Introducing A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike

A. Lange & Söhne just reveled a new model in the emblematic Zeitwerk collection for the SIHH 2017, and not just a new execution of an existing watch, but a new type of complication. This watch joins 3 other members in the family: the Zeitwerk, the Zetiwerk Striking Time and the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater (the latter two being chiming watches). For this new kid in the collection, A. Lange & Söhne introduces a new type of striking mechanism, the Decimal Strike, which gives echo to the unique display of this watch. Please meet the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike.

With this watch, A. Lange & Söhne introduces a third striking mechanism in the collection. Indeed, it already comprises the Zetiwerk Striking Time – with a strike of the hours and the quarters – and the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater – with its rather unique decimal minute repeater system. The third one, the new A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike, takes a bit of both concepts to merge them in a single watch, with a strike of the tenths. Indeed, from the Zeitwerk Striking Time, it takes the concept of the strike “au passage” (not on demand like in a minute repeater). From the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, it takes the concept of the strike of tenths. So what you have with the Zeitwerk Decimal Strike is a watch that features an acoustic time indication and that relies on two differently tuned gongs to indicate the full hours as well as the ten-minute intervals.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike

Just like in the Zeitwerk Striking Time, the chime of the full hours and of the intervals are dissociated. The hammer on the left strikes the low-pitched gong once every full hour. The right-hand hammer sounds a higher-pitched tone every ten minutes, or in other words, every time a new ten-minute interval begins. Of course, this striking complication can be switched off by pressing the pusher at 4. The two hammers that are visible on the dial side consist of polished steel and, like the hammer bridge, are decorated with a tremblage engraving.

A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike

For the rest, this Zeitwerk Decimal Strike relies on the emblematic Zetiwerk concept, with a large gold bridge on top of the dial enclosing two windows: one for the hours, with a single jumping disc and one for the minutes, with two jumping discs, one for the tenth and one for the units (and this specific display explains why the Decimal Striking mechanism makes sense). The watch relies also on the same base movement as the standard Zeitwerk and the Zeitwerk striking time, meaning a complex calibre with a patented constant-force escapement between the mainspring barrel and the balance delivers the power, which stores enegery for one minute and delivers it for each jump of the discs.

Zeitwerk Decimal Strike

The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Decimal Strike has the same 44.2mm case as the Striking Time. Still, Lange uses here its proprietary 18k honey gold alloy – a soft and light gold tone – paired with a brown leather strap.

Zeitwerk Decimal StrikeZeitwerk Decimal StrikeZeitwerk Decimal Strike dial