Top 10 German watch brands

German watchmaking is world-renowned for its manufacturing quality, precision, design and innovative engineering. Two regions stand out for their watchmaking industry across the Rhine: the Black Forest region, with its cuckoo clocks, and Glashütte, a small town in Saxony that produces luxury watches.

In this article, we'll take a look at the top 10 German watch brands, exploring their history and design philosophy, as well as the technical innovations that have made German watchmaking one of the most sought-after in the world.

1. A. Lange & Söhne: cutting-edge watchmaking since 1845

A. Lange & Söhne is a German luxury watch brand founded in 1845 by Adolph Lange in the town of Glashütte. After Adolph Lange's death, his sons took over the company, which was marked by the wristwatch boom and the Great Depression of 1929. In 1990, Walter Lange, Adolph Lange's great-grandson, relaunched the brand after more than 50 years of inactivity. 

Today, A. Lange & Söhne produces only a few pieces each year, but each one is assembled by hand. Typically, an A. Lange & Söhne watch will have some interesting technical and aesthetic differences from its Swiss counterparts, such as the "three-quarter" plate visible through a transparent case back and the use of an exclusive precious metal alloy called "Honey Gold". Each watch is completely disassembled and then reassembled to check that it is in perfect working order before being put on the market, and the limited production ensures rarity, which attracts watch enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Since it was founded, A. Lange & Söhne has produced several flagship models for the watchmaking world: 

• Lange 1 A. Lange & Söhne's flagship model. This watch can be recognized by its off-center dial and large date display. It is available in several versions, including a limited edition with a rose gold dial and a ladies' edition with a diamond case;
• Zeitwerk This model features a unique digital display for hours and minutes. It uses a complex mechanism to display the numerals, which literally "jump" across the dial every minute;
• Saxonia The Saxonia collection offers sleek, elegant and minimalist watches with round gold or platinum cases and simple dials;
• 1815 The 1815 collection is inspired by the traditional pocket watches made by the brand in the 19th century. The 1815 watches feature gold or platinum cases with sleek white dials and slightly blued hands.

Suggested retail price for an A. Lange & Söhne

A. Lange & Söhne is a prestigious brand. The least expensive model (1815) is available for around 16,000 euros. For some models, such as the Zeitwerk, you'll need count a little over 60,000 euros, at least!

Model A. Lange & Söhne	Price guide in euros
Lange 1	From $22,764
Zeitwerk	From €60,576
Saxonia	From $13,248
1815	From €15,595

2. Glashütte Original: authenticity is an attitude!

The history of Glashütte Original dates back to 1845, when the first watchmakers settled in the small valley of the Ore Mountains, still in the town of Glashütte. With financial support from the government, they began to manufacture watches and watch components at home, using traditional methods.

In 2000, Glashütte Original became part of the Swatch Group, enabling the brand to go global and market its masterpieces in over 40 countries. Today, Glashütte Original is the epitome of fine German craftsmanship, combining traditional handwork with innovative technologies. 

Glashütte Original boasts exceptional watchmaking expertise, producing up to 95 % of all watch components in-house, including filigree dials, far from the temptation of outsourcing and offshoring. The brand's clearly defined values, including "consummate technical sophistication", irreproachable precision and timeless beauty, play an essential role in the creation of highly technical watches, with classic designs that don't get old over the decades.

Let's take a look at some of Glashütte Original's flagship models:

• Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar This watch features a sophisticated automatic movement and a perpetual calendar that can display the date, day, month, year and moon phase;
• PanoMaticLunar A model equipped with an automatic movement with a moon-phase display at 2 o'clock, as well as a large date display and small seconds at 6 o'clock;
• Senator Chronograph Panorama Date A watch with a self-winding movement and a chronograph function accurate to 1/100th of a second, as well as a panoramic date display at 6 o'clock;
• Vintage Sixties This watch is inspired by the vintage designs of the 1960s, and is available in a range of dial and bracelet colors. Equipped with an automatic movement and a stainless steel case, it is the brand's best-selling watch.

Approximate price for a Glashütte Original watch

To buy a Glashütte Original watch, you need to budget between 5,000 and 14,000 euros, excluding special or limited editions: 

Glashütte Original model	Guide price (in euros)
Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar	From €14,000
PanoMaticLunar	From €8,000
Senator Chronograph Panorama Date	From €9,700
Vintage Sixties	From €5,000

3. Nomos Glashütte: easy to wear, hard to beat!

Nomos Glashütte is a German watch company specializing in the design and manufacture of hand-wound and automatic mechanical watches. Founded in 1990 by Roland Schwertner in Glashütte (definitely!), the brand has been widely acclaimed for its sleek, modern designs, drawn by the inimitable Susanne Günther, which reflect the influence of the Bauhaus style. 

Over the years, the brand has grown to become one of Germany's most respected luxury watchmakers, despite its relative infancy compared to the industry's behemoths.

Nomos Glashütte watches are all made in Germany, in Glashütte, and are recognizable by their sleek design that enhances the beauty of the dial and materials. The brand produces its own mechanical movements, which are assembled and adjusted by hand by skilled craftsmen. Despite their exceptional quality, Nomos Glashütte watches remain relatively affordable compared to other high-end watch brands:

• Tangent The Tangente is one of Nomos Glashütte's most popular models, with its square case and sleek design. It is available in a variety of sizes and dial colors;
• Orion The Orion is a timeless watch with a classic round case and minimalist white dial. It is also available in a larger version called Orion Neomatik ;
• Club The Club is a sporty watch with a round case and colorful dial. It is perfect for outdoor activities and is also water-resistant to 100 metres;
• Metro The Metro is an elegant, modern watch with an asymmetrical dial and blue hands.

Suggested retail price for a Nomos Glashütte watch

A Nomos Glashütte watch costs at least €1,000. The most expensive models cost up to 4,000 euros (certain Metro editions).

Nomos Glashütte model	Guide price (in euros)
Tangent	From 1,500
Orion	From 1,500
Club	From 1,000
Metro	From €2,800

4. Sinn: an old-fashioned watchmaking house

Founded in 1961 by a former pilot and flight instructor, Helmut Sinn Spezialuhren embodies German expertise in mechanical watches and movements. Based in Frankfurt, the brand initially designed aviation watches and on-board clocks. It quickly made a name for itself for the quality of its products, before diversifying into the consumer market, with a particular focus on enthusiasts and purists. 

The German manufacturer has also equipped some of the German army, police and customs corps with its chronographs, remarkable for their simplicity and elegance. In addition to its aviation watches, Sinn has created high-end timepieces that rival the greatest Swiss names in the industry.

Sinn watches are renowned for their exceptional quality and flawless functionality. They are also affordable for such quality, and offer sleek designs and state-of-the-art materials. Sinn watches are durable, robust and timeless, and carry a storytelling that appeals. Sinn's most popular models include :

• Sinn 556 A classic watch with a sleek design and sturdy construction for everyday use;
• Sinn U1 A professional diving watch with a unidirectional rotating bezel and water resistance to 1,000 meters;
• Sinn EZM 3 A pilot's watch with chronograph and instant reset function designed for use in extreme environments;
• Sinn 857 UTC VFR A pilot's watch with world time function and bidirectional bezel for in-flight use.

Suggested retail price for a Sinn watch

Generally speaking, Sinn watches are affordably priced compared to other prestigious German brands. The basic Sinn 556 model starts at 1,000 euros. 

Sinn model	Guide price (in euros)
Sinn 556	From 1,000
Sinn U1	From 1 600
Sinn EZM 3	From 1,100
Sinn 857 UTC VFR	From 1 800

5. Junghans: from tradition to the future

Junghans is a German watch manufacturer founded in 1861 in Schramberg, in the Black Forest, which started out producing spare parts for the watch industry. Thanks to the exceptional finish of its products, the brand quickly gained a certain notoriety in the country. In 1866, Junghans' master watchmakers produced and assembled the first watches emblazoned with the brand logo. After the Second World War, the company adopted more precise and modern measuring methods, developing the electric movement. 

As a pioneer of modern time measurement, Junghans became the official timepiece of the 1972 Olympic Games, presenting the first wristwatch equipped with a quartz movement in 1970. The company also created the first radio-controlled table clock and the world's first radio-controlled wristwatch in 1990, demonstrating its ongoing quest for precision and creative wealth. Junghans' principles have remained the same since the company was founded: a unique combination of traditional watchmaking expertise, precision and technological innovation, reflected in the brand's slogan, " from tradition to the future ".

This watchmaker is known for its precise, elegant timepieces, but also and above all for its pioneering role in developing disruptive technologies in the industry. Here are a few popular Junghans models:

• Max Bill The Max Bill watch is a classic watch designed by the Swiss artist and designer of the same name, in collaboration with Junghans. It features a clean, minimalist design, with a white or black dial, simple indexes and slender hands. It is available in different sizes and movements;
• Meister Meister is a range of traditional watches with stainless steel cases and elegant dials. It is available in various versions, including automatic, quartz and chronograph watches;
• Form A range of elegant watches with stainless steel cases and minimalist dials;
• Spektrum The Spektrum collection is a range of modern watches with stainless steel cases and multifunctional dials. Available in quartz and automatic models.

Suggested retail price for a Junghans watch

Junghans models range in price from 500 to 3,500 euros.

Junghans model	Guide price (in euros)
Max Bill	Between 500 and 2,000
Meister	Between 500 and 2,500
Form	Between 500 and 2,000
Spektrum	Between 800 and 3,500

6. Tutima: watchmaking, a major art form

Tutima is a German watch brand founded in 1927 in Glashütte by an engineer and watchmaking enthusiast, Dr. Ernst Kurtz, whose aim was to produce high-quality watches for pilots and members of the German army. 

Over the years, Tutima has earned a reputation for producing robust, reliable watches that can withstand the most extreme conditions. During the Second World War, the brand supplied watches to German Air Force pilots, becoming a benchmark in the field of pilot's watches. 

After the war, Tutima continued to produce watches for the military, but also expanded its product range to target the general public. The brand continues to produce top-quality watches of exceptional precision and reliability. 

Today, Tutima is a premium brand offering men's and ladies' watches, pilot's models, diving watches and dress watches. It has won numerous awards for its innovative designs and outstanding manufacturing quality, making it one of the most respected watch brands in Germany and worldwide.

Here are the four main Tutima models:

• Tutima Flieger This collection is inspired by the pilot's watches used by the German army during the Second World War. These watches are robust and reliable, with chronograph functions and optimal legibility;
• Tutima M2 The new DANIOR: a range of professional diving watches. They are water-resistant to 500 meters and feature chronograph, countdown and unidirectional diving bezel functions;
• Tutima Patria These elegant and sophisticated watches for men and women feature high-quality movements, chronographs and moon phases;
• Tutima Saxon One The Tutima Saxon One collection is a range of sporty watches equipped with high-quality automatic movements and chronograph functions. Saxon One models are available in various sizes and materials, including stainless steel, rose gold and titanium.

Suggested retail price for a Tutima watch

Tutima offers collections at an affordable price, given the quality of its design and components.

Tutima model	Guide price (in euros)
Flieger	From 2,000
M2	From €1,650
Patria	From €4,900
Saxon One	From 1,700

7. Mühle Glashütte: nautical and mechanical instruments since 1869

The Mühle Glashütte brand was founded in Glashütte in 1869 by Robert Mühle. It originally specialized in the production of precision instruments for the watchmaking industry, including marine chronometers and time counters. Over time, the company diversified to include wristwatches and pocket watches. 

In the early 1990s, the fourth generation of the Mühle family took over the reins of the company and refocused on the production of high-end mechanical watches for watch enthusiasts. 

Since then, Mühle Glashütte has built a solid reputation for the quality of its sports and diving watches, as well as its pilot and navigation watches. The brand is proud of its heritage of quality and innovation, and all its watches are produced in-house with particular attention to precision and detail. Movements undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they function properly, even under the most challenging conditions. 

Today, Mühle Glashütte is world-renowned for its high-quality watches, technical innovations and elegant, robust aesthetics.

Here are the four best-known Mühle Glashütte models:

• S.A.R. Rescue-Timer This is a robust, functional watch designed for lifeguards at sea. It features a chronograph, a date indicator, a seconds reset function and a unidirectional rotating bezel;
• Terrasport I Beobachter This is a classic pilot's model with a streamlined design and excellent legibility. It is equipped with a high-precision automatic movement and date function;
• ProMare Chronograph This is a professional diving watch with chronograph and unidirectional rotating bezel. It is water-resistant to 500 meters and designed to withstand the most extreme conditions;
• Teutonia II Kleine Sekunde The Teutonia II Kleine Sekunde is an elegant city watch with a small seconds hand at 6 o'clock. It is equipped with a high-quality automatic movement and is available in several finishes, including rose gold and stainless steel.

Suggested retail price for a Mühle Glashütte watch

The S.A.R. Rescue-Timer is the least expensive model, costing around 1,200 euros. The Teutonia II Kleine Sekunde is the most expensive, starting at 1,980 euros.

Mühle Glashütte model	Guide price (in euros)
S.A.R. Rescue-Timer	From 1,200
Terrasport I Beobachter	From 1,100 euros
ProMare Chronograph	From €1,600
Teutonia II Kleine Sekunde	From €1,980

8. Hanhart: the fascination of time

Hanhart is a German watch brand founded in 1882, initially specializing in the manufacture of precision chronometers for sports competitions. The brand then turned to the production of chronographs and wristwatches for German army pilots during the two world wars. 

Today, Hanhart is known for its unique, elegant designs inspired by the brand's historic models, as well as for its over one hundred years of expertise. Hanhart watches are renowned for their precision and reliability in timekeeping, as well as their resistance to shock and water. The brand still specializes in the production of high-quality chronographs for drivers and motor sports enthusiasts, and is committed to technological innovation and respect for the environment.

• Pioneer A classic pilot's watch offering exceptional legibility thanks to its large black dial and luminous hands. It is equipped with a robust and reliable automatic movement and a chronograph function to measure elapsed time;
• Primus This high-performance sports model is ideal for outdoor activities. It's shock-resistant, water-resistant to 100 meters and equipped with a chronograph and tachometer to measure elapsed time;
• Racemaster A model designed for car and motorcycle racing enthusiasts. It features a precise chronograph, tachometer and speedometer. It also offers excellent legibility thanks to its black dial contrasting with white hour markers;
• Sea-Timer This is a robust, reliable diver's watch, water-resistant to 300 meters and equipped with a chronograph for measuring dive times. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel to measure immersion times.

Approximate price for a Hanhart watch

The Pioneer is the most affordable model, starting at 770 euros.

Hanhart model	Guide price (in euros)
Pioneer	From 770
Primus	From €2,300
Racemaster	From €2,700
Sea-Timer	From 1,000 euros

9. Stowa: tradition meets innovation

Founded in 1927 in Hornberg, in the Black Forest, Stowa began production with pocket watches, before concentrating on wristwatches in the 1930s. During the Second World War, Stowa produced watches for the German military, including the "Flieger" model, a pilot's watch that has gone down in the history of world watchmaking.

After the war, Stowa continued to produce wristwatches for the civilian market, launching the famous "Antea" in the 1950s, a sleek, elegant wristwatch that has become emblematic of the brand. Today, Stowa is renowned for its high-quality wristwatches, handcrafted in Germany using top-quality Swiss movements. 

Stowa watches are renowned for their excellent value, durability, reliability, sobriety, legibility and functionality. The German watch brand Stowa offers several iconic wristwatch models, but four in particular stand out:

• Flieger A pilot's watch inspired by the iconic 1930s model. This watch is appreciated for its legibility and simple design;
• L'Antea A sleek, elegant wristwatch with a round case and slim hour markers;
• La Marine This is a popular model inspired by German marine watches of the early 20th century.^e century, with a rotating bezel and a clear, legible dial;
• Partitio A classic wristwatch with a simple, minimalist design, designed for easy everyday wear. 

These models are made with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail, with proven reliability and durability.

Approximate price of a watch 

Prices range from €660 to €950, which is a relatively affordable price range for quality watches with a high reputation.

Model Stowa	Guide price (in euros)
Flieger	From 660
L'Antea	From 790
La Marine	From 800 euros
Partitio	From 950 euros

#10 Union Glashütte : made in Glashütte since 1893

Founded in Glashütte in 1893, the German watch brand Union Glashütte enjoyed great success thanks to the quality and precision of its watches. Unfortunately, the Second World War had disastrous consequences for the company, which was nationalized by the communist authorities in East Germany. 

After German reunification in 1990, the brand was relaunched by Swatch, which invested in new technologies and recruited talented watchmakers to continue Glashütte's tradition of high-quality watchmaking. 

Today, Union Glashütte is a world-renowned luxury watch brand, with elegant, timeless design, quality Swiss movements and cutting-edge chronometric features.

Union Glashütte offers four flagship models:

• Belisar Belisar: a collection of sporty automatic watches with a chronograph function. Belisar watches are designed to withstand the toughest conditions and are often chosen by adventurers;
• Noramis Noramis: a collection of classic, elegant watches with stainless steel or rose gold cases. Noramis watches are equipped with high-quality automatic movements and are available in different sizes and styles;
• Viro Viro: a collection of women's watches with elegant, modern designs. Viro watches are available in different styles and colors, and are equipped with reliable quartz movements;
• 1893 Glashütte: a collection of vintage watches inspired by the Glashütte watchmaking tradition. The 1893 watches feature high-quality mechanical movements and elegant dials with Roman or Arabic numerals.

Suggested retail price for a Union Glashütte watch

The watches offered by the brand are relatively high-end, with starting prices ranging from 900 to 2,150 euros.

Glashütte Union model	Guide price (in euros)
Belisar	From 1,460
Noramis	From 900
Viro	From 950 euros
1893	From €2,150

How much does a luxury German watch cost?

The price of a German watch varies according to criteria such as brand, model and embellishments (leather strap, gold hands, dial with Roman or Arabic numerals, etc.). Among the brands on our list, the most expensive is A. Lange & Söhnen, with its Zeitwerk model costing around 60,576 euros. 

If you're on a tight budget, you can buy a fine German watch for no more than 700 euros. This is particularly true of the Pioneer model from Hanhart. Here's a summary table ranking the top 10 German watch brands from the most affordable to the most expensive:

Brand	Guide price (in euros)
Junghans	Less than $1,000
Stowa	Between 1,000 and 2,000
Mühle Glashütte	Between 1,000 and 4,000
Union Glashütte	Between 2,000 and 5,000
Glashütte Original	Between 3,000 and 25,000
Sinn	Between 1,000 and 5,000
NOMOS Glashütte	Between 1,000 and 10,000
Tutima	Between 2,000 and 10,000
Hanhart	Between 2,000 and 10,000
A. Lange & Söhne	Between $15,000 and $150,000

Bonus German watches: 8 special mentions

We've listed Germany's 10 most prominent luxury watch brands, but these 8 manufacturers are no slouches: 

• Moritz Grossmann Founded in 2008, Moritz Grossmann is a young luxury watch brand based in Glashütte. It stands out for its craftsmanship, passion for watchmaking tradition and elegant design;

• MeisterSinger Founded in 2001, MeisterSinger is a German watch brand specializing in single-display models. The brand stands out for its minimalist design, timeless elegance and ease of use;
• Damasko Damasko is a German brand of high-quality mechanical watches. It stands out for its innovative design, robustness and reliability;
• Chronoswiss Chronoswiss is a German luxury watch brand known for the precision and beauty of its watch movements. It is distinguished by its elegant and sophisticated design;
• Wempe Founded in 1878, Wempe is a German brand renowned for its diving watches, watches for the armed forces and watches for sailors;
• Bruno Söhnle : is a German watch brand founded in 2000 and based in Glashütte. The brand is known for its sleek, elegant design and the quality of its Swiss and German movements;
• Aristo :  created in 1907, this brand is based in Pforzheim, a city known for its expertise in watch and jewelry manufacturing. Aristo is renowned for its pilot watches, infamous for having been used by the German army during the Second World War. The brand offers a range of quality watches, featuring Swiss precision movements, as well as sophisticated models with chronographs and perpetual calendars;
• D. Dornblüth & Sohn Dirk Dornblüth: this small watch manufacturer is located in Kalbe, northern Germany. The brand was founded by Dirk Dornblüth, a passionate watchmaker who decided to set up his own company to realize his own ideas and concepts. The brand's philosophy is to produce high-quality watches with a unique design and exceptional finish. 

Disclaimer

Prices for German luxury watches are provided as a guide only. They may vary according to the seller, taxes, inflation, etc.