Pushing frontiers

Latest releases from A. Lange & Söhne, Tag Heuer and Bvlgari feature stunning mechanics and engineering marvels

- Wong Kim Hoh

A. LANGE & SOHNE RICHARD LANGE JUMPING SECONDS

Nine years strong and still setting benchmarks, A. Lange & Söhne's Richard Lange Jumping Seconds returns in a striking new guise. Limited to 100 pieces, this latest incarnation pairs a warm pink-gold dial with a cool white-gold case.

The wonder lies in its triple-threat mechanics. A constant-force escapement ensures rock-steady timekeeping, while the jumping seconds hand ticks precisely 60 times a minute. When the crown is pulled, the ingenious Zero-Reset mechanism instantly snaps the seconds hand to zero for perfect time-setting accuracy.

The design pays homage to 18th-century Dresden master Johann Heinrich Seyffert, whose chronometer accompanied German explorer and scientist Alexander von Humboldt on his legendary Latin American expedition from 1799 to 1804. The largest subdial showcases the jumping seconds, flanked by the smaller hour and minute registers below.

At 39.9mm and just 10.6mm thick, proportions are gorgeously balanced—a Lange trademark. The sapphire caseback reveals the manually wound 390-component calibre L094.1 in all its glory, complete with a hand-engraved balance cock, blued screws and that signature three-quarter plate in German silver.

Price: Upon request.

TAG HEUER TH-CARBONSPRING OSCILLATOR AND CARRERA ASTRONOMER COLLECTION