At first glance, the Lang & Heyne Albert barely looks like a chronograph.
That is exactly what makes it interesting.
Instead of the usual two or three chronograph registers, the Albert places both the chronograph seconds and minutes at the centre of the dial. The blue central hand records elapsed seconds, while another central hand records the minutes. The small display at 6 o’clock is simply the watch’s running seconds.
Making a central minute counter is considerably more complicated than simply adding another subdial. In the hand-wound Calibre IV, Lang & Heyne developed a mechanism that disconnects the chronograph minute counter when it isn’t running, avoiding the constant friction that would otherwise occur between the minute-counter arbor and the continuously moving going train.
The chronograph itself is controlled through a single pusher integrated into the crown, preserving the remarkably clean appearance of the 44mm rose-gold case. Turn it over and the restraint disappears: the column-wheel mechanism, long levers and large 200-tooth gold chronograph wheels are completely exposed.
A chronograph designed to look almost nothing like one.
Lang & Heyne “Albert” Single Pusher Chronograph Rose Gold 44mm
- Size: 44mm
- Movement: Manual Winding
- Functions: Hour, Minute, Sub Seconds and Monopusher Chronograph
- Dial: Grand Feu Enamel Dial
- Crystal: Sapphire front and exhibition caseback
- Water Resistance: 30m