A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Referenzuhr

Just like the recently unveiled Glashutte Original Strasser & Rohde Regulator hand-wound wrist watch, the new A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Referenzuhr model’s main selling point is the historical connotations that date back to the 19th century. A century before high-speed optical networks and atomic clocks, it was an era, when high-precision pocket watches were used to distribute right time from the timekeeping service of the Mathematics and Physics Salon to public clocks at railway stations and these sort of installations where time was no just money, but also — safety.

Even though the new A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Referenzuhr is inspired by a vintage clock, it by no means looks archaic.

On the contrary, its flawlessly executed platinum or rose gold case, transferred black numerals and impeccable hands constantly (but very gently) remind you that it is, indeed, a product of the XXI century.

Equipped with the just introduced Lange L033.1 manual-wind movement, the watch features a Zero-Restart function, which basically means that you can reset the second hand to zero (or “60″ seconds, if you please) with a press of a push-piece, which is located at 2 o’clock on the side of the medium-sized 40.5 mm case.

The second hand will remain in that position for as long as you will keep the push-piece pressed. Say, to the sixth pip of the GTS on the radio.

Although A. Lange & Sohne says nothing about the movement’s accuracy, at least you will be able to set the time right again each time you find the watch lying.

Unfortunately, in its lengthy press release the German watch maker says nothing about whether the movement is capable to simultaneously adjust position of the minute and hour hands. I mean, it would be really nice if, when the Zero-Restart is activated at 11:59:36, the hands would move right to 12:00:00.

Well, maybe I just ask too much.

Photos: A. Lange & Söhne

A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Referenzuhr watch specification

Price range: $55,000 in rose gold / $70,000 in platinum
Movement: Lange L033.1, hand-wound, 276 parts, 34 jewels, 21,600 vph, in-house, 6.8 mm high, 30.6 mm in diameter
Complications: Power reserve, Zero-Restart
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case material: Pink gold (Ref. 250.032, limited to 75 watches) or Platinum (Ref. 250.025, limited to 50 watches)
Bezel material: Pink gold or Platinum
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire crystal caseback
Case size: 40.5 mm
Case height: 11.2 mm
Dial: Solid silver
Numerals: Roman
Hands: Pink gold or Rhodiumed gold
Strap: Hand-stitched crocodile strap
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: N/A