The ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER is the first mechanical watch that pairs a jumping numerals display with a decimal minute repeater. At his drum kit, Anthony de Haas, Product Development Director at A. Lange & Söhne and passionate percussionist, answers questions concerning the resonance and rhythm of the sonorous masterpiece.
Why did you pick the ZEITWERK as the basis for A. Lange & Söhne’s first minute repeater ?
Everyone expected that in the footsteps of the GRAND COMPLICATION, which was in essence our first minute re-peater, we would choose a classic model like the 1815. That’s why we opted for a surprising solution. Additionally, the ZEITWERK is a technically ideal platform for the integration of a striking mechanism. The unique architecture of the calibre enables an optimised arrangement of the snails that control the striking sequences.
What was the biggest challenge in designing the movement ?
A shortage of space. The movement of the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER has more than twice the number of parts than the already highly complex calibre L043.1. Nonetheless, it has the same diameter as the ZEITWERK STRIKING TIME, which requires about 250 fewer parts. To accommodate the ensemble in such a tight space, we eliminated – among other things – a separate spring barrel for the striking mechanism and the conventional slide. The ZEITWERK features one large, high-torque spring barrel that is eminently suitable for this purpose.
Anthony de Haas explains the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER at the drums.
What else was critical in the development phase ?
When designing such a complicated movement, many details come into the equation. The hammers, for instance, play a pivotal role. They must retract instantly after the strike – just like drumsticks – to prevent any attenuation of the vibrating gongs. Their shape and weight are key issues, as are the characteristics of the springs that set the hammers in motion. The movements are so fast that they can hardly be captured, even with high-speed cameras.
Why did you choose platinum for the case ?
As a musician, I do not share the common opinion that certain materials in a minute repeater fundamentally sound better than others. Let me explain it with drums as an example. The snare drum is among the most important instruments. Its body can consist of different materials. Wood creates a warm sound, while brass or steel bodies produce a harder, metallic tone. It’s not a better-or-worse issue. The question is: which sound timbre is the better match for a certain style of music?. Going back to the minute repeater, this means that pink gold produces a warmer tone but, of course, it is also possible to achieve excellent sound quality with a platinum case.
How significant is the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER for A. Lange & Söhne ?
From my perspective as a product developer, the ZEITWERK MINUTE REPEATER represents a milestone for the future of A. Lange & Söhne. It has brought us a great step forward in the development of chiming watches. Furthermore, the project was really fun, especially because of the unusual challenges it posed. Not least, this is due to the way we collaborate as a team. We confront each other as sparring partners, which allows us to identify new and creative solutions. In this particular case, a little bit of pride on our part is justified, I think.
About A. Lange & Söhne
When Ferdinand Adolph Lange, a Dresden watchmaker, established his watch manufactory in 1845, he laid the cornerstone of Saxony’s precision watchmaking. His precious pocket watches remain highly coveted among collectors all over the world. The company was expropriated after World War II, and the name A. Lange & Söhne nearly fell into oblivion. In 1990, Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s great-grandson Walter Lange had the courage to relaunch the brand. Today, Lange crafts only a few thousand wristwatches in gold or platinum per year. They are endowed exclusively with proprietary movements that are lavishly decorated and assembled by hand. In a period of little more than 20 years, A. Lange & Söhne developed 51 manufacture calibres and secured a top-tier position among the world’s finest watch brands. Its greatest successes include innovative time-keeping instruments such as the LANGE 1 with the first outsize date in a series produced wristwatch as well as the ZEITWERK with its supremely legible, precisely jumping numerals. In the meantime, both models have become icons of a brand rich in tradition.
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