A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst

A. Lange & Söhne have a new limited edition Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst for 2012 with a hand engraved white gold dial.

When it was first released three years ago, the industry embraced the Zeitwerk, it was unique, it was unusual.  Face-on it contradicted Haute Horlogerie with its substantial digital time display, but inside it co-operated fully, becaused it was powered purely by in-house mechanics of the highest possible standard and accuracy.

This edition will be reassuringly limited to just 30 pieces available for purchase only at the brand's boutiques, and it is really rather special indeed.  The 42mm case is made from platinum and the dial is created from white gold which has been hand finished with tremblage engraving which results in a grainy texture and is the perfect contrast for the simplicity of the German silver bridge which frames the indications.

The brand was founded in 1868 by Richard Lange, son of Ferdinand Adolph Lange who had originally founded A. Lange & Cie (est 1845) and although it was a relatively small manufacture, although it was located in Glashütte, not Switzerland it gained acclaim normally reserved for its more illustrious Swiss contemporaries.  At the heart of its success was meticulous attention to detail and loupe-worthy handcrafting of the utmost standards.

When Walter Lange re-registered the A. Lange & Söhne brandname in 1989,  following the reunification of Germany fifty years of non-production had passed - he wasted no time, in 1994 he presented to the industry the new models including the Lange 1 and the Saxony.  The new pieces found an appreciative audience because despite the years lost to the war and the following Soviet control of East Germany, Walter Lange created his new timepieces using the principles of the original founders - meticulous attention to detail and loupe-worthy handcrafting.....

More information about A. Lange & Söhne can be found at the brand's official website

And perhaps while you're here you would like to peruse our extensive A. Lange & Söhne archives here.