The Audemars Piguet escapement, launched in 2006, is certainly living up to its promise in the classic Jules Audemars collection. It is lubricant-free, ensures excellent efficiency and guarantees superior shock-resistance. Within its new showcase with a three-dimensional design, it even exceeds expectations in that its technical performances are combined with an exceptional frequency of 43,200 vibrations per hour!

By thus oscillating twice as fast as normal, the balance ensures enhanced timekeeping and improved reliability of the movement. The fruit of ten years of development can be seen in breakthroughs
embodied in the Audemars Piguet escapement. There’s no need for lubricants on the pallet-levers. It can also be seen in its direct impulse on the balance, high efficiency, superior shock-resistance and optimal long-term stability.

The high frequency – 43,200 vibrations per hour (6 Hz) – ensures enhanced timekeeping and improved reliability. The movement
finishing and decoration is inspired by the grand watchmaking tradition.

The Richard Lange ‘Pour le Mérite’ is dedicated to greater precision in time measurement. The model has a case in platinum or pink gold with a diameter of 40.5 millimetres, perceptibly enhancing legibility. Puristically organised, the radiant white three-part enamel dial features narrow black
Roman numerals for the hours and small red Arabic numerals for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Thirty elaborate processes are needed to produce each of the three subsidiary dials. The result is an immaculate enamel face that sets a brightly contrasted stage for the classic blued-steel hands.

The second Richard Lange also focuses the attention of its owner on the objective of all horological ambitions: the greatest possible degree of precision. It relies on an ingenious construction, a drive based on the chain-and-fusée principle used as early as the 15th century among others by Leonardo da Vinci. It is much rarer today than the Tourbillon. At the same time, it is much more effective in a wristwatch because it overcomes the greatest disadvantage of the winding train – the unavoidable loss of torque – by intelligently harnessing the principle of levers.

The exclusive calibre L044.1 movement is powered by an indexless escapement that beats with 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour and has a power reserve of 36 hours when fully wound. All components of the complex manually wound movement are crafted to the highest Lange quality standards and lavishly decorated. In addition to the balance cock, the separate escape-wheel and fourth-wheel cock are engraved by hand as well. Indeed, the ‘Pour le Mérite’ is not only a technically sophisticated precision timekeeping instrument; it is also a stunningly exquisite horological work of art.