German Watch Brands – Who’s Making Waves Across the Water?

Curious about timepieces from Germany? We rounded up some of the best German watch brands you can invest in right now.

The German watch industry is small in comparison to worldwide exporters. Switzerland is the leader in terms of value, while China is the giant in terms of volume. Japanese is the country we instantly associate with quartz technology. Still, German watches have an air of clean, simple sensibility and, sometimes, a distinct styling. Much German watchmaking occurs in the country’s historic locations, like Glashutte or the Black Forest.

This article looks at some of the most innovative German watch brands you can invest your money in right now. 

A Slice of Important German Watchmaking History

If you know little about German watchmaking, you may be intrigued by the country’s history and evolution in developing this technical art form. 

The pivotal moment for Germany was the introduction of Ferdinand Adolph Lange & Cie in 1845. Ferdinand Adolph Lange began training Glashutte watchmakers. The area soon flourished, with many businesses following suit. The district became famous for high-precision pocket watches and marine chronometers. Later, Walter Lange would drive forward the company we all recognize today as A. Lange & Sohne. This prestigious Saxonian brand deserves an entire introduction of its own. Maybe that’s an article or another time!

After the Second World War, the Soviet Union began taking over Glashutte-based manufacturing facilities. Small series production ended temporarily, and mass production moved into those small areas. German entrepreneurs, however, gradually changed the course of Glashutte watchmaking once more. A resurgence in independent manufacturers returned. The same goes for Pforzheim and the Black Forest. The latter specialized in wall clocks, grandfather clocks, and alarm clocks. However, producing metal clocks became the Black Forest’s specialty, where large-scale production proved incredibly successful. 

Today, many high-end German timepieces are sold in the luxury segment alongside several respectable Swiss names. Here are some of the best. 

The Best German Watch Brands

Often considered the silver medalists of the watch world, German brands have a deep heritage in watches and clocks. Even today, fatherland timepieces usually have top-notch craftsmanship, though their designs are typically more withdrawn than those of other watchmaking schools. 

If you love a high-quality but clean, even basic, wristwatch design, you might consider a German timepiece from this list. 

1. A. Lange & Söhne

Lange & Söhne is one of the highest-end German-made watch brands. The founder is Ferdinand Adolph Lange, a horological icon thanks to his development of the detached Glashütte escapement. After precisely assembling each watch movement, the master watchmaker takes it apart so they can clean each piece all over again before reconstructing it. 

The artisans hand-insert the gold chatons before placing the movement in a precious metal case. Plus, the brand engraves the trademark floral pattern on the balance cock. As such, no two A. Lang & Söhne watches are identical, making them individual works of art. So why is A. Lang & Söhne so reputable? Generally, it’s their attention to detail!

2. Junghans

There’s nothing more German than the austere Bauhaus aesthetic, and Junghans goes all in. The company began its story in 1861. It became the world’s biggest clockmaker before making a name for itself in the wristwatch game in the ‘50s. That’s when Junghans hired Modernist designer Max Bill.

Junghans wristwatches sport the same design as Max Bill clocks in the Museum of Modern Art collection. So even if you’re going for a low-priced fashion watch, it’ll have an “artsy street cred” about it. Junghans was also the official Olympic timekeeper in 1972. This important sports connection points to the brand’s credibility score, as seen in many current examples. 

3. Glashutte Original

Glashütte Original is an esteemed brand that didn’t happen by accident. First, it only makes a few hundred pieces per line, which justifies its high prices. This, however, is a purposeful move on their part to create a feeling of exclusivity. Second, the company we call Glashütte Original arrived in 1994. Yet, it can lay claim to the utility-focused traditions of Glashütte 1845, allowing it to wear the mantle of tradition.  

Before you write them off as clever marketers or history revisionists, Glashütte Original funds the Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking. The school produces German watchmakers in the Saxony tradition. They’re also part of the Swatch Group, so they’re kind of like Omega’s German cousin. 

4. Sinn

Sinn departs from the clean and abstract aesthetic of stereotypical German design. Even so, it’s completely on-brand when it comes to professional-level functionality. These watches have heavy, robust, and strong aesthetics. Unsurprisingly, the company began in Frankfurt since Helmut Sinn was a WWII pilot. That was before an engineer, Lothar Schmidt, took over in the 90s, ensuring the brand racked up professional certifications.

For example, Sinn designs pilot watches in accordance with the official European pilot standards by the Aachen University of Applied Sciences. Meanwhile, the largest maritime classifier in the world, Germanischer Lloyd, certifies Sinn’s dive watches. 

5. Laco

If you’re big into aviator watches, you likely have a Laco watch in your collection. This Pforzheim-based brand built the first DIN-certified pilot watches for Germany. Each model had to pass several strength tests via the German standardization institute. Along with IWC and A. Lange & Söhne, Laco was one of five watchmakers the German Air Force chose.

Naturally, Laco leans heavily into aviator styles when it comes to branding. Even their popular Laco Sport Chronographs, to which they owe much of their popularity, feature bold lines. The Laco line has a wide price range, too. So, you can find timepieces under $500 and beautiful antique-inspired watches, like the Kempten Erbstuck, for over $2000.

6. Nomos Glashutte

Nomos Glashütte is a relatively new member of the Glashütte club, having launched in 1990. Still, they quickly made a name for themselves. It’s the biggest mechanical producer in Germany. It’s also a member of the Bauhaus initiative, Deutscher Werkbund, which connects industrial production with handcrafted art.

Suffice it to say that Nomos’ mechanicals are genuinely artisan. Its chronometry department makes most of the parts by hand. If you’re looking for a modern watch with very German sensibilities,  Nomos Glashütte is for you. The brand’s award-winning flagship model is the Nomos Tangente, a fun take on the Bauhaus style. It has an abbreviated-looking sub-dial and tidy Arabic numerals paired with stick hands.

7. Muhle Glashutte

I know it seems as if fatherland watchmakers love their pilot watches, and they do. But Mühle Glashütte builds some excellent divers! The brand has been around for 150 years and is one of the Glashütte OGs. It began by building measuring and nautical instruments. 

Like Sinn, Mühle’s engineering background is evident in its robustly built, high-function timepieces. Admittedly, Mühle watches are huge, so they’re not necessarily the best watches for small wrists (LINK). That said, it produces many unique divers, so there’s always a lot of choice. 

8. Meistersinger

Meistersinger is a go-to brand for elegant and ornamental gift watches; there are no prizes for guessing why. Like the Breguet-type hands, Meistersinger uses one singular hand as an aesthetic trademark. This design cue takes inspiration from ancient sundials and the clock tower of Westminster Abbey.

The romantic and fanciful designs of many Meistersinger watches distinguish the brand from other typically German designs. Above all, Meistersinger is a respectable brand. It introduced a whole new (and relaxed) way of timekeeping, securing itself a unique position in the industry. 

FAQs

Here are some facts you may find helpful while researching German-made watches.

Are German-Made Watches Any Good?

Yes, some German-made watches combine expert engineering with utility to offer great value-for-money timepieces. Many German watch designs have a form-follows-function aesthetic that collectors find remarkably practical and pared-back for versatility.

What Watches Does Germany Make?

One testament to Germany’s extraordinary craftsmanship is Nomos Glashutte, the country’s largest mechanical watch manufacturer. Other brands include Glashutte Original, Junghans, and Laco, with price points and styles that vary depending on preference and budget.

What Are German Watches Known For?

Germany holds a reputation for crafting straightforward designs that nod to the fine arts movement of the Bauhaus era. The philosophy centers around minimalism and fuss-free aesthetics while simultaneously balancing functionality. 

What Is the Oldest German Watch Brand?

The oldest German watch brand is Kienzle Uhren, whose history dates back to 1822. The manufacturer has a classic style and became a trailblazer in German solar-powered watches with its Hellomat watch. 

The Takeaway

As you can see, German watch brands are more than minimalist Bauhaus designs. They can range from whimsical and elegant to massively robust. Yet, several brands put their own spin on the classic templates, even within the traditional German category. The great thing is that regardless of the style you love, there is a range of prices and many high-quality options. 

What are your favorite watches made in Germany? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter today for more guides like this!