A 78.000$ digital watch: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk | Jenni Elle

Here's why the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk costs 78.000$!

Two worlds which could not be more different. On the one side we have digital watches. Made for everyday use, to handle everything being thrown at it. Starting at prices even lower than 10€ they tell the time accurately up to the millisecond.

On the other side we have mechanical watches, where telling the time is merely the beginning of it. It's about emotions, stories, it's about perfection and the love for the tiniest details.

When these worlds collide and merge; when the concept of utility meets the highest form of watch making, its time to introduce the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk. It is a digital watch. A digital watch that does not need a battery because it is entirely mechanic. But does the Zeitwerk really live up to its promise? Or is it more of a compromise than innovation? And: How can a digital watch even be mechanical in the first place?

Constructing digital mechanical watches has been done before, but never has it been this reliable, never with the same dial arrangement from left to right, never with such a quick switch, like the Zeitwerk is doing.

But what does the Zeitwerk have,that others don’t? It is the first mechanical wristwatch, that displays the time digitally with jumping numerals. The Jumping numerals mechanism is the solution, the Lange watchmakers dared to create. It is made from 3 discs which are all aligned on the same line. All numerals are identical in size, allowing unambiguous legibility.

The patented constant force escapement is the dominating element within this construct. It not only helps to provide the balance with a source of steady and unchanging energy – which is also a big plus for its power reserve – but also makes it possible, that every 60 seconds the units-minute disc is able to jump to the next numeral immediately within a second.

To make these immediate jumps possible you need an extreme amount of force or energy, especially when a full hour is done and you need to switch all discs at once.
The Zeitwerk takes this energy from its special barrel, which is being wound up within every running minute, only to release the energy exactly when a new minute begins.

Technically, the required energy would destroy the fine structures within a movement, but Lange developed and incredibly smart solution for this problem: The energy that is being released each minute is being regulated by a paddle wheel after each switch by simply using air resistance. As unusual as it is genius.!

This time bridge connects all time displays on the dial. On the left you have the tens-disc or hours, on the right side the units-minute disc. You can find the seconds underneath and the power reserve which is 36h sits on top.

The big numerals make the dial easily legible. The clean design of the dial has Langes aesthetic written all over it with its minimalistic yet always a bit dreamy design. It almost seems as if the Zeitwerk serves one purpose: To build a bridge between the modern times and the traditions of the past.

To achieve the precision and legibility of a digital watch, without having to compromise on their Dedication to details and technical finesse which undoubtedly every A. Lange & Söhne watch exhibits, is definitely a challenge.

Even when you can see and feel the attention to detail in every aspect of the watch. It all reaches its peak when looking at the movement through the sapphire caseback. What you get to see here is a firework display of perfection and beauty, something to take away the breath of every person in love with mechanical wristwatches. Whats beating inside this 41,9mm Gold or platinum case is really one of a kind.

So up to this point, there still might be a lot of you out there asking themselves: How can a digital watch even be mechanical? Well, the answer to that question lies in a common misconception about what digital actually means: When hearing the word ‘digital’ many immediately think of electrical appliances.

But the meaning is a much simpler one: While analogue means, that each intermediate step between two – so for watches between two times – states is being displayed, which we can see here with the small second on the Zeitwerk. Digital means, that the time is being displayed right there without any intermediate steps and switches to the next minute or hour in an instant. So strictly speaking, this means that the Zeitwerk is an analogue, a digital AND a mechanical watch.

Not only can you see but you can also feel, how much technical innovation and know-how was necessary, to create this digital watch with a mechanical movement. Truly a watch to admire. Especially on the hour, when all numeral discs switch synchronous, within a split second but still smoothly - that is what I call watch porn.

[johnkollias]

Absolutely a one of a kind time piece. I'm sure those collectors with plenty of money will not hesitate to make the purchase. Unfortunately, the majority of us collectors do not have that kind of money, so we'll just have to appreciate your video often and savor the moment each time we watch it. Thanks for the review.

[stanrytan]

Thanks Jenni for your amazing commentary. This watch is indeed amazing and inspiring.

[OuijTube]

Beautiful. A triumph of the watchmaker's art. Yet I find myself utterly unmoved by it.

[davidgarcia]

Cogratulations Jenni, this is an amazing review.

[fadafadoudi]

That's a wonder indeed ... Thanks for the work Jenni !

[Horologique]

My ABSOLUTE grail watch, in the sense that I'll never be able to own one 😭. Thank you for giving us this review, keep the great content coming!

[johnantetomaso]

Great video! German engineering and attention to detail is the best there is....very soothing for my ocd..

[markedfortime]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing this wonderful work of art!

[franek.kedziorek]

I just love the way it looks. The precision is just a whole new level

[p.j.mendes]

Fantastic watch. Thanks for educating me. Never saw it before. Greetings from Brazil! Be safe, Jenni. Stay home and healthy.

[WNGZER]

The greatest watch ever made in my opinion. Thank you for such beautiful footage of it.

[walkerb]

Another awesome video! This channel is just getting better and better!

[dagsabot]

I dont know anything about watches but your voice makes me smile.

[philipsavage]

Great presentation, concise and well-proportioned, just like the subject matter. Tolle Arbeit, Jenni, besten Dank!

[derrickmatai]

The stuff that dreams are made of. I know cause of dream of this watch constantly! Thank you for the video.

[robertschmidt]

Loved the Zeitwerk Date from last year! Great upgrades to the movement and look. Having the opportunity to try one on was quite a unique and great experience!

[zardinus]

Greatest review for this watch so far!

[ironmic]

There are very few things that leave me speechless. Looking at the Zeitwerk, all the superlatives flood into the mind leaving me at a loss as to which adjective and emotion to use. There is just something in the contrast in which you can see how complicated the watch is, and yet so, so simplistic.

If I had to go all in on just one watch, this would be it. I am afraid, I might never take it off though.

[ccw]

Magical, fabulous, all borne of incredible German watch making, fusing traditional mechanics with a modern interface. I think this kind of perfection speaks to something higher and better in the human condition, higher than just patient industry and craftsmanship. Its Sublime!

[ericweis]

Thanks. A great presentation of this watch!