German watch brands have carved out a significant niche for themselves in the haute horlogerie market. Obviously, when we think of a Swiss Watch Factory of mechanical watchmaking movements, we think of Switzerland, and the fact is that the Swiss country is home to what are still today the best manufacturers in the world, however, in Germany some brands have flourished for decades that have been become a reference.

Germany is currently the fifth largest watch exporting country, behind China, France, Hong Kong and Switzerland. We analyze the main German watch references in this post.

German watchmaking through the centuries

The history of German watchmaking officially begins in the year 1767, at this time, Makgraf Karl Friedrich von Baden elaborates a specific decree for the city of Pforzheim and its incipient watchmaking industry. This city is in the southwest of the country, close to the border with Switzerland.

In this decree the rudiments of watchmaking of the time were explained, and it was a question of drawing up a list with standardization advice for the manufacture of watches.

Over time, the watch industry in Germany moved east to the city of Glashütte in Saxony. Today most of the great German watchmakers are located in this small town.

Like the rest of the German industries, watchmaking had its ups and downs throughout the last century, due to the two World Wars, however, today both Pforzheim and Glashütte continue to be world references in the taste for artisanal watchmaking.

What are the best German watch brands

It is really difficult to determine which are the best German watch brands, because the Germanic country offers a wide range of brands and parts. In any case, those that today are a reference in the luxury watchmaking sector are the following.

A Lange S?hne

It is one of the first watchmaking Watches Manufacturers, and one of the few that still stands after more than 150 years of activity. A. Langue S?hne was born in Glashütte in 1845 and since then they have based all their activity on artisanal manufactures.

Adolph Lange had learned to work in watch mechanics in Austria, he opened his workshop in Saxony with 15 apprentices, his main contribution to the world of world watchmaking was the work processes, which allowed him to streamline his production .

Nowadays, to speak of Lange Sh?ne is to speak of classicism, of an exquisite taste for design and mechanical details. The most famous models of the brand are the perpetual calendars in yellow gold crown, for example the Datograph model, a true work of art within the reach of very few manufactures in the world.

Glashutte Original

Glashütte is not only a city in Saxony, it is also one of the most famous manufactories in Germany.

A person who chooses a Glashütte is a person who knows about watches, and who is also committed to the highest quality.

When we talk about watches beyond the borders of Switzerland, perhaps the main reference is this watchmaking house, whose origin dates back to the mid-19th century. Since then they have reinterpreted the style of classic watches over and over again, but always following the classic lines, which prevail in the most valuable movements.

Perhaps its best-known model is the Senator, with aromas from the 70s and 80s. A Senator watch is always an original piece and a guarantee for those of us who are looking for watches whose main characteristic is in the movement.

Nomos Glashutte

It is a recently founded company, in fact it was born in 1990. In 30 years it has become a reference in the design of minimalist watches, with its own style but always based on order and cleanliness, just like the mythical German design school Bauhaus.

Their prices are more affordable than those of other manufacturers with greater tradition, however, they are a good option for all of us who are looking for an ultra-flat watch, with design and comfort for day to day. Another advantage of Nomos Glashütte is that its collection has all kinds of designs, adaptable to different wrists.

Montblanc

Montblanc is a German brand traditionally associated with writing instruments, especially fountain pens, however, it has also developed a strong watchmaking manufacture.

It currently manufactures both smart watches and traditional mechanical watches. The latter are assembled by hand, to guarantee their accuracy. The Star Steel lines or the Heritage Spirit Moonphase are a sample of the elegance of this manufacture.

Sinn

Sinn began its journey as a brand of chronographs for pilots, and today the style of aviators' watches can still be seen in each of its creations. Since the 1960s, its main hallmark has been the accuracy of its mechanisms, in fact, they were the first watches in the world to work in zero gravity situations.

Located in the German city of Münster, this manufacture is clearly focused on perfecting time machines. Watches with a simple design, but with infinite complexities in terms of the mechanism, made for the most elegant wrists.

One of its most recognizable features is that many of its models only include one needle.

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The vast majority of their pieces are focused on the main Swiss manufacturers, however, they also have pieces manufactured in countries such as Germany and France. If you are looking for luxury watches at the best price, at Watches5 you will find the perfect model, accompanied by the best price and the Watches5 guarantee.