Watch kraft: Germany's watch industry is finding its feet after a long hiatus

By the start of the 20th century Germany was making millions of clocks and watches, making it one of the biggest producers in the world. But with the minor inconvenience of two world wars, the Germans saw their watch industry crumble. The Swiss meanwhile went from strength to strength, helped of course by staying neutral and making watches for both sides.

Germany’s postwar economic miracle is well known, but the watch industry was largely left out. Recently though, German watchmakers have started carving out a little niche for themselves. Many small independents are springing up around Germany. And while most of them still need to lean heavily on the Swiss for parts, many are starting to do a lot more by themselves.

Kudoke is a good example. Founded by master watchmaker Stefan Kudoke, it started off small in the early 2000s, making hand engraved, skeletonised art watches. By 2018, it had levelled up to the point where it could start making its own movements.

These watches are not cheap, but good German independents are not only found at the posh end of the market. Sternglass has watches for under £200 and its designs adhere to the ‘form follows function’ principles of the Bauhaus school. So if you like the BMW E30 and other Bauhaus influenced cars, this could be the one for you.

Pro tip

The Bauhaus was a German design school credited with influencing everything from watches, cars, flat roofs and office chairs to the fonts on your laptop. It opened up in 1919 and ruffled feathers from the start, leading it to be shut down by the Nazis in 1933. Cue the teachers moving abroad, spreading minimalism worldwide.