SIHH 2012: A. Lange & Söhne ‘Lange 1 Time Zone’

It might come as a surprise to the uninitiated, but not all high-end watches are made in Switzerland. Germany has an honourable tradition of watchmaking, with the Saxon manufacturer A. Lange & Söhne perhaps its most famous name.

Seven years after its first time-zone complication was presented at the SIHH, Geneva, in January 2012, the German company showed a brand-new model. This time the 18-carat white gold, 41.9mm-diameter wristwatch has a list of destinations on the outer ring of the entire face. By adjusting this ring, via a pusher on the case at eight o’clock, the time of any major city in the world can be instantly displayed.

As is usual with pieces from A. Lange & Söhne, the ‘home time’ is shown in a smaller, off-centre dial at the conventional ‘nine o’clock’ position. A smaller sub-dial at five o’clock shows the second time-zone time. Both dials features a handy day/night display.

SIHH 2012: A. Lange & Söhne ‘Lange 1 Time Zone’

At the heart of the Lange 1 Time Zone is the company’s L031.1 calibre movement, hand-wound with a 72-hour power reserve. The watch’s clear back allows this hand-finished masterpiece to be admired.

Photos: Lange & Söhne Glashütte