When you think of luxury watches, Switzerland probably comes to mind. But Germany also has a long and rich tradition in the art of watchmaking. In fact, it was German Peter Henlein who made the first wearable watches in the 16th century. These timepieces were so small that they could be worn as pendants. With the advent of industrialization in the 18th century, Germany became an important watchmaking center, not least due to the founding of the first watch factory in Pforzheim. Today, a large portion of the German watch industry is concentrated in Glashütte, a small town in Saxony with a population around 7,000. Some of the most successful German watch brands are based here, where they produce watches under the worldwide-respected “Made in Germany” seal. Precision, functionality, and aesthetics make these brands highly competitive – and most are available at a more affordable price point than their Swiss counterparts. In this article, we present the top 10 German watch brands. Join us on an exciting journey through tradition, innovation, and masterful craftsmanship.
- NOMOS Glashütte
- Junghans
- Junkers
- Glashütte Original
- Mühle Glashütte
- Stowa
- MeisterSinger
- Lange & Söhne
- Sinn Spezialuhren
- Montblanc
1. NOMOS Glashütte: Minimalism Meets Precision
NOMOS Glashütte is a relatively young company that was founded in 1990. The production workshops are located in Glashütte, while the think tank is based in Berlin. The brand is known for its minimalist designs and the impressive accuracy of its in-house calibers, which are 100% “Made in Germany.”
What really distinguishes the brand is the NOMOS Swing System, a technological innovation with components like the balance wheel and hairspring all manufactured in-house. Famous models such as the Tangente – the perfectly embodiment of Bauhaus style – are the dream of many a watch lover. With its timeless retro look, the Tangente is ideal for a one-watch collection.
2. Junghans: Tradition Meets Bauhaus
Junghans was founded in the Black Forest region in 1861, and was once the world’s largest watch manufacturer. A collaboration with Bauhaus student Max Bill, who designed the iconic Max Bill Quartz model in the 1960s, was particularly influential for the brand. The combination of a simple design and high-quality materials has made the watch a classic that still delights many fans today.
Junghans continues to manufacture all its watches in the Black Forest town of Schramberg, thus combining tradition with the contemporary art of watchmaking.
3. Junkers: A Tribute to Aviation
The Junkers brand was founded by the great-granddaughter of aviation pioneer Hugo Junkers. It is known for pilot’s watches and chronographs inspired by the design of historic airplanes. Models such as the Iron Annie Ju 52 are reminiscent of the legendary Junkers aircraft.
One special collection is the Junkers Bauhaus series, which impressively implements the “form follows function” principle of the Bauhaus style.
4. Glashütte Original: Classic Elegance Reimagined
Glashütte Original looks back on a proud history dating back to 1845. The brand is one of the most renowned German watch manufacturers and runs its own watchmaking school, which transfers knowledge accumulated over centuries into the 21st century.
The watch collections play with symmetries on the dial and reinterpret traditional shapes in refreshing ways. A classic series is the Senator, which is available in different versions with and without complications. The Pano collection stands out for its asymmetrical dial, while the current Vintage collection reinterprets classics from the 1970s and 80s.
5. Mühle Glashütte: Precision for the Sea
Mühle is also a traditional watch manufacturer from Glashütte, with almost 150 years of company history behind it. Originally specializing in measuring instruments and speedometers, the company now draws on its many years of expertise in the manufacture of nautical instruments to create professional-grade wristwatches.
Their wristwatches are intended for professional use at sea and must therefore meet the requirements of high functionality and good readability. Series such as the Robert Mühle S.A.R. Rescue-Timer are designed and optimized for special functions, in this case sea rescue. Others, like the Robert Mühle AUF/AB, are simpler yet still equipped with exciting features such as an up/down display, which shows how much time is left until the next winding.
6. Stowa: Bauhaus Aesthetics With a Modern Twist
Stowa was founded in 1927 by watch dealer Walter Storz and made a name for itself primarily with pilot and marine watches. A particular highlight from the brand is the Antea collection, which was relaunched in 2004 and is strongly inspired by historical models. The Antea stands out with its clear lines and versatility. Whether in the traditional version with a silver dial or in black or rose gold, with an automatic movement or manual winding, with small or central seconds, the watch is a timeless classic.
In 2015, Stowa took a bold step and presented a modernized version of the collection: the Antea Back to Bauhaus. This model captures the essence of the Bauhaus style, but has been reduced even further in terms of design. Instead of lines on the minute scale, there are now discreet dots. The color spectrum of the dial has been expanded to include options like blue, green, pink, and light brown. Despite these changes, the Antea remains true to its origins: form and function are always in harmony.
7. MeisterSinger: Experience Time Anew
Founded in Münster in 2001, this company is based on the early watchmaking tradition of the Middle Ages, as its unique selling point is the one-hand watch. Instead of second or minute hands, these watches only have an hour hand.
This minimalist design has revolutionized the world of watches and won MeisterSinger numerous awards. Some have praised the brand for its elegance, others for its minimalism. Others see their watches as the perfect way to experience time more consciously. The absence of minute and second hands slows down the perception of time, bringing the moment into focus.
8. A. Lange & Söhne: Luxurious Masterpieces
This traditional company was founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte and played a pivotal role in establishing Glashütte as a watchmaking town. Watches from A. Lange & Söhne are characterized by traditional craftsmanship and extreme attention to detail, which has earned them international recognition beyond Germany’s borders.
After its reestablishment in 1990, the brand gained worldwide recognition with iconic models such as the Lange 1 with its distinctive date display. The Saxonia collection reflects its regional roots and combines luxury with craftsmanship.
9. Sinn Spezialuhren: Focus on Functionality
This company was founded in 1961 by pilot Helmut Sinn in Frankfurt am Main. Due to his background as a pilot and aerobatics instructor, he initially produced watches that were specifically aimed at the needs of pilots and flight instructors. The company has since added diving watches, special chronographs, and navigation board watches to its range. At Sinn, functionality of the watches is paramount.
This is particularly evident in the case of mission timers, which have been specially-designed for specific missions by pilots, divers, and firefighters for over 20 years. One example is the EZM 12, which was developed for the air rescue service. Other exciting series include the Frankfurt Financial District, the 600, and the EZM 3 diving watch with magnetic field protection.
10. Montblanc: From Writing Instruments to the Art of Watchmaking
The luxury brand Montblanc is primarily known for manufacturing exclusive writing instruments, but has also been producing luxury wristwatches for decades. Models such as the Timewalker or the Heritage Spirit Moonphase are characterized by intricate details and precise automatic calibers.
Although they originate in Germany, the watches are manufactured in Switzerland.
Why German Watch Brands Are Valued Worldwide
German watch brands are synonymous with precision, innovation and timeless design. Whether minimalist like NOMOS or luxurious like A. Lange & Söhne, they have come to symbolize the art of watchmaking. “Made in Germany” is a quality seal that inspires confidence worldwide and puts German brands on par with Swiss luxury brands. What’s your favorite German watch brand?
