Hands-On With The A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds

I don’t mind admitting that I can get a bit cynical and jaded when discussing watches. There’s just so much coming out and, frankly, not everything is equally inspired or well executed. So when I get the chance to go hands-on with something like this, it can feel like a breath of fresh air. This is the A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. Join me for a closer look at this ticking beauty, and I will tell you why it captivates me so strongly.

This limited edition of 100 pieces features an 18K white gold case. The dial, meanwhile, is fashioned out of 18K rose gold. While this watch only displays the time, it still comes with several high-end complications. As the name suggests, you get a jumping (or “deadbeat”) seconds hand. Lange pairs it with a constant-force escapement and a zero-reset function. The German house presents all of this in a triangular regulator-style layout. There’s plenty to unpack, so let’s dive in!

Jumping seconds, zero-reset, and constant force

The A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds pairs a trinity of time displays with a trinity of complications. The eponymous jumping seconds come courtesy of a dedicated mechanism based around a five-pointed star. It rotates once every five seconds, and a feeler (called the “flirt”) is blocked and released by each of the star’s points. This allows the seconds hand to jump at discrete one-second intervals. As you might expect, the slender hand aligns perfectly with the seconds track, stopping dead on each exact marker.

Running in sync with the jumping seconds is A. Lange & Söhne’s remontoir. The constant-force mechanism utilizes a spring to charge and release once per second. This means the naturally declining force of the unwinding mainspring is translated into bursts of equal force, no matter the level of winding. Speaking of winding, a triangle in the center of the three sub-dials turns red when the power reserve dips under 10 hours, discreetly indicating that you should consider winding the caliber L094.1 inside.

Lastly, you get a zero-reset mechanism, emphasizing the precision of the jumping seconds. The foundation of this mechanism is a column wheel, as we know from chronographs. When you pull out the crown, it halts the balance wheel, stopping the movement, and jumps the seconds hand back to zero. This enables the lucky owner to set the time exactly to the next passing minute.

The Richard Lange Jumping Seconds: discrete jumps for discreet pleasure

Now, when you read about a full-gold watch with three complications, you might expect something exuberant and extroverted. Nothing could be further from the truth when that watch is the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. This creation exudes an air of refinement and subtlety. You must be “in the know” to truly appreciate what Lange puts on display here.

For starters, none of the complications adds anything in terms of displayed functions. You don’t even get a date. All of this horological wizardry goes to presenting the time as best as possible, in mere hours, minutes, and seconds. Add to this the stealthy powers of white gold, and you have a watch that excels at inspiring the wearer without imposing itself on others. And that’s a good thing once you reach a certain stage of maturity and confidence.

The complications can be enjoyed through the sapphire display case back. Yes, the typical-for-German-watches three-quarter plate is there, covering many of the intricacies beneath. However, I’d say it is more of a three-fifths plate here, enabling a view of the unique adaptations to (and around) the escapement. It offers refinements that, again, only connoisseurs will recognize. The hand-applied anglage with sharp internal corners, for instance, requires some knowledge to truly appreciate. The same applies to the beautiful black-polished details and gold chatons for the rubies.

Wearing the A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds

The white gold case has a 39.9mm diameter and 10.6mm thickness. Like most Lange watches, the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is fairly large. This is almost inherent to the house, as Lange prioritizes depth and expansive movement architecture over miniaturization. Many of Lange’s calibers look like city skylines up close, compared to the more compacted designs of its primary Swiss competitors. This stylistic choice either speaks to you, or it doesn’t.

Caliber L094.1, then, fills out the case almost entirely. I happen to like this a lot. While, indeed, many A. Lange & Söhne offerings sit a little too large on my wrist, the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is just right. Keep in mind that the dial, with its triangular division of sub-dials, looks so intricate that it needs a little bit of room to breathe.

The sub-11mm thickness of the model helps keep things manageable and wearable. I absolutely loved wearing this Richard Lange. It offers the heft of a full-gold watch with the subtle yet warm sheen of white gold. I got used to it in no time. While it’s perhaps a bit too bulky to be a true dress watch, I would happily rock this as an everyday luxury option.

Seeing things in 4K

I made this comparison before, but it applies here. If you have not been lucky enough to enjoy a watch of this level up close, I have an analogy that might help. Looking at the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is like seeing a movie in 4K for the first time. You never thought the full-HD version was lacking, but suddenly, everything seems almost sharper than reality.

This actually applies to both sides of the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds. Not only does the caliber appear beyond detailed, but so does the dial. The matte, powdery texture appears silky smooth, while the printing is significantly finer and crisper than most. If it is beauty in precision and refinement you want, few man-made objects present it better than this. It truly appears to be rendered in higher definition than the world surrounding it.

A few words on design

With watchmaking mechanics, execution, and wearing experience out of the way, I can dedicate a few final words to design. The Richard Lange Jumping Seconds embodies the German watchmaking tradition to perfection. It has that disciplined Teutonic sternness that you just don’t get from Swiss or Japanese alternatives.

The Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is one of several Lange models designed around triangles. The three sub-dials form an off-center, even-sided triangle. With overlapping scales, the layout reminds me of a Venn diagram. Although this leads to some compromises, such as cut-off numerals and certain lines crossing each other, the design still feels virtuoso, for lack of a better word. The dials present with clarity and poise, hinting at the mechanical complexity that lies behind the dial without feeling contrived or over-complicated. The dial simply does justice to the watchmaking prowess inside.

Lastly, I absolutely love the combination of colors and textures. The powdery rose gold adds a sensual, delicate touch to the otherwise rather stark and cool aesthetic. As a result, I like this rose gold dial much more than the alternative black dial. The glossy black printing jumps off the dial, and a hint of red provides visual hierarchy.

Closing thoughts on the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds

If this reads more like an ode to the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds than a critical review, that’s because it is. When handling this watch, you can clearly see and feel the hundreds of hours put in by a team of highly trained and specialized craftspeople. The experience is nothing like handling any mass-produced object that surrounds us in everyday life.

Yes, for a price rumored to be around the €100,000 mark (price on request), you would expect an awe-inspiring watch. And while the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds certainly is, what makes it special is that it is discreetly humble at the same time. To me, that makes it even more impressive.

What do you think of the A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds? Let us know in the comments section below!