The A. Lange & Sohne Lange Zeitwerk 2009 replica timepiece cuts an uplifting figure. Its most dramatic feature may be the winged German silver time bridge that stretches within the dial to border digital hour and minutes shows along with the small seconds subdial, effectively unifying each one of these elements. The Zeitwerk is immediately recognizable as a Lange product, with its up and down indications on the power display and unique shape of the hands. The shape of the case reflects typical Lange styling, and even the digital displays have a familiar look: they use the same type of numerals as do the large date indications on many other Lange watches. Lange dispensed with the usual bar between the first and second digits of the display, which is an appealing aesthetic touch.
In conjunction with the two digital displays this creates a harmoniously balanced image.
Besides its visual appeal, this bridge is another functional area of the movement: it supports the arbor for that two minute disks by having an unusual without color jewel and it is guaranteed noticeably towards the mainplate with a screw.
The outer minute disk advances by one step while a fly vane decelerates it. This component — shaped like a tiny revolving door — creates air resistance to slow the movement but still allows the disk to advance within a fraction of a second each minute.
In that mens fake A. Lange & Sohne watch, the hours appear as Roman numerals in the first window while the second window, showing the minutes, advances only every five minutes . This “jumping” minute indication has presented a massive challenge for other watch companies that have attempted it. The minute indication on the Zeitwerk is much more precise and involves a shift every minute.
It ensures that a constant amount of torque is delivered to the balance wheel independent of the state of the mainspring. Lange produces its own hairsprings in addition to the spring for the constant-force escapement, bringing the number of components in the Zeitwerk to an impressive 388.
Swiss-made fake A. Lange & Sohne used the ingenious constant-force mechanism to solve the problem of decreasing rate precision due to energy required for advancing the disks. This refined yet complicated technology was used in a slightly different way in the Lange 31.