Glow of delight

Zeitwerk Honeygold "Lumen"

THE Zeitwerk is already very special. To encase it in Lange's exclusive Honeygold, and affix the watch with a dial dipped in a patented semi-transparent coating, make the new Zeitwerk Honeygold "Lumen" even more exceptional.

A Lange & Sohne went against conventions but had great expectations when it first worked on the Zeitwerk model. The watch that rolled out of the factory in 2019 was nothing like what the brand ever produced in its near-165 years' history - a timepiece with the usual round dial, but an unusual digital display and time bridge across it.

It was in fact nothing like the two or three-hand mechanical watches of the day. And it was going to be the new face of Lange!

For most of the time since the brand was relaunched in 1990, it was the Lange 1, with its unusual asymmetric dial design, that was identified with Lange.

The Zeitwerk lost no time in winning fans. It took the top prize of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve, which is the watch industry's equivalent to Hollywood's Academy Awards, in the very year it was unveiled.

It wasn't just its pretty or unusual face that made the Zeitwerk popular. Built with a three-disc jumping numerals mechanism that indicates time in a digital format, the timepiece was also one of the most progressive mechanical wristwatches made.

The Zeitwerk family today has grown to 8 different models - including the latest addition - that glow, indicate the time with sound and show the date as well.

Soon after winning the GPHG award, Lange's watchmakers wondered how the mechanisms of the Zeitwerk could be seen even in darkness. This led to the creation of the Zeitwerk "Luminous", which was introduced in 2010.

The watch gave birth to the rare "Lumen" collection. "Lumen" timepieces feature a dial that comes alive with a special glow in the dark, thanks to a patented semi-transparent coating. With the Zeitwerk Honeygold "Lumen" added this year, there are now 5 models in the collection.

In 2017, the Zeitwerk was also bestowed the "Honeygold" status when the brand launched the Zeitwerk Decimal Strike Honeygold, a watch with an acoustic time indication. Only very special Lange timepieces are encased in this proprietary gold which has a colour lying between pink and white gold - and it's harder than any gold alloy.

A Honeygold or a "Lumen" model is rare in Lange's world - and only very exceptional watches of the brand have made it to the 2 collections.

So far, the Zeitwerk is the only Lange model that has a presence in both the Honeygold and "Lumen" series - but in different versions of Zeitwerk. This alone sets the Zeitwerk apart from the rest of the brand's watches. The Zeitwerk Honeygold "Lumen", unveiled last weekend (Oct 24), is even more remarkable. It's the only Zeitwerk variant that appears in the 2 collections.

Available in a limited edition of 200 pieces - and only in Lange boutiques - the 41.9 millimetres wide Zeitwerk Honeygold "Lumen" features jumping numerals and is powered by a movement with power reserve of 72 hours, double that of previous Zeitwerk models. And it comes in a dark brown hand-stitched alligator leather.

Price: S$175,000