KIH[Purist]
12044
As one of German Watch fans....
Feb 24, 2015,06:43 AM
... this is a superb comprehensive report, my friend!
Deep and long history, to say the least, makes today's German watches. Stubbornly hand-finishing and persistence to the accuracy/ reliability deserve applaud, while Japanese watches are not so bad, either (yes, I am biased
).
Thanks, Oliver!
Ken
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Nomos, which is proud to be able to offer true manufacture products …
By: small-luxury-world : February 23rd, 2015-09:32
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 ne...
Agree with your last statement Oliver
By: Mark in Paris : February 23rd, 2015-14:29
I always had a soft spot for Nomos and especially the World timer. I didn't know about the origin of their parts supply.
UWD (Uhren Werke Dresden)
By: small-luxury-world : February 23rd, 2015-09:36
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 (movemen...
Leinfelder – a jeweler from Munich …
By: small-luxury-world : February 23rd, 2015-09:59
which offers also watches for quite some time. Now they are/will be (not sure about the latest developments) the first ones with a movement from UWD and a case by Leinfelder made in Munich. So far I haven´t seen a final product for the market, but this mi...
Lehmann – yes again and this time with some interesting watches.
By: small-luxury-world : February 23rd, 2015-10:08
Those show some unique design details and technical features. From what I heard, Vianney Halter helped them to develop their own movement(s). On the other side they (CNC Lehmann) helped well-known Swiss brands to develop some of their latest (highly chall...
Not only Vianney
By: amerix : February 24th, 2015-07:12
The protected crown, that can be recessed into the case, was developed with Andreas Strehler.
Yes, I think so!
By: amerix : March 1st, 2015-13:38
After a few minutes, an hour or two - or even a day - it could easily become a part of my everyday collection - the ones that are actually worn and are designed to be worn. The tolerances are breathtaking! Let's hope that the timekeeping surpasses the dis...
Crown, rotor and the lugs...
By: Ornatus-Mundi : February 24th, 2015-12:28
all full of fascinating details which indicate that here a new player entered the stage bringing in fresh thinking - one who did not use the red carpet, but took a postern... All of the features are even more intriguing if one talks more about the backgro...
When it comes to developers, supporters ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-02:55
... for (big) brands and their projects, there is more going on as we get told most of the time. It this new? No. One person was starting together with the brand to work on a project and another person helped to make it happen - for several reasons. One p...
Last but not least I would like to talk about Lang & Heyne from Dresden, …
By: small-luxury-world : February 23rd, 2015-10:27
which is kind of outstanding (at least) for Germany. Marco Lang is an AHCI member since 2005. Marco Lang and his small team produce less than 50 watches per year. There are only a very few parts needed from suppliers. Those parts are finished with an almo...
Interesting read, Oliver!
By: blomman Mr Blue : February 23rd, 2015-11:33
Thank you for this report. What made you change your mind on this brand? Deeper/clearer understanding of the philosophy of the brand? Better watches? Watches more in your taste...? Best Blomman
"What made you change your mind on this brand?" This is a good question ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-01:41
and maybe there is only one short answer: I was an idiot :-) By the way, it was the same with Greubel Forsey in the past. More seriously, I was distracted by L&H´s "baroque" design and didn´t expect the outstanding attention to details and features. F...
Thank you for the explanation, Oliver!
By: blomman Mr Blue : February 25th, 2015-11:47
I think we all do this mistake from time to time - if we don't like at first glance we move on... I know several brands I didn't pay attention to until second, third, fifth time I looked... And some I know I would love, but time is not enough for me to ta...
Made in Germany – Fine watchmaking from Germany: Can we say ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 23rd, 2015-10:28
... almost each price range and taste could be covered – more or less? I guess not, but that is only me and my point of view here. My intention was not to list each German brand in the watch business and their current activities, but still I wanted to sho...
Some of them is ...
By: blomman Mr Blue : February 25th, 2015-11:52
Really not my type of watch, some looks very interesting. My favorite of the once you show here is this one: But even if I don't like all of them from a design perspective, technically very impressed of what I see! Best Blomman ...
Thanks a lot for the German overview
By: Mark in Paris : February 23rd, 2015-14:41
That's why I keep being interested in indies as there is always something new & interesting to discover. I think my favorite would be the King Johan or Frederich II from L&H. Cheers, Mark
My pleasure, Mark. When it comes "simple" watches from L&H ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-01:13
I (also) like a lot the King Johann and the Friedrich III (instead of II), especiall because of the dials and the hands. If we talk about the movement, I prefer the Friedrich III because of the caliber VI . Nothing is wring with caliber I , but I prefer t...
Excellent post my friend
By: Ares501 - Mr Green : February 23rd, 2015-13:31
Indeed reach offer from Germany for watch aficionados and you didn't even mention non of many AHCI members from your country Sincerely Damjan
Damjan, thanks for your reply and yes of course ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-01:18
there are much more brands and offerings. Not all get my attention and for now I have chosen only those with current pictures on my hard disk ... :-) Cordially, Oliver
It takes a lot to make my jaw drop
By: Ophiuchus : February 23rd, 2015-17:16
But you did it. I had wondered about L&H for some time now, didn't know the details behind them. All I knew is whenever I saw their finish- my jaw dropped. Their work reminds of the finish of 19th C. pocketwatches, in a teutonic style, with a bit of L...
Ophiuchus, thanks a lot for your kind reply!
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-01:06
L&H and the current projects at UWD are more than interesting, especially for connoisseurs (even those without unlimited funds). Cordially, Oliver
Dear Oliver....
By: ik2000 : February 23rd, 2015-19:15
In this age of instagram, and other 'watch as a lifestyle' type of posts all over the Internet and social media, posts like this is why we all keep coming back here.... Superb work in bringing all of the details to us. I have mixed feelings regarding incr...
As one of German Watch fans....
By: KIH : February 24th, 2015-06:43
... this is a superb comprehensive report, my friend! Deep and long history, to say the least, makes today's German watches. Stubbornly hand-finishing and persistence to the accuracy/ reliability deserve applaud, while Japanese watches are not so bad, eit...
I know this was not supposed to be exhaustive
By: KMII : February 24th, 2015-07:54
But came across another Dresden based German watch maker recently that also does the lion's share of work in house, namely Rolf Lang. Currently around 85% of all parts are manufactured in house, with efforts to increase this further under way. Fairly unde...
Rolf Lang, is a brilliant watchmaker
By: Tim Jackson : February 24th, 2015-10:32
He initially schooled his son Marco, from L&H, and was responsible for early on training down in Glashutte at ALS. More recently he was looking after the collection of mathematic and physics museum in Dresden, and was also involved in the design and c...
The watchmaking appears to be wonderful...
By: Ornatus-Mundi : February 24th, 2015-12:19
my only concern is about the design, which I find rather uninspiring, and lacking an aesthetic connection to the movement on the back (the same, btw, I think holds true to Moritz Grossmann watches). I would have loved a more original outer conception, ful...
I have to agree with Magnus ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-00:34
my expectations (on one or several levels) are not met - unique selling points and or appropriate design. Oliver
Having seen them last year in Basel
By: Tim Jackson : February 25th, 2015-16:06
Magnus, I would say i'd have to agree on the dial design, it isn't the most inspiring, but as you say it can be the Saxony way. Cheers, Tim
Technical brilliance is not everything ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-00:37
at least not in my book. When I saw their booth in Basel last year, I was keen on getting more information - until I came closer :-( Something is missing, from my point of view. Cheers, Oliver
Fair point...
By: Tim Jackson : February 25th, 2015-16:14
Which goes to my point about those Independent Watchmakers, who do a great job of both aspects of a mechanical watch. Most compelling it is when the insides are lovely as well the exterior. Not easy to do, and typically done by very different types of peo...
This is a great report, Oliver.
By: TheMadDruid : February 24th, 2015-13:36
I love Lange; and Nomos. Of course I was aware of several other brands. But you have unearthed quite a few I had no idea existed; and they truly appear to be alternatives to the Swiss companies. Thanks!
Most of the best German watches are in one town
By: MTF : February 25th, 2015-01:36
Oliver, Really, one could get the "best" 5 or 6 German brands just staying in Glashütte and not having to do that winding drive outside. Not even to Dresden. The range available in the "glass & silver" town covers all price points from Moritz Grossman...
MTF, thanks for joining the discussion and I agree ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-01:53
there is something special going on in Glashütte/i.Sa. Still I don´t like each brand or all the projects. It is a matter of taste and approach that doesn´t work for me . BUT fine watchmaking in Germany is not only limited to Glashütte and not even to Saxo...
I'm getting lazy with age
By: MTF : February 25th, 2015-02:02
In the past, I was full of energy seeking to collect one watch from each "good" brand. It was impossible but a naive tyro could only hope. Now, I like to make one trip to one town and "do watchmaking" ;) I have to admit that Glashütte is really 'dead' aft...
"getting lazy" is a bad habbit ...
By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2015-02:09
and you should work on it :-) But don´t blame me if you gett addicted afterwards ;-) R&D guys should walk around and I am always happy to see something like this, because it shows serious interest/passion for the topic. To me it is positive and nothin...
Eye opener, interesting and perfect timing after I got my GO...
By: Clueless_Collector : February 26th, 2015-16:19
PanoInverse. I feel GO has very good quality/price ratio and is getting my attention going forward...I cannot afford A Lange & Sohne for now but I like Nomos simple design and the L&H movement. It is good to know so many alternatives. I'm always b...