A. Lange & Söhne

I have great ambivalence with the current ALS offerings. The Odysseus doesn't do it for me--I saw some fan photoshopped changes that improved it, but still no. I did see a prototype at a boutique. The Zeitwerk Date (my newest) has some of the same love/hate issues. I can't decide on the red (instead of say blue) for the date; the whole date chapter wring makes something simple look busy. As always (well almost always, I once saw a couple GOs that broke the rule) it looks better in the metal than it does in photos.

I find all the Zs easy wearing. The plats, as expected are heavy. But I like a little weight on the wrist. It reminds me it is there moments before I slam it into a doorknob! My original has a lot of wear marks.

It can be jarring moving from a traditional analog display to a Zeitwerk and then back. I'm fortunate to have several different watches and corresponding displays. The regulators are the hardest to re-adjust to. But with the Zeitwerk it is pretty quick. Except when you mistake one of the windows for a date! (I admit to making this mistake occasionally. In my defense the original WatchTime review claimed it displayed the date! Talk about oopsy journalism and bad editing.)

Other than my qualms with the Date's display, the updated movement is fabulous. I like the quirky cocking of the ones digit before the change on the original. It is much reduced in my striking ones, and eliminated in the Date. The bigger power reserve is also welcome as I find winding the things annoying. I wish the crown were a millimeter or two further south. Finally the pusher to update the hours is also welcome, especially because of the date, because setting time through the crown can be a trifle tedious on the earlier ones. Given how they've changed the Date's dial, I would have thought a day/night indicator appropriate. MIA.
But yes, I love 'em and can easily recommend them.

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