Richard Lange Jumping Seconds

A constant-force escapement and jumping mechanism are at the heart of this timepiece, inspired by the scientific observation watches.

The Richard Lange Jumping Seconds combines two mechanisms that functionally complement each other: a one-second constant-force escapement - ensuring ultimate precision - and a jumping mechanism, for crisp legibility of the time. Thanks to the Zero-Reset mechanism, the watch can be synchronised quickly and comfortably.

The timepiece comes in a sleek platinum case with a diameter of 39.9 millimetres. The rhodié-coloured regulator dial offers a large seconds circle at the top and smaller hour and minute circles arranged beneath it.
Ten hours before the power reserve is depleted (42h), a red triangular indicator – situated at the intersection of the hour and minute circles – reminds the owner to rewind the watch.

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The new L094.1 manufacture calibre features an ingenious arrangement that distributes constant-force generation and the seconds jump to two wheel trains, but also allows them to interact. The first wheel train extends from the mainspring barrel to the balance and, in one-second intervals, uniformly delivers energy to the escapement via a constant-force device. Visible through an aperture in the train bridge, the mechanism has a double function: it compensates not only the gradually waning force of the mainspring, but also offsets possible torque fluctuations while the seconds jump is executed. The result is a constant amplitude across the entire power- reserve range of up to 42 hours.
The mainspring barrel powers the jumping mechanism via the second wheel train. Its task is to convert the balance frequency of six semi-oscillations per second into one single step of the seconds hand. This process is controlled by a five-point star attached to the escape-wheel arbor, that rotates about its own axis, together with the escape wheel, once every five seconds. Every second, one point of the star liberates the so-called flirt. This long lever, powered by the mainspring, then executes an instantaneous rotation through 360 degrees, after which it is arrested by the next point of the star. The 360-degree rotation, transmitted by the wheel train connected to the fourth-wheel arbor, moves the seconds hand to the next full-second marker. At the same time, the jump switching impetus is used to deliver fresh energy to the remontoir spring of the constant-force escapement.

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The Richard Lange Jumping Seconds is endowed with a Zero-Reset mechanism. The clutch on the fourth-wheel arbor consists of three discs and a special hand-shaped spring. Pulling the crown activates a complex system of levers that block the balance with a stop spring and open the clutch. This separates the fourth-wheel arbor from the wheel train and allows virtually frictionless zeroing. Pushing the crown home closes the clutch and releases the balance again: the movement can restart.

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