The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Is Released In Honeygold

The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater stands in an echelon of its own as the only mechanical wristwatch that combines a jumping numerals display with a decimal minute repeater. And today, the renowned minute repeater is catapulted yet again into a higher echelon with the introduction of the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of A. Lange & Söhne

At the heart of the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold’s exceptional sound is the case itself, crafted from the exclusive Lange Honeygold (HONEYGOLD®). This distinctive alloy acts as a resonant body, producing a unique sonority characterized by clear, resonating tones and a rich, warm timbre. Anthony de Haas, Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne and an avid drummer, elucidates the importance of materials in shaping the watch’s unique sound: “Every minute repeater has its own, one-of-a-kind sound. Different materials, much like musical instruments, create diverse tone colors and sound impressions. This is especially true for our Honeygold novelty, which possesses a truly distinctive sound.”

Tino Bobe, Director of Manufacture, adds, “To achieve this particular sound quality, every parameter must be perfectly aligned. The gongs, hand-tuned with meticulous care, deliver pure, resonant tones that harmonize impeccably with the unique sonic properties of Lange’s exclusive case alloy. Additionally, each component is finely tuned by our master watchmakers, a process involving multiple stages of disassembly, refinement, reassembly, and meticulous testing. Crafting such a watch demands acute hearing and extraordinary dexterity.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of A. Lange & Söhne

The craftsmanship extends to the gongs and gong hammers, which undergo elaborate polishing and black polishing, all skillfully integrated into the dial’s design. During the repeater sequence, these components offer not only an exceptional auditory experience but also a visual spectacle that is sure to captivate.

Innovating every facet of the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold, A. Lange & Söhne’s watchmakers devised a unique button mechanism for triggering the repeater. The striking mechanism derives its power from the twin mainspring barrel, eliminating the need for a conventional slide, commonly found in minute repeaters, to tension a separate spring. To ensure seamless functionality, the watch features intricate safety and blocking mechanisms within the movement. These safeguards prevent the repeater from being activated when the power reserve drops below twelve hours, avoiding any unintended interruption to the timepiece’s operation. The power-reserve indicator conveniently highlights this threshold with a red dot.

Additionally, during the repeater’s operation, the switching action of the numerals discs is delayed, and the crown is locked to prevent interference with the striking sequence, ensuring an uninterrupted acoustic time indication. This meticulous attention to detail guarantees a flawless minute repeater performance.

The Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold, like all models in the Zeitwerk watch family, is powered by the manufacture caliber L043.5. This movement features a constant-force escapement between the barrel and the balance, serving as a pacemaker for the instantaneous advancement of the numerals discs every minute. Furthermore, it significantly contributes to rate stability by delivering a consistent force to the balance, irrespective of the watch’s winding state. With 771 meticulously hand-finished components, this movement exemplifies the brand’s commitment to precision, with the balance cock and the escape-wheel cock intricately engraved by hand.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of A. Lange & Söhne

The Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold joins the rather impressive repertoire that is the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater family, currently available in platinum with a rhodié-coloured dial since 2015, and a limited 30-watch edition in white gold with a deep-blue dial introduced in 2020. All models share a case diameter of 44.2 millimeters, and the new edition features a dark-brown, hand-stitched leather strap, further enhancing its remarkable elegance. Limited to just 30 watches in 18-karat Honeygold, the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold undoubtedly adds another layer of rarity to an already incredibly precious watch.