This is the new version of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date. It will make collectors' hearts skip a beat.

In the world of haute horlogerie, there are watches that inspire admiration at first sight. And those that change the rules of the game forever. The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk belongs to… both of these categories. It's a model that combines avant-garde design with the highest caliber of German watchmaking. Since its debut in 2009, the Zeitwerk line has continually evolved, offering new versions and complications. Here's the latest iteration – the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date in rose gold.

When A. Lange & Söhne , a German manufacturer based in Glashütte, introduced the Zeitwerk to the world in 2009, the watchmaking industry held its breath. It was the first mechanical watch to display the hours and minutes as large, jumping numerals rather than traditional hands. Although the concept of jumping time displays dates back to the 19th century and was first patented by Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber, A. Lange & Söhne was the first manufacturer to implement it in such an advanced form in a fully mechanical wristwatch.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk ref. 140.029 white gold version, in addition the company also presented ref. 140.021 (yellow gold), ref. 140.032 (rose gold) and 140.025 (platinum) / press materials

However, beneath this apparent simplicity lies true watchmaking engineering. Each digit advance requires a tremendous amount of energy, so A. Lange & Söhne engineers implemented constant-force escapement, a mechanism that stores and releases energy evenly. This solution ensures the digits advance in perfect synchronization – always on the minute, without delay or jolt.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk ref. 140.029 / press materials

The mechanism also addresses the weaknesses of earlier attempts at digital timekeeping in mechanical watches. The readings are read from left to right, as in a classic digital watch. Smooth and durable operation is ensured by a rotary governor that absorbs excess energy after each flip of the dial. This special fly governor operates on the centrifugal principle – the faster it rotates, the greater the resistance it creates, allowing for controlled energy dissipation and preventing damage to the mechanism.

The dial features a distinctive German silver time bridge , with sapphire bearings. Minutes are indicated by two discs: one with the numerals 0 to 9, the other with the numerals 0 to 5. Both share the same axis, ensuring perfect legibility. The hours are indicated by a large ring with the numerals 1 to 12.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk ref. 140.029 / press materials

Every minute, the constant-force escapement delivers energy in the form of a precise pulse, which activates the disc-jump mechanism. Every ten minutes, the disc of units "pushes" the disc of tens, and on the hour, the disc of tens sets the hour ring in motion. Each step is secured with special locking elements to prevent accidental adjustments.

The time setting system is equally innovative – when the crown is pulled out, the entire dial system is locked, but a special mechanism allows for precise, full-minute adjustments. This ensures the time display remains consistent and always perfectly synchronized. It's also worth noting that the mechanism invented by A. Lange & Söhne and used in the Zeitwerk model is one of the most complex in the history of watchmaking.

Since its debut, the Zeitwerk has seen many interpretations – from the futuristic Luminous version, through unique Handwerkskunst editions, to advanced models with complications like the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater and Zeitwerk Date . The latter has just been reimagined in rose gold.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date - a timepiece with a special calendar

In 2019, the Zeitwerk Date ref. 148.038 debuted. The A. Lange & Söhne manufacture introduced the dates in the form of a glass ring surrounding a dial with 31 windows.

Beneath it is a rotating disc with a red segment that advances one space at exactly midnight. This illuminates the current date in red. The effect is exceptionally legible and consistent with the Zeitwerk's architecture – the dial's symmetry remains intact, while creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing calendar.

Moreover, the date can be easily corrected using a pusher at the 8 o'clock position. When released, the movement immediately jumps forward, advancing the red marker by one day. Additionally, the Zeitwerk Date model features a second pusher at the 4 o'clock position for correcting the time display—a feature especially useful when changing time zones.

A. Lange & Söhne presents the iconic Zeitwerk Date in rose gold

The new rose gold version of the Zeitwerk Date (ref. 148.033), unveiled this summer, demonstrates how a subtle change in material can transform the character of an entire watch. The warm hue of 18-karat rose gold, paired with an elegant gray dial, lends the watch a uniquely refined yet modern look.

The Zeitwerk Date in rose gold retains all the essential technical features of the white gold version, including the same modern movement – ​​the in-house calibre L043.8.

This movement operates at a frequency of 18,000 half-vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz). It is a hand-wound caliber equipped with double mainspring barrels that provide a 72-hour power reserve. This is twice as long as the first Zeitwerk model from 2009, which boasted a 36-hour power reserve thanks to a single mainspring barrel.

Despite the increased power reserve, the movement's design is slimmer than the original model – the case length remains 44.2 mm and the thickness is just 12.3 mm, allowing the watch to maintain a slim, proportionate silhouette.

The dial is gray silver, surrounded by a glass ring printed with numbers from 1 to 31. Below it, a rotating disc with a red section that jumps one window precisely at midnight, revealing the date in red. This visual effect is consistent with the digital hour and minute display.

The L043.8 movement also incorporates a patented constant-force escapement system , which delivers a regular energy pulse every minute, enabling all three discs and the date ring to fly instantly with exceptional tension and remarkable smoothness, even under the high torque required to change all the displays simultaneously. Excess energy is absorbed by a special fly governor, preventing hard jumps and ensuring long-term reliability.

The entire movement consists of 516 parts, which highlights the high level of decoration and precision of workmanship – especially visible through the sapphire case back, which reveals, among other things, the sun-brushed ratchet wheel and the constant-force escapement bridge, which are aesthetic accents of the entire composition.

A. Lange & Söhne does not publicly disclose the price of the Zeitwerk Date ref. 148.033 – it can be found out by contacting boutiques directly, which the brand encourages on its website.