Signaling the time in ten-minute intervals is what the new A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike is all about. This new Lange joins the three other Zeitwerks in an 18K honey gold —A. Lange & Söhne exclusive gold alloy— 100-piece limited edition. With its striking mechanism sounding every ten minutes. First launched in 2009, the Zeitwerk is the most modern and unconventional way of telling time from the A. Lange & Söhne lineup. The third model featuring an acoustic time indication —the Striking Time and the Minute Repeater are the other two— is fitted with a 44.2 mm case and with a solid silver dial with mechanical digital time indication, power reserve and oversized running seconds.
The Dial
Fitted with a solid silver dial and its signature innovative 'Time Bridge' —that penetrates the dial and is part of the movement— displaying the hours and minutes, the new A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike ref. 143.050 in honey gold features a power reserve up/down indicator at 12 o'clock and subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
The two hammers that are visible on the dial side consist of polished steel and just like their hammer bridge, they are decorated with a tremblage engraving that is simply superb. While the hammer on the left strikes the low-pitched gong once every full hour, the hammer oj the right sounds a higher-pitched tone every ten minutes —every time a new ten-minute interval begins.
With its large, precisely jumping numerals display, the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike in honey gold offers unparalleled readability of the time. In one-minute intervals, the units disc instantly advances by exactly one increment as a patented constant-force escapement between the mainspring barrel and the balance delivers the power. As the high-pitched tone sounds every time the tens disc advances; at the start of the hour, when the low-pitched tone is struck, all three numeral discs jump synchronously by one increment.
For those concerned about the striking mechanism going off during a meeting or in a place where silence is necessary, the mechanism can be switched off by pressing the pusher located at 4 o’clock. Once pressed, the hammers are deflected away from the gongs —something that also takes place when the crown is pulled to set the time.
The Movement
The beating heart powering the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike is the Lange in-house manual wound movement calibre L043.7 composed of 528 and 78 —113 parts and 10 jewels more than those on the movement in the Zeitwerk— and which provides a power reserve of 36 hours while beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph. The jumping numerals mechanism always delivers a precise reading of the time consisting of a large hour ring that occupies the entire diameter of the movement and of two minute discs, one for the tens and one for the units. All numerals are identical in size and arranged for natural left-to-right reading.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike ref. 140.035 in honey gold wears true to its size and with the same wrist presence that characterizes all the other Zeitwerk models. One of our favorite watches from Lange this year at the SIHH and one that we are confident will sell out fairly quickly. Available in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Sticker Price €120,000 Euros — approximately $130,000 USD. For more info on A. Lange & Söhne click here.
