The Birth of LANG 1943

In 2022, watch industry entrepreneur Georg Bartkowiak founded Lang 1943 as a tribute to his friend and mentor, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang. With Lang’s considerable expertise as a consultant for design and technology, Lang 1943 was able to bring his creative vision to life. The brand’s debut release, the Field Watch Edition One, embodies Lang’s dedication to quality and his passion for mechanical watchmaking.

The Design of the Field Watch Edition One

The Field Watch Edition One pays homage to the iconic Dirty Dozen timepieces, a group of 12 watches commissioned by Great Britain’s Ministry of Defense for the armed forces. The design codes of these historic timepieces inspired Lang 1943 to create a watch that combines nostalgic elements with contemporary appeal. The brushed stainless steel case, with its straight and circular brushed finish, exudes quality and durability. Measuring 39mm in diameter and 8.4mm in thickness, the case is perfectly proportioned for most wrist sizes.

My hands-on first impression of Edition One was that looks very much like H. Moser made field watch with the striking fumé dial. The dial is convincing and high quality. The watch feels lightweight on the leather strap, and I wore it comfortably for a week. I would easily place this watch in the GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) category. Throughout the week I kept gazing back at that dial with a smile.

The Field Watch Edition One is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for everyday wear and outdoor adventures, except water sports. The watch comes with two interchangeable straps, allowing for versatility and personalization. The brown calfskin leather strap and the beige woven textile strap, both equipped with quick-release spring bars, offer comfort and style. The naturally tanned leather strap develops a unique patina over time, creating a personalized touch for each wearer.

The Unique Proposition of Vintage Marvin Movements

At the heart of the Field Watch Edition One lies a vintage Marvin movement, carefully restored, refurbished, and decorated by Swiss watchmakers. Lang’s foresight led him to acquire the entire remaining stock of Marvin movements and components in the 1990s. The hand-wound L43.1 Caliber, based on the Marvin 700 movement from the 1960s, showcases the brand’s commitment to preserving horological history while infusing it with modern aesthetics. The finishing of the movement respectable, but not exceptional as you would get from an independent master watchmaker. After all, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang’s philosophy was to offer mechanical watches with decently finished movements, well designed dial, interesting complications, all within mid-level price range.

The Future of LANG 1943

Field Watch Edition One is just the beginning for Lang 1943. The brand has exciting plans for the future, with several new creations set to be introduced in late 2023. First up will be a collaboration with creative artist Seconde Seconde. Each watch from Lang 1943 will continue to celebrate the golden age of watchmaking, connecting nostalgic design with modern aesthetics.

Lang 1943 has positioned itself as a brand with great potential. With accessible pricing, limited production, and a commitment to using only German and Swiss components, Lang 1943 offers a compelling proposition for watch enthusiasts. The Field Watch Edition One, priced at €3,500, presents an opportunity to own a meticulously crafted timepiece with a restored vintage movement.

LANG 1943 Field Watch Edition One Specifications and Price

REF. FW1.L43001.002

Case: 39mm x 8.40mm, stainless steel with straight and circular brushed finish, 50 meters

Dial: Black to grey sunray brushed fumé dial, Arabic numerals with Super-Luminova in old radium color, white syringe hands with Super-Luminova

Movement: Hand-wound L43.1 caliber based on the Marvin 700 movement, 3 Hz/21,600 vph, 46 hours power reserve

Strap: Brown calfskin leather strap, additional beige woven textile strap with Alcantara lining

Price:  Euros €3,500 / USD 3,861