Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/03/02/a-lange-sohne-zeitwerk-luminous-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/
—————————————————————————————————–
Solarization highlights the crown wheel, offset ratchet wheel, and barrel cover. The spiraled effect serves a symbolic value and distinguishes these elements as front-end power source hardware. Upon close examination, both winding wheels feature an exquisite detail: beveled teeth. Although mostly aesthetic, the result is impressive to behold, rarely applied even at the highest level of watchmaking, and rewarding to observant owners.
Hand engraved cock of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Luminous
The cocks for the balance and escape wheel feature Lange’s signature finishing flourish, freehand engraving with a burin tool. Due to the truly artisanal nature of this process, no two examples ever will be identical. These scrolls and volutes are inseparable from Lange’s products and have proved to be influential in modern German watchmaking circles. Companies as varied as Nomos and Lang & Heyne have borrowed this trope.
Screws come in two forms: fired blue and black polished. Black polishing likely is achieved with a zinc plate while the blued screws are fired in a heater. The different colors seem to correspond to different purposes. Blue screws appear to fix stationary components in place; polished examples seem to be associated with adjustment, alignment, or tensioning.
Caseband of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Luminous
If any element of the Zeitwerk falls short, it’s the exterior. While caseback and dial are torrid centers of action, the 41.9mm white gold case feels somewhat portly and generic. Since virtually all Lange watches use some version of this case, it fails to match the revolutionary fervor that radiates off every other part of the Zeitwerk Luminous.
Further, the use of a pin buckle seems irreconcilable with the price, weight, and billing of this watch, which cost the equivalent of nearly $130,000 2023 dollars when it launched in 2010. Many collectors new to the Lange brand express surprise that even flagship models often require an upcharge for a folding clasp. But as gripe lists go, this is a short one.
A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Luminous
Every A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk variant rocks. It’s a heavy metal machine that marches to a different drum solo than the rest of its Saxon stablemates. Customers as disparate as retro grouches and software moguls have been drawn to the model line for its sheer dynamism. If Iron Maiden can make its peace with Lange’s heavy metal Phantom of the (Dresden) Opera, Eddie would rock one in a split second.
For more information, please visit www.alange-soehne.com/us-en/timepieces/zeitwerk/zeitwerk
Quick Facts: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Luminous
Reference Number: 140.035
Edition Number: 100 pieces, 2010 model year
Case: Platinum; 41.9mm x 13.1mm thick x 49.7mm; 30-meter water resistance
Dial: Smoked black sapphire with German silver “time bridge” center; luminescent time discs
Movement: L043.3, manual, 36-hour power reserve, hacking, 2.5Hz, overcoil, remontoir, variable inertia balance, stopworks, 33.6mm diameter
Functions: Digital hours, tens of minutes, and minutes; power reserve indicator
2024 Market Value: Approximately $290,000
* Tim Mosso is the media director and watch specialist at Watchbox. You can check out his very comprehensive YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@WatchBoxStudios/videos.
You might also enjoy:
A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Reviewed by Tim Mosso
Behind the Lens: Two 1815 Chronographs from A. Lange & Söhne
Why I Bought It: A. Lange & Söhne Pour Le Mérite Tourbillon
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon: A Machine with Heart and Soul
Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/03/02/a-lange-sohne-zeitwerk-luminous-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/
