A. Lange & Söhne ZEITWERK Honeygold "Lumen". A world premiere presented by CEO Wilhelm Schmid.

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It was in 2009 when A. Lange & Söhne presented the first revolutionary technology and design concept of the "Zeitwerk" model. This new version, limited to 200 pieces and sold for 114.000 Euro including 19 % VAT in Germany, introduces Lange’s proprietary honey gold. The latter was developed exclusively for A. Lange & Söhne timepieces. The designation “Lumen” refers to the specially developed, semi-transparent dial that makes the luminous jumping numerals display fully visible.

New Zeitwerk
With its three-disc jumping numerals mechanism that indicates the time in a digital format, the "Zeitwerk" ranks among the most progressive mechanical wristwatches. In the interest of superb legibility at all times, A. Lange & Söhne questioned everything except the mechanical paradigm. In addition to two discs for the tens and units-minutes, the jumping numerals mechanism is endowed with a large hour ring that spans almost the entire diameter of the movement. All numerals are identical in size. They switch precisely and read from left to right. The pusher at 4 o’clock is new. It allows the hour indication to be switched separately, which in turn makes it simpler to set the time. The switching impulse is generated when it is released. The advantage is that switching is always uniformly executed, regardless of how gently or vigorously the pusher is actuated. The pioneering technical concept is paired with an equally innovative design. One of its most prominent elements is the curved time bridge that dominates the dial. It is part of the movement and forms an elegant frame for all time indications. In the "Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen", it consists of black rhodiumed German silver and thus integrates well with the dark sapphire-crystal dial.

New A. Lange & Söhne Calibre L043.9
Refined from the bottom up, the "Zeitwerk" calibre L043.9 has twice the power reserve of its predecessor model – 72 hours. With a gentle click, the new manufacture calibre L043.9 instantly switches the numerals display of the "Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen" from one minute to the next until, at the top of the hour, the sophisticated mechanism simultaneously switches all three numerals discs by one increment. In the second generation as well, a patented constant-force escapement controls the complex switching processes and at the same time handles two important functions: on the one hand, it generates the impulse for the jumping advance of the time display. On the other hand, it drives the balance with nearly uniform power across the entire run time. This keeps the amplitude constant, which has a positive effect on rate stability.
The integration of a pusher for correcting the hour indication, first introduced in the "Zeitwerk Date", required considerable effort from the designers and increased the number of movement parts to 462. To enable the correction independently of the switching cycles of the time display, a clutch uncouples the hour ring from the jumping numerals mechanism each time the pusher is pressed. The setting of the minute display in both directions is performed with the crown located at 2 o’clock. The cam-poised balance wheel with a freely oscillating balance spring beats with a frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (= 2.5 Hz). Further Lange-style quality features of the "Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen" include the exquisite artisanal finissage of the twofold-assembled movement, much of which can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback. Easily recognizable assets are the hand-engraved balance and escape-wheel cocks, the solarised winding wheels and the filigreed, straight-grained constant-force escapement bridge that accommodates two recessed, screwed gold chatons.

Luminous numerals
The light-permeable coating of the dial allows the luminous numerals that are not exposed in the aperture to absorb enough UV light and thus light energy needed to make them glow in the dark. Consequently, the digital display remains visible even right after each switching sequence. At night, the numerals discs that are only vaguely discernible during the day cause the watch to glow.

A. Lange & Söhne Honeygold
Limited to 200 watches, the "Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen" continues the tradition that began eleven years ago and transcends it. The case, with a diameter of 41.9 and a height of 12.6 millimetres, is made of Lange’s proprietary honey gold – a first for a “Lumen” model. Various admixtures and a special thermal treatment endow the 18-carat gold alloy with extra hardness and an inimitably warm lustre. The hands of the power-reserve indicator and of the subsidiary seconds as well as the Lange prong buckle are made of the same material. Combined with a dark dial and a dark-brown leather strap, the hue is an eye-catcher.