Marco Lang, formerly of Lang & Heyne resurfaces with his own independent watchmaking company, and does what he does best. Introducing the Zweigesicht-1.
Retail prices, before taxes:
Zweigesicht-1 with shock indication €57.000 in stainless steel / €65.000 in gold / €68.000 in platinum
Zweigesicht-1 with engraved plate €51.500 in stainless steel / €59.500 in gold / €62.500 in platinum (instead shockindication)
Limited Edition of 18 pieces. Actually 19 pieces will be produced, with No 00/18 being reserved for Marco Lang.
Marco Lang Zweigesicht-1
The name Zweigesicht means two (zwei) face (gesicht) – an indication that the watch is presented with two sides. With a simple switch of the strap, using an interesting new mechanism developed for it, the owner can flip the movement over. Marco tells us, “It’s very easy! Anyone who dares to change their strap will also do this in 2 minutes.” Here is the concept:
Another interesting new feature – a shock indication system. Seen in the movement photograph below at the 9 o’clock position. This is a novel idea, which we have not seen in any other watch movement. The watch is offered either with this shock indication system, or in its place, a plate where a personalised engraving can be included.
The system monitors large shocks which the movement experiences and records it with data on the direction in which the blow is delivered. The x and Y coordinates of the maximum magnitude of the shock is recorded and and displayed using a hand spring mechanism with 4 hands. These hands are connection to two forks, which deflect according to the magnitude of the shocks received. The deflected position is held by a fine locking tooth to indicate the maximum amplitude received. The wearer can reset the system any time using a corrector.
The dial and case
The main dial is a simple, affair with a white silver plated dial. The dial is comprised of three parts with very slim Roman numerals. A minute railway track is on the periphery with 5 minute markers in gold appliqués. The central medallion is countersunk and features a guilloche Clous de Paris pattern. Hands are pencil shaped and available in either blued steel or rose gold. The
The case is available in stainless stee, 18k rose gold or in platinum, and measures 40mm in diameter with a height of 9.5mm. The sapphire glass is domed, coated with anti-reflective film on both sides and measures 12.5mm at its highest point.
The movement Caliber ml-01
The movement is a new movement developed and manufactured by Marco for this project. The bridges are made of hardened steel. The twin barrels are connected in series to provide a longer power reserve of 70 hours.
The back reveals the movement and the second face of the watch, and the time is displayed with a subsidiary hour and minute hand on a skeletonized, translucent grand feu enamel dial.
The classical movement is also displayed. And other than the shock indication system mentioned above, the movement is remarkable for its depth and layered effect as well as the play of colours chosen. A frosted gold base plate, with rhoduium plated bridges held by blued screws and gold chatons displaying the rubies provide a visual feast or a mishmash, depending on your aesthetic ideals.
The four legged balance is free sprung and regulated with gold inertial weights. The shape of the wheel and the bridge is inspired by the shape of Gothic church windows. The bridges are held in place by blued screws. Rubies are held by gold chatons, and the balance wheel has a diamond endstone in a gold chaton held by blued screws.
Another interesting aspect of the Marco Lang watch is that all technical and construction details are published and released for download one year after each model is released. This enables any technically experienced watchmaker to be able to work on the watch for maintenance and revisions. And provides a guarantee of long term service. And negates one of the objections against buying a complicated watch from an independent watchmaker. Marco Lang is the world’s first watch brand to pass on his ideas to posterity in theory, also for inspiration and non-commercial use.
Marco Lang Zweigesicht-1 specifications
Caliber ml-01
size Ø 34mm
height 4,4 mm (without dials)
frequency 3 Hertz (21.600 osz./ hour)
power reserve 70 hours
jewels 27 rubis, 1 diamond
balance/escapement
Free four-leg balance with eccenter regulation, blued Breguet hairspring
Lever escapement (20.5) with one-armed balance lever
function
face1: hours / minutes/ central second
face2: hours / minutes
second hand stop
double barrels connected in series
resettable shock indication in 4 directions (x/y) optional
Alternatively: engraving plate with personal engraving
water resistance
5 bar
