A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen: New Movement and Case

In October, the Director of Product Development at A. Lange & Söhne Anthony de Haas unexpectedly unveiled a new version of the Zeitwerk Lumen model which debuted in 2010.

Of course, we're all holding our breath waiting for a watch with a brand-new design to be introduced to the Saxon manufacture's line more than anything else. Following the gradual development of existing models is still fascinating nonetheless.

When it comes to A. Lange & Söhne, the list of changes is rarely limited to simply using a different case material — each model is transformed from both an aesthetic and technical point of view. This is what happened to the new Zeitwerk Lumen Honeygold.

As the name suggests, the limited series of 200 pieces are now housed in Honeygold cases — a gold alloy which first appeared in the same year the Zeitwerk Lumen model debuted back in 2010. 

Apart from  its unusual warm tone, this alloy based on 18-karat gold blended with copper, zinc and silicon is notable for being highly resistant to scratches. Honeygold was used for a series of models marking the manufacture's 165th anniversary, and the new material was used in last year's Homage to F. A. Lange edition.

The color of the alloy is somewhere in between white and pink gold. This is the first time it's been used in a watch which adheres to the Lumen concept. The series has already produced the Grand Lange 1 (2013), Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen (2016) and Datograph Lumen Up/Down (2018). 

The case measuring 41.9 mm in diameter frames a dial made of tinted sapphire crystal, through which the disks with luminescent numerals can be read in the dark. However, the biggest change in the Zeitwerk Lumen for 2021 is its new movement, which has doubled the power reserve.

The Zeitwerk L043.9 has a power reserve of 72 hours and drives the digital time display on the three disks. A new pusher has also appeared on the case at 4 o'clock. It allows the hour indication to be switched separately, which has made it easier to set the time.

This type of pusher which allows the hour disk to be adjusted without affecting the other disks was first seen in Zeitwerk Datograph models. The winding crown at 2 o'clock is still there for general time setting.

The transparent caseback reveals the magnificent finishing on the new caliber, with A. Lange & Söhne's traditional three-quarter plate. Apart from the balance wheel, the watch owner can observe the two barrels which supply energy to the constant-force escapement.