at 7:52 consists of seven bass, five two-tones, and two trebles. What is heard is what is seen, and what is seen is what is heard.
Perfect sound quality
The new ZEITWERK Time Mechanical Minute Repeater 18K honey gold is capable of making a distinctive ringing sound. Its unique sound quality and acoustic characteristics are achieved by the resonant effect achieved by the 18K honey gold case, which gives it a clear, bright sound and reverberation, with a thick and warm sound.
Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at Lange & Söhne and an enthusiastic drummer, said: "Every minute repeater has its own unique sound. In addition to the spring and hammer, the case material has the greatest influence on sound quality. This principle is similar to musical instruments, where different materials bring different timbre and sound quality. Lange & Söhne's new 18K honey gold is exactly that. It makes a sound unlike any other material. ”
Tino Bobe, Production Director of Lange & Söhne, said: "In order to achieve this unique sound, all parameters need to be harmoniously matched. Hand-tuned tuned springs deliver a pure, melodious sound that complements Lange's unique honey-gold acoustics. In addition, all components are carefully tuned by master Lange watchmakers. This process requires multiple disassembly, reassembly and final testing. As a result, perfecting sound quality takes up most of the entire watchmaking process. Such an extraordinary timepiece would not have been possible without the watchmaker's keen sense of hearing and dexterity.
The master watchmaker uses his experience and skill to polish the sound springs, which are also polished in black planes. All the components are cleverly integrated into the dial design and are visible and striking when the minute repeater is activated: the ZEITWERK Time Mechanical Minute Repeater 18K honey gold is a feast for sound and sight.
Simple and reliable
In developing the complex mechanisms of this watch, the Lange watchmakers have always been passionate about watchmaking and creating extraordinary products. The ZEITWERK Time Mechanical Minute Repeater has a unique button to activate the time signal. Since the power of the ringer is provided by a double barrel, there is no need to tighten the individual clockwork with the slider common to minute repeaters.
To ensure smooth interaction between complex mechanical components, the movement incorporates sophisticated safety and stop-off devices. In addition, in order to avoid premature interruption of the minute repeater due to the watch stopping operation, the ringing device will not be activated if the power reserve is less than twelve hours. On the power reserve indicator, 12 hours are marked with a red dot.
While the minute repeater is running, the switching process of the digital disc will be delayed. During this period, the crown cannot be pulled out. This preset prevents any interference from the chiming sampling sequence and ensures that the time signal always matches the time displayed digitally. Of all the moments, the chime time is the longest at 12:59, and the entire three-minute repeater sequence takes about 20 seconds to complete. If the minute is entered when the minute repeater rings, the minute dial will jump instantly after the sound sequence ends (the same is true for the hour dial). After that, the next dial switching cycle will follow its normal pattern after the second hand has passed the 60-second scale.
Manufactured movements with a constant-power escapement
Like all models in the ZEITWERK Time Machinery collection, the L043.5 calibre is equipped with a constant-power escapement and is located between the barrel and the balance. The system operates like a pacemaker, allowing the disc to advance instantly every minute. The device also ensures that the balance wheel is driven by constant energy and maintains a stable rate throughout the power reserve, regardless of the state of the watch winding device. The movement consists of 771 parts, all of which have been carefully finished by hand. Balance splints and escapement splints are hand-carved with delicate patterns.
Details of the L043.5 manufactured movement
Elegant appearance
Following the introduction of the Platinum 950 with a silver-grey dial in 2015 and the 18K White Gold with a dark blue dial in 2020, a limited edition of 30 pieces, Lange & Söhne & Söhne now presents the ZEITWERK Time Mechanical Minute Repeater 18K Honey Gold version. All models are equipped with a case with a diameter of 44.2 mm. The new watch features a dark brown hand-stitched leather strap for added elegance and sophistication. This 18K honey gold watch is limited to 30 pieces and is only available exclusively in selected boutiques.
About Lange
When Dresden watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange founded his own watchmaking factory in 1845, he also laid the foundation stone for Saxony's watchmaking industry. His accurate pocket watches are still sought after by collectors around the world. After World War II, Lange's century-old foundation was nationalized by the East German regime. The founder's great-grandson, Walter Lange, seized the opportunity and began the Lange revival in 1990. Today, Lange & Söhne produces only a few thousand watches representing high quality each year, mainly in gold or platinum 950. All are equipped with exclusive movements that have been carefully finished by hand and reassembled. Since 1990, Lange & Söhne has developed 71 in-house movements and has been a world leader in watchmaking. The brand's signature models, such as the regularly produced LANGE 1 with the first large date display and the ZEITWERK time-mechanical watch with precise jumping mechanism, are Lange & Söhne's signature models. Extraordinary and complex models such as the ZEITWERK Time Machinery Minute Repeater, the TRIPLE SPLIT Triple Split, and the GRAND COMPLICATION Grand Complex Watch, which was launched in 2013 and is the most complex to date, limited to six pieces, fully demonstrate Lange's determination to continue the past and reach new heights in watchmaking technology. The dynamic and elegant ODYSSEUS watch was launched in 2019, marking the beginning of a new era for Lange.