In November 2023, Anthony de Haas, product development director at A. Lange & Söhne, visited Japan. His main purpose was to unveil the new model. Indeed, as he took the time to explain, the sound of the new model is certainly different from previous models.
Unlike typical minute repeaters, this is a decimal repeater that chimes the hours, ten minutes, and minutes. The movement remains unchanged from the 2015 model. However, a change in case material has further improved the sound quality. This is a model aimed solely at collectors. Manual winding (Cal. L043.5). 93 jewels. 18,000 vph. Power reserve of approximately 36 hours. 18K honey gold case (44.2mm diameter). Water resistant to 30m. Limited to 30 pieces worldwide. Price upon request.
A key feature of this watch is that it uses the excess power from the mechanical digital display to ring the repeater. This is made possible by a remontoire that splits the power. Despite powering multiple mechanisms, the torque of the mainspring is kept to 1700g, the same as that of the El Primero.
Text by Masayuki Hirota (Chronos-Japan)
Edited by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2024 issue of Kronos Japan]
Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honey Gold
A. Lange & Söhne, which caused a stir among watch enthusiasts with its masterpiece, the Odysseus Chronograph, unveiled a honey gold model of its Zeitwerk Minute Repeater in November. It first appeared in 2015. Initially it had a platinum case, but the 2020 limited edition was changed to an 18K white gold case, and the 2023 edition is now honey gold. Product Development Director Anthony de Haas explains, "The movement hasn't changed at all since the 2015 model." The only thing that's changed is the material, but the reason they're making the point is that the sound of the repeater is different.
Born in the Netherlands in 1967. After graduating from Christiaan Huygens Technical School in 88, he joined IWC before joining Renaud & Papi (now Audemars Piguet Le Locle), where he was involved in the design of complicated watches such as repeaters and tourbillons. In 2004, he joined A. Lange & Söhne, and has been in his current position since 14. His ability to bring together complex mechanisms is highly regarded.
"The sound of the 18K white gold case is a little hard and loud, while the honey gold case has a warmer sound." Indeed, when you compare the two, the sound of the honey gold is different. It may be due to differences in adjustment, but there must have been a reason for the change.
However, the manufacturer A. Lange & Söhne likes to pack the movement as close to the edge of the case as possible. This has made it popular with connoisseurs, but I feel that it may not be suitable for wristwatch repeaters, which have space within the case to resonate. When I asked frankly, I was told that "Zeitwerk repeaters also have space within the case." However, de Haas asserts that "even if there is a lot of space, it doesn't have much of an effect on the sound. A pocket watch repeater is a good example."
As always, the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater boasts an outstanding level of perfection. Unlike today's easy-to-understand repeaters, the sound is not loud. However, the quality of the sound exceeded my expectations. According to A. Lange & Söhne, the suggested retail price for the new Zeitwerk Minute Repeater is 8000 million yen. This is understandable considering that only a few units are produced per year, but the 23 version is extremely expensive. How many people will actually be able to afford it?
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