A. Lange & Söhne's ZEITWERK DATE Gets A Pink Gold Glow-Up
4 min read
A. Lange & Söhne adds a new chapter to its boldest horological innovation with the introduction of the ZEITWERK DATE in 18k pink gold. For the first time, the brand combines the distinctive warm hue of pink gold with a grey dial in its groundbreaking mechanical digital timepiece a striking fusion of tradition, innovation, and aesthetics.
A Pioneering Legacy
When the ZEITWERK made its debut in 2009, it redefined what a mechanical watch could be. With its jumping numerals time display more commonly seen in quartz or digital devices powered entirely by an in-house movement, it challenged conventions and showcased A. Lange & Söhne’s technical audacity. This was not merely a design statement; it was a feat of precision engineering that immediately set the ZEITWERK apart.
A decade later, the ZEITWERK DATE extended the concept further. Unveiled in 2019, it introduced a peripheral date complication that is as innovative as it is intuitive. Encircling the dial is a glass ring printed with the numerals 1 to 31. Beneath this sits a rotating disc with a red segment that moves one step forward each day at midnight—highlighting the current date. As the month progresses, the red marker makes a complete orbit of the dial. Not only is it functional, but it offers a poetic visualisation of time's passage. Date correction is handled via a pusher at 8 o’clock, with the switching impulse triggered on release—an elegant and mechanically satisfying touch.
Now in a Warm, Sophisticated Palette
Six years after the white gold version, the ZEITWERK DATE now arrives in a pink gold case, paired with the same sleek grey dial. The visual impact is immediate: the grey dial brings out the brilliance of the digital display, while the pink gold adds a soft richness that elevates the overall look. The familiar configuration remains unchanged—the time display is spread across a horizontal axis, with the hours on the left and minutes on the right, ensuring immediate, legible reading.
Behind this display is a patented jumping numerals mechanism that performs with incredible precision. Every 60 seconds, the minute disc jumps. Every hour, the hour disc follows—resulting in 1,440 instantaneous switches in a single day. The action is so seamless and exacting that it feels almost electronic—until you remember that it’s entirely mechanical.
Functionality remains central to the ZEITWERK’s design. A dedicated pusher at 4 o’clock allows the hour display to be advanced independently. This is especially useful when changing time zones or adjusting manually. To ensure smooth operation, a sophisticated clutch system disengages the hour ring from the rest of the jumping mechanism with each press—again, the switch is activated on release, aligning with the brand’s commitment to mechanical integrity and precision.
A Bridge Between Aesthetics and Mechanics
One of the ZEITWERK’s most recognisable design features is the time bridge. Crafted from untreated German silver, it is not just a design flourish—it’s a functional component of the movement itself. This bridge frames the hour and minute apertures and the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, creating a strong architectural statement while drawing the eye into the core of the movement. It also visually connects the dial to the watch’s inner mechanics, reflecting Lange’s philosophy of making the invisible visible.
Driving this complex functionality is the manually wound calibre L043.8, developed and manufactured entirely in-house. It beats at a steady 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz) and is equipped with a twin mainspring barrel system, offering a robust 72-hour power reserve. To control the considerable energy required to operate the jumping numerals and date mechanism, A. Lange & Söhne uses a patented constant-force escapement. Positioned between the barrels and the balance wheel, it ensures a consistent flow of energy—not only enabling precise jumping but also enhancing rate stability across the entire power reserve. A fly governor regulates each jump, absorbing excess energy and preventing mechanical stress on the system.
As Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development, explains, “Precisely at midnight, it puts on an exceptional show. Because then, all three jumping numeral discs and the date ring switch simultaneously. At that moment, a force and precision are at work that you imagine can be felt through the case.”
The ZEITWERK DATE in pink gold measures 44.2 mm in diameter with a height of 12.3 mm substantial yet elegant on the wrist. Through the sapphire crystal caseback, the movement reveals its complexity in full. The 516-part calibre is finished to the highest Saxon standards: hand-engraved balance cock, solarisation on the ratchet wheel, polished chamfers, and a constant-force escapement bridge that adds depth and detail to the view. The composition of different materials German silver, polished gold chatons, blued screws creates a harmonious visual language that reinforces the watch’s dual identity as both technical marvel and artisanal object.
A Modern Classic
With this new release, A. Lange & Söhne continues to push the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking. The ZEITWERK DATE in pink gold isn’t just a variation in colour it’s a refinement of one of the most forward-thinking horological concepts of the 21st century. Combining cutting-edge engineering with an unmistakable visual identity, it gives traditional craftsmanship a contemporary, dynamic expression. For collectors and aficionados who appreciate the fusion of tradition, precision, and daring innovation, the ZEITWERK DATE in pink gold is not just a timepiece it’s a statement.
Price:
EUR 130,000 (Approx)
