Comments:
The mysterious dial of the Lange Zeitwerk luminous
The idea to create the Lange Zeitwerk "Luminous" came from a simple observation: in a very dark room, the figures of the "classic" Zeitwerk are not visible which could be considered as a pity for a digital time display.
Trouble with the Zeitwerk is that the watch doesn't use hands for the hours and minutes indication but only figures located in two separated windows. So, if we take the hour figures, they are beneath the dial 22 hours a day.
With the will to create a Lange Zeitwerk "Luminous", the need to use a specific dial which would be light-permeable was arising. It is the reason why Lange decided to use a sapphire crystal dial with a special coating. The idea of this coating came from a pair of sunglasses... well, in fact, you have to consider the Zeitwerk Luminous dial is working in oppositing way of a pair sunglasses. Because this dial blocks the visible light and is permeable to UV light to charge the phosphorescent painting of the numerals.
The interesting point is that this dial transforms the design of the Zeitwerk which becomes even crazier than the classic versions! If you look at the Zeitwerk Luminous with different lights, the dial seems to be dark, even black or chocolate. Sometimes, it seems to be a solid dial, sometimes, it becomes transparent. The hidden figures seem to be ghosts floating in a dark room... a mysterious side which brings a lot of charm to this Zeitwerk !
Dark:
Chocolate (yes, yes, we are talkling about the same watch, we only changed the type of light !)
The beautiful and typical Zeitwerk caliber:
On my wrist:
Believe me, this watch won't fade into obscurity ! It was one of my fav novelties of the 2010 SIHH. It is obvious for a lot of Lange fans: the most appealing version of the classic Zeitwerk is the WG one. I think this Luminous is the most eccentric current Lange watch which makes it so attractive ! Sadly, due to the use of a platinum case, the price is much higher than the WG version. And another pity, it is limited to 100 watches... but at least, this "madness attack" is good news coming from Lange !
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2010-06-06 03:43:50
Trouble with the Zeitwerk is that the watch doesn't use hands for the hours and minutes indication but only figures located in two separated windows. So, if we take the hour figures, they are beneath the dial 22 hours a day.
With the will to create a Lange Zeitwerk "Luminous", the need to use a specific dial which would be light-permeable was arising. It is the reason why Lange decided to use a sapphire crystal dial with a special coating. The idea of this coating came from a pair of sunglasses... well, in fact, you have to consider the Zeitwerk Luminous dial is working in oppositing way of a pair sunglasses. Because this dial blocks the visible light and is permeable to UV light to charge the phosphorescent painting of the numerals.
The interesting point is that this dial transforms the design of the Zeitwerk which becomes even crazier than the classic versions! If you look at the Zeitwerk Luminous with different lights, the dial seems to be dark, even black or chocolate. Sometimes, it seems to be a solid dial, sometimes, it becomes transparent. The hidden figures seem to be ghosts floating in a dark room... a mysterious side which brings a lot of charm to this Zeitwerk !
Dark:
Chocolate (yes, yes, we are talkling about the same watch, we only changed the type of light !)
The beautiful and typical Zeitwerk caliber:
On my wrist:
Believe me, this watch won't fade into obscurity ! It was one of my fav novelties of the 2010 SIHH. It is obvious for a lot of Lange fans: the most appealing version of the classic Zeitwerk is the WG one. I think this Luminous is the most eccentric current Lange watch which makes it so attractive ! Sadly, due to the use of a platinum case, the price is much higher than the WG version. And another pity, it is limited to 100 watches... but at least, this "madness attack" is good news coming from Lange !
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2010-06-06 03:43:50
What should I say?
During the 15 years+ that I'm interested in watches, I have learned that it is better to get the piece you realy want (and wait for it to happen as financials are always limited 
), then always buying new watches you just like. At the end you spend the same amount all together than for the one watch you want. Why do I say this... Some weeks ago, I tried the Zeitwerk WG with black dial a I'm loving it, I want it. Even enough at this price point to take the plunge probably still this year. But, and a big but, then you have this watch (which I never saw in reality though) that I realy adore, I even want more.
But like Francois Xavier said, it is platinum and that equals a super premium at Lange. I must admit that is normaly out of my price range, I (we the family) still have a lot of other hobies
What should I do: Zeitwerk WG with black dial or wait a few years to get a second hand Zeitwerk "phantom"?
We'll continue the discussion in Paris on the 23th I suppose.
Great pictures btw!
Dirk
), then always buying new watches you just like. At the end you spend the same amount all together than for the one watch you want. Why do I say this... Some weeks ago, I tried the Zeitwerk WG with black dial a I'm loving it, I want it. Even enough at this price point to take the plunge probably still this year. But, and a big but, then you have this watch (which I never saw in reality though) that I realy adore, I even want more. But like Francois Xavier said, it is platinum and that equals a super premium at Lange. I must admit that is normaly out of my price range, I (we the family) still have a lot of other hobies
What should I do: Zeitwerk WG with black dial or wait a few years to get a second hand Zeitwerk "phantom"?
We'll continue the discussion in Paris on the 23th I suppose.
Great pictures btw!
Dirk
My suggestion...
Go to the WG ! I think it will be too hypothetical to imagine if a Luminous will be available in the second hand market. First of all, because there will be ony 100 watches and secondly... I think that the owners will keep them !
I fall in love with the WG Zeitwerk...
Fr.Xavier
I fall in love with the WG Zeitwerk...
Fr.Xavier
I agree FX. Also...
The platinum model may come in a little heavy on the wrist, do to the case size.
Looking very Nice FX. I just wish we could get them with Roman numerals for hours.
Cheers,
--
Richard.
My Grail Lange...
with no doubt.I fell for the zw long long time ago,WG was my choice,but this year this came and I feel weak in the knees.It is the utimate Lange for me because it haseverything I want.
1)It is a Lange..(do I need to say more?))
2)It is one of the most stunning calibers I have seen(Winner of the GP of Geneve)
3)It is a milestone.....(the digital revolutiuon started with the ZW)
4)Being a Lange it is not too "classic" nor too "german" or cold.It is the coolest watch on earth,a breath of fresh air .
Now,I love the louminous,It is the cherry on the cake.Unfortunately it is overpriced (I only heard rumors so I would appreciate an official price if anyone knows,......per PM of course).
It might be a bit difficult to justify its price but the watch is stunning.
I hope to have the hance to see one live ,
There you go this is MY ultimate Lange.
Yours,Mo.
Thanks Fr-Xavier.
The Zeitwerk Luminous is astonishing and my favourite Zeitwerk. Here are a few more photos.
- SJX
I don't love this watch, I don't recognize Lange, If I want a watch that give the hour in
the middle of the night, i take my Radiomir 1938...
Lange have better to do than that, like a Dato officier, with a tachymeter "snail" scale, like the WW1 officer chronograph.
(like bréguet)
Or a B-uhr, that will be a good use of the 31days caliber!!
Or anything, whose too vintage, too "Sisi Imperatrice" but I don't wait them on a woodstock watch.
Lange have better to do than that, like a Dato officier, with a tachymeter "snail" scale, like the WW1 officer chronograph.
(like bréguet)
Or a B-uhr, that will be a good use of the 31days caliber!!
Or anything, whose too vintage, too "Sisi Imperatrice" but I don't wait them on a woodstock watch.
This and only this particular Zeitwerk
is the one for me ... The others seem button-downed, banal, and somehow bureaucratic; this one is full of magic and mystery on the dial side, but without recourse to using black mother of pearl or ruthenium for striking color changes and effects - the stealthy hint of hidden numerals - that even make technological sense: UV in - visible light OUT. That makes for a total watch experience - all captured by your camera. This Lange you don't have to turn over to become thoroughly enthralled and enamoured - of course you can and should and will be doing all of that!
However, the Luminous Zeitwerk is integrated, back to front, to side, or in any direction you care to take it.
Now how often does that happen, with Lange - or any brand that comes to mind?
But only if those customers before me in the waiting line get cold feet, and I sure hope they do in what promises to be a warm if not scorching hot summer over here.
Fr-Xavier - again you, and only you have done it!
I may never pick up a camera again.
Be it upon your conscience that I immediately contacted my AD for the availability of this very special item, and am now waiting for the good - or any - news before September.
Strange that many here have rarely bought a watch unseen or untried. With me, it's the other way around. Have I ever been disappointed? Not yet, but the risk is always high.
Also special thanks to SJX.
Blunotte, where are you?
Cheers (and hope),
Amery
This message has been edited by amerix on 2010-06-09 09:41:05 This message has been edited by amerix on 2010-06-09 09:56:32
However, the Luminous Zeitwerk is integrated, back to front, to side, or in any direction you care to take it.
Now how often does that happen, with Lange - or any brand that comes to mind?
But only if those customers before me in the waiting line get cold feet, and I sure hope they do in what promises to be a warm if not scorching hot summer over here.
Fr-Xavier - again you, and only you have done it!
I may never pick up a camera again.
Be it upon your conscience that I immediately contacted my AD for the availability of this very special item, and am now waiting for the good - or any - news before September.
Strange that many here have rarely bought a watch unseen or untried. With me, it's the other way around. Have I ever been disappointed? Not yet, but the risk is always high.
Also special thanks to SJX.
Blunotte, where are you?
Cheers (and hope),
Amery
This message has been edited by amerix on 2010-06-09 09:41:05 This message has been edited by amerix on 2010-06-09 09:56:32
THE conceptual Zeitwerk ...
Which was already original...
I fell under the charm of this version, indeed, even if a normal Zeitwerk would make my day!
You can love it, or hate it, ou can't stay unsensible.
Best,
Nicolas