Manufacture
small-luxury-world explores the landscape of German watchmaking, questioning its independence from Swiss influence despite the strong Swiss Franc. This article delves into whether German brands can truly stand as alternatives, examining their reliance on Swiss components and machinery while highlighting innovative domestic projects. The author introduces several key players and initiatives that showcase Germany's unique contributions to haute horlogerie.
Two of the well-known player´s belong to Richemont in the case of A. Lange & Söhne and to the Swatch Group in the case of Glashütte Original. Also there is Montblanc which belongs to Richemont as well and is based in Hamburg (Germany), but produces their watches in Switzerland.
Quite a few, to say the least, parts come (still!?) from Switzerland. No matter which German brand we are talking about, quite often they get parts (cases, dials, movements …) from Switzerland. Not to speak about machines like e.g. CNC machines (today a must even for smaller watch companies - more or less) which are coming quite often from Switzerland as well.
Nonetheless there are some interesting activities/projects going on, in Germany and I will try to introduce a few of them - briefly. There is (best to my knowledge) one very important producer of CNC machines and he delivers to at least one brand of each of the big watch groups, some very well-known independent companies and yes most of them are based in Switzerland. The name of the company is Lehmann and later we will see they can do even more than machines.
Let´s have a look on a few examples from Germany …
in every single sense of the word and this even, includes their own Swing System since last year. A little bird told me they also use Lehmann machines from Germany. (Nomos; Swing System) A few watch examples from Nomos and most if not all will have the new parts inside – at least in the long run. Ahoi Atlantik Tangente Power Reserve Metro For some people (even in the industry and from Switzerland) Nomos offers one of the best values for money, today.
I always had a soft spot for Nomos and especially the World timer. I didn't know about the origin of their parts supply.
quite a few changes in the right direction. I would say, they did their howework very well and I am looking forward to the next steps.
Love the Bauhaus design. Good looking watch!
but today it is even more. Bauhaus "2.0" design and in-house abilities on top.
In a former post I and Magnus already talked about UWD and it is impressive what they are already able to do today and what they have in mind for the future. The last time we have visited them, we saw prototypes and finishing like this … Just one (movement) example for now, but still I think it is very promising and I liked a lot what I saw and heard about future projects. Parts made (in-house) in Saxony… Their machines are mainly from Switzerland, but the skills needed and the craftsmanship is
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