From its beginnings, A. Lange & Söhne has been at the forefront of technical advancements and precision quality timing. While the firm collapsed during World War II and the ensuing “cold war” years, Walter Lange, the great grandson of the founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, breathed new life in to the firm, and today it is known both for it classic wristwatches as well as being a disruptive force, bring 21st century technology to horology. Their 2009 release of the Zeitwerk model with digital display was not only a game changer for its creative design but also for its technical craftsmanship. Paying homage to the Dresden Semper Opera house clock with a five-minute digital display, the Zeitwerk used a constant force mechanism (remontore d'egalite) enabling an even flow of energy to power the jumping hour and minute discs of the “time bridge” display. Removed from the brands traditional time only, chronograph and perpetual calendar timepieces, the Zeitwerk is a contemporary watch one may have assumed was produced by an independent maker, and while it is hard to improve upon the model, A. Lange & Söhne in 2011 released the Zeitwerk Striking Time adding a new dimension to the collection.