The Zeitwerk – A Milestone Marking the Second Rebirth of A. Lange & Söhne If 1994 was the year A. Lange & Söhne was reborn, then 2009 represents a new turning point — widely regarded as the brand’s second renaissance. When the Zeitwerk collection debuted, it sparked intense debate among collectors, journalists, and watch critics around the world. Many argued that its design diverged too sharply from Lange’s traditional, classical aesthetics, and that it followed no established trend in the watchmaking world. But time proved everything. The Zeitwerk soon earned its place on the list of Lange’s iconic creations — joining the Lange 1 and the Datograph — forming a legendary trio with exceptional brand recognition among the world’s most discerning collectors. In 2009, the Zeitwerk brought home the prestigious “Oscars of watchmaking” at the GPHG. This achievement stands as clear evidence of Lange’s success in blending 150 years of traditional watchmaking heritage with modern, boundary-pushing creativity. A Radical Design Rooted in 19th-Century Innovation The Zeitwerk leaves a powerful impression with its digital jumping hour and minute display. This jump-hour/minute concept dates back to the 19th century, invented by Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber. After receiving his patent, he supplied the display mechanism to IWC and several other brands. However, those brands arranged the hour-and-minute apertures vertically—while Pallweber’s original drawings positioned them horizontally. It sounds simple, but technically it was extremely complex. Achieving a horizontal layout required a carefully engineered, highly logical arrangement of components. For decades, the industry simply couldn’t execute it reliably. It wasn’t until 120 years later—since Pallweber submitted his sketches in the 1880s—that A. Lange & Söhne finally realized this horizontal jumping display in the Zeitwerk with outstanding precision and reliability. The Mastermind Behind the Icon The man behind this masterpiece is Mr. Schneider, who dedicated more than 10 years to A. Lange & Söhne (he is now the Head of Product at Lang & Heyne). In 2009, the first generation of the Zeitwerk debuted with four references: - 140.029 – White gold case, black dial - 140.032 – Rose gold case, silver dial - 140.021 – Yellow gold case, silver dial - 140.025 – Platinum case, silver dial All models share a 41.9mm case diameter and a modest thickness of just 12.6mm. The construction and finishing of the case carry Lange’s unmistakable DNA: meticulous, luxurious, powerful, and robust. The case features three main components: A polished bezel A polished caseback And a brushed mid-case that integrates with the lugs, creating sharp visual contrast and depth. A Dial Full of Symbolism and Historic References The Zeitwerk’s dial incorporates two major design motifs: A face-like, symmetrical layout of the jumping apertures A horizontal hour-minute display inspired by the iconic Five-Minute Clock at the Semper Opera House in Dresden — designed by F. A. Lange and his mentor Gutkaes in 1841. The dial is divided into clear horizontal and vertical axes: Horizontal axis: jumping hour and minute windows Vertical axis: small seconds and the power-reserve indicator The bridge linking the apertures is crafted from rhodium-plated German silver, shaped like outstretched wings wrapping around the hour, minute, and seconds displays — an incredibly refined and cohesive design gesture. A Movement That Rivals the Datograph Inside beats the hand-wound Calibre L043.1, featuring finishing on par with the Datograph — one of the highest compliments possible in haute horlogerie. This is, without question, one of the most worthy pieces to include in the collection of any serious and seasoned watch connoisseur.