A. Lange & Söhne Stuns the Concours of Elegance Germany with a New Zeitwerk Date in Rose Gold

Fair summer weather (including a little light rain) set up a sunny attitude for attendees of the Concours of Elegance Germany, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, on Lake Tegernsee last weekend.

Alongside 50 of the rarest and most precious classic cars (not to mention an additional 100 rarities in special exhibitions from top brands and private collections), the renowned German watchmaker debuted an exquisite, hand-crafted piece of mechanical art, a gorgeous Zeitwerk Date in 750 rose gold.

So, what happened during the Bavarian classic car show? Here are the highlights!

The watchmaker’s partnerships with important global classic car concours events represent a focused, dedicated, long-standing effort to celebrate the enduring connection between automotive and horological craftsmanship. However, the show-stopping revelation of the new Zeitwerk Date is the first time the maker has debuted an official watch novelty at a concours event.

Like a vintage dashboard odometer (or even a trackside lap-counting pole), A. Lange & Söhne’s Zeitwerk timepiece applies its unmatched constant-force movement precision and excellence into a unique jumping, “manual-digital,” numeral time-telling approach.
 

Oversized apertures for the hour (at 9 o’clock) and the minutes (at 3 o’clock) have presented a disruptive, modern-meets-classic, sans-hands design ever since the Zeitwerk originally debuted in 2009. We first saw the addition of a rotating, red date function around the outer “steering wheel” of the Zeitwerk in white gold from 2019.

For the 2025 Zeitwerk Date (Ref. 148.033) that debuted during the concours, the timepiece features a combination of materials that is a first for the collection: a splendidly warm pink gold case and a handsome, understated grey dial with German silver bridging.
 

“The Zeitwerk Date gives traditional A. Lange & Söhne watchmaking artistry a distinctive, contemporary face,” Anthony de Haas, the brand’s Director of Product Development, explained to Watchonista.

“Precisely at midnight, it puts on an exceptional show,” de Haas continued. “Because then, all three jumping numeral discs and the date ring switch simultaneously. At that moment, a force and precision are at work that you imagine can be felt through the case.” Kind of sounds like an engine gear-shift, right?

In just its second year, the German concours is already developing a reputation for awarding its coveted Best of Show award to some remarkable automotive rarities. The 2024 crown went to a 1939 Lancia Astura cabriolet owned by enthusiast Hans-Jörg Hübner.
 

This year’s winner: a gorgeous, period-green 1932 Austro Daimler Bergmeister coupe.
 

As the name implies, Austro Daimler was an Austrian car manufacturer that operated originally as a subsidiary of Germany’s Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). The subsidiary began operations in 1899, built its first car in 1900, broke from DMG in 1909, and continued until 1934 when it was dissolved. And it never got any better than this 6-cylinder, roaster-y, open-air “gentlemen’s” coupe.
 

Fun Fact: A young Ferdinand Porsche (senior) served as the brand’s technical designer around the beginning of the 20th century.

Watchonista CEO Andrew Luff traveled to Lake Tegernsee for the event, reporting: “My general impression of these events is that they can perhaps be too much to take in as a casual enthusiast. But this show is very attendee-friendly: intimate, well-curated, and more accessible compared to others. As someone who is decidedly a car fan, but hasn’t attended many classic cars concours events, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Concours of Elegance Germany, presented by A. Lange & Söhne.
 

“Of course, as an even more enthusiastic watch fan, being among the first to lay eyes on the new version of the Zeitwerk Date and having the opportunity to spend some time with the folks from Lange was a highlight for me, as well as for the other people who attended the show.”

He concluded: “The combination of that debut, along with the absolutely gorgeous curation and presentation of classic cars, made for a potent one-two punch that appealed to my passions.
 

“The event itself also presents a particularly festive atmosphere, making it very easy to enjoy everything that is going on. Some of the Concours of Elegance Germany’s special programming, around younger, emerging car collectors and even kids, makes for a very inclusive, friendly environment; a relaxed counterpoint to the serious automotive and horological ‘art’ on display.”

Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, sums up the show: “After enjoying the magic of the premiere last year, we were delighted to appreciate the beauty of an emerging ritual this year. It was a great pleasure for us to be involved in the Concours of Elegance Germany for the second time as a presenting partner. This extraordinary event is an impressive expression of our shared understanding of craftsmanship, innovation and hospitality.”

Watchonista will be there to report on upcoming Lange-sponsored concours in the U.K. in September (the Concours of Elegance Hampton Court Palace) and in the U.S. in early October (the Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week). Stay tuned to the Lounge by Watchonista as those events roll out.

You can discover more about the new Zeitwerk Date via the A. Lange & Söhne website.