Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One

When it comes to Microbrands, our minds usually conjure up images of young watchmakers who have emerged within the past 5 to 10 years, at most. So, when we stumbled upon a new microbrand called Lang 1943, we found ourselves in a state of mild confusion. Our confusion only deepened when we discovered that the company was actually founded in 2022. However, all our perplexity evaporated the moment we laid eyes on their inaugural timepiece – a true work of art. Introducing the Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One – a captivating vintage military watch that beckons us to delve deeper into the world of this intriguing brand. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover this timepiece.

Table of Contents

What’s the story behind the company’s name?

Gerd-Rüdiger Lang was born in Braunschweig, Germany, in 1943. He was a visionary watchmaker who helped to revive the mechanical watch industry in the 1980s, following the quartz crisis.

Lang was the founder of Chronoswiss, and he was the first to adapt transparent casebacks on commercially produced wristwatches. He was also a leading expert in chronographs. Lang was a craftsman with a deep respect for tradition, and his work was inspired by his belief in the true and lasting value of mechanical timepieces.

Lang’s incredible foresight and dedication to his craft is why LANG 1943 exists today. This new watch brand is inspired by Lang’s work, and it continues his legacy of creating high-quality, mechanical watches.

What’s Inside the Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One – Vintage Military?

Usually, we would start with the description of the watch case and its dial. But, although the Field Watch Edition One is beautiful, as we will get to know it soon, what we find most amazing with this new watch is the movement.

At the heart of every LANG 1943 watch is the L43.1 Calibre, a hand-wound movement of rare pedigree. Based on a 1960s Marvin 700 movement, the L43.1 Calibre is a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. These calibers were fully restored, refurbished and decorated by Swiss watchmakers for Lang 1943.

The movement has a diameter of 29.4mm and a thickness of just 3.2mm, which contributes to the elegantly thin case profile of LANG 1943 watches. The large balance wheel beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, ensuring that the watch keeps accurate time. The movement has a power reserve of 46 hours, meaning that you can wear your LANG 1943 watch for two full days without having to wind it.

The L43.1 Calibre is a testament to the skill and dedication of the LANG 1943 watchmakers. It is a movement that is both beautiful and functional, and it is a source of pride for the LANG 1943 team.

In honor of Gerd-Rüdiger Lang’s decision to reveal the mechanics of his watches through transparent casebacks, the L43.1 Calibre was designed with a passion for beautiful and visible mechanics and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

The decoration of the caliber includes:

Polished screws
Polished jewel sinks
Straight Côtes de Genève decoration
Superb anglage on the beautifully shaped bridges

These decorations are not just for show. They serve a functional purpose as well. The polished screws help to reduce friction, which in turn helps to improve the accuracy of the watch. The polished jewel sinks help to protect the jewels from wear and tear. The Côtes de Genève decoration helps to reduce friction and improve the shock resistance of the movement. The anglage helps to improve the strength and durability of the bridges.

All of these decorations are done by hand by skilled watchmakers. They take time and effort to complete, but they are worth it. They add beauty, elegance, and sophistication to the L43.1 Calibre. They also make it a joy to look at, even when it is not in use.

Case & Dial

In crafting their timepieces, Lang 1943 has opted for a brushed stainless steel case that measures 39mm in diameter and boasts a slender profile with a thickness of 8.4mm. The watch comes with a scratch resistant domed sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflective coating and a clear caseback. The watches are water resistant up to 50 meters.

Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One. Source: Lang 1943.

The dial of the Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One is a beautiful blend of black and grey. The main dial is sunray brushed, while the sub-dial is black. The numerals and hour markers are luminescent Arabic numerals and round/baton hour markers with Swiss Super Luminova in an old radium color. The hands are white syringe hands with Swiss Super Luminova in an old radium color. The combination of colors and materials gives the dial a classic and timeless look.

The Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One comes with two straps, a brown calfskin leather strap and a beige woven textile strap with Alcantara lining. Both straps have quick release spring bars, which makes it easy to change them without the need for tools. The straps are also tapered from 20.00 mm into 18.00 mm, which ensures a comfortable fit on a variety of wrists.

Slim Profile. Source: Lang 1943.

The brown calfskin leather strap is made from high-quality leather that is soft and comfortable to wear. The beige woven textile strap is made from a durable and lightweight material that is perfect for everyday wear. The Alcantara lining on both straps provides a soft and luxurious feel.

Dirty Dozen Watches

The Field Watch Edition One is inspired by the Dirty Dozen watches. The Dirty Dozen is a nickname for a group of 12 watches that were made by 12 different Swiss watchmakers for the British military during World War II. The watches were chosen for their durability, accuracy, and reliability, and they were issued to British soldiers fighting in all theaters of the war.

The 12 watches that make up the Dirty Dozen are:

Buren Mark X
Cyma Commando
Eterna Kontiki
Grana Mido Multifort
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Lemania 18.751
Longines Flagship
IWC Mark XI
Omega Mark III
Record 911
Timor 15
Vertex M19

The Dirty Dozen watches are all relatively small by modern standards, with cases that measure between 35 and 38 millimeters in diameter. They are also all powered by manual winding movements, and they have either black or silver dials.

The Dirty Dozen watches are highly collectible, and they can command high prices on the secondary market. They are prized by watch enthusiasts for their history, their durability, and their timeless design.