IntroducingThe A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date, Now In Pink Gold

The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk needs very little introduction around these parts. Having received quite a bit of recognition from horological circles since its introduction in 2009, it has still managed to stand out as a pillar of Lange's complicated offerings. It's the ultimate mechanical digital watch, with instantaneously jumping discs for the minutes and hours, all aligned on the dial for easy reading at a glance.

The year 2019 saw the introduction of a second-generation Zeitwerk movement, which is thinner than the first and features several technical improvements, including a longer power reserve and a new pusher mechanism to quickly advance the hours. However, in an unexpected twist from the brand, the new movement did not appear in the standard Zeitwerk, but rather in a brand-new model with a date wheel, known as the Zeitwerk Date. With the Zeitwerk Date, a cool grey and white gold take on the classic Zeitwerk dial was now surrounded by a light grey date wheel, with the current date highlighted in red. Adding to the instantaneous changes of the Zeitwerk, once the second hand hits 60 seconds at midnight, every single disc changes over on the watch instantaneously — the minutes, hours, and  date.

Today, six years later, Lange adds a second case metal, in pink gold, to the Zeitwerk Date offering. Everything else remains identical, except for the new combination of warm pink gold with shades of grey. Actually, everything is identical with the tiny little exception of the grey date ring — it is imperceptibly changed to be a shade warmer than on the white gold model. But while this release doesn't mark any technical changes, that doesn't mean that the Zeitwerk date isn't still an incredibly technically advanced watch to this day. With the in-house Calibre L043.8, the manually-winding watch offers a power reserve of 72 hours, and the 44.2mm case shows off two pushers on its lower half for the date and hour quick-adjust, and the crown at two o'clock. One of those unmistakably Lange moves is making the pushers operate in negative release, which means that the pusher is activated only when released, ensuring a constant force is applied each time to the movement. Everything is packed in at a fair 12.3mm in thickness, given the complication.

Front and center in the movement architecture is the all-important remontoir bridge, which showcases the mechanism responsible for ensuring the Zeitwerk operates as intended. Powered by the giant twin mainspring barrel, the remontoir ensures that the right amount of power is uniformly released every 60 seconds to jump the disks. The caliber beats away at 18,000 VpH, or 2.5Hz. Finishing remains, as with all Lange watches, excellent, with plenty of decorative finishes across the German silver movement done by hand — Glashütte stripes, anglage, perlage, and more. Of course, you can't forget about that signature hand-engraved balance cock. Actually, on the L043.8, you get a bonus hand-engraved bridge. Two hand-engraved bridges, for the (not for the faint of heart) price of one!

The Zeitwerk Date in Pink Gold ref. 148.033 is available now through Lange boutiques and retailers. Price is on request, though the current white gold variant is priced at $132,000.

Though you'll hear me wax on endlessly about so many of the German brand's horological accomplishments, the Zeitwerk always holds a special place in my heart. The Zeitwerk Date remains one of my favorite Zeitwerk executions, just one rung under the Zeitwerk Lumen in Honeygold, because of the unique combination that still feels fresh within Lange's typically more stoic design codes.

The 44.2mm diameter might seem incredibly large, but in person, it actually changes the Zeitwerk proportions to something much more conventional for those who find the traditional Zeitwerk a bit hockey puckish on the wrist. So, like with many watches, I'd encourage you to try this one on in person to see how it fits on your wrist. Don't get me wrong — it's still a big watch — but you might be surprised.

I'm a bit shocked that six years down the road, the Zeitwerk Date has not received a new dial color, but pink gold does werk (sorry) quite well with this dial execution, and is the first Zeitwerk to get this combination. While I love the subtlety of the grey dial on white gold, this is definitely for someone who wants a little bit more luxurious warmth with the complication. It is a much more standout piece, and will certainly attract a new set of prospective buyers who found the previous one a bit too low-key.

Brand: A. Lange & Söhne
Model: Zeitwerk Date
Reference Number: 148.033

Diameter: 44.2mm
Thickness: 12.3mm
Case Material: Pink gold
Dial Color: Grey
Lume: No
Water Resistance: 3 ATM
Strap/Bracelet: Dark brown alligator leather strap

Caliber: L043.8
Functions: Jumping hours and minutes, date, power reserve indicator, small seconds
Diameter: 37mm
Thickness: 8.9mm
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 18,000 VpH or 2.5 Hz
Jewels: 70
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: $132,000
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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