News • 08 Sep 2022
Celebrate the Best of German Watchmaking with Watches of Switzerland
From 19 September to 2 October, Watches of Switzerland will host the 2022 edition of German WatchFest at VivoCity East Boulevard 2, outside our Watches of Switzerland boutique. Come and see our curation of contemporary German watches and see how function and form come together as one.
A Rich Watchmaking History
Compared with their Swiss cousins, German watches can often be somewhat overlooked. The history of watchmaking in Germany dates back to the 17th Century, from the closely related clockmaking industry. Notably, in 1845, watchmaking made its way to the town of Glashütte, when a young Ferdinand Adolph Lange decided to set up his workshop and build up his business in pocket watches.
NOMOS
Based in Glashütte, NOMOS is known for its Bauhaus-inspired designs, with clean lines and adhering to the principle of form following function. Since 2014, with the introduction of their proprietary escapement, the NOMOS Swing system, NOMOS is one of the few watch brands that is truly independent in the manufacture of all movement parts.
The NOMOS Glashütte Ahoi Atlantic, with its crisp white numerals against a navy dial, is the perfect automatic watch for any kind of sport and for relaxing afterwards. The NOMOS DUW 5001 movement with the proprietary NOMOS Swing system keeps the watch in perfect time.
In bright contrast, the NOMOS Glashütte Club Campus with its deep pink dial embodies a spirit of positivity, symbolising a motivation to achieve goals and a sense of encouragement to forge new paths. With a robust, highly polished steel case and a wide bezel, the watch is water resistant up to 100m and is driven by the reliable NOMOS calibre Alpha handwound movement.
Junghans
Dating back to 1860, the brand was founded by Erhard Junghans, a clockmaker who brought the methods of industrialisation from America to Germany. By 1903, Junghans was the number one clockmaker in the world. The brand moved on to watchmaking, and was designing and producing their own watch movements by 1936, and produced the first automatic chronometer movement in 1957.
The Junghans 1972 Competition Chronograph encapsulates sports performance. The anthracite-coloured dial contrasts against the orange totaliser sub-dials and the peripheral tachymeter. This dynamic watch with its slightly elliptical shape is limited to 1972 units.
Effortlessly combining classic charm with sporty functions, the Meister Chronoscope in fir-green comes with a beige ostrich leather strap. With characteristic recessed counters, the chronograph hands are similarly beige coloured. The 40.7mm stainless steel houses the automatic caliber J880.1, visible through the exhibition case back.
Sinn
Helmut Sinn, a former pilot, began the company in the 1961 as a manufacturer of pilot chronographs and navigation clocks. Today, Sinn watches continues to retain the demanding quality while remaining accessible. The current collection embraces many technological advancements, including anti-fogging technology, a lubricant-free escapements, and hardened steel cases, just to name a few.
The Sinn 103 Ti Ar Pilot Chronograph is a prime example of how design meets function. Tapping into this aeronautical heritage, it combining the classic look of a pilot chronograph with specialised dehumidifying technology to prevent corrosion in the movement parts.
Made of German submarine steel, the Sinn U50 has a striking design that ensures legibility in the depths of the ocean. This robust watch is waterproof and pressure-tested to depths of 500m, withstanding tests based on European diving equipment standards and certified by DNV. The bezel with TEGIMENT Technology and is especially scratch-resistant.
The German WatchFest will take presence at VivoCity East Boulevard 2, outside our Watches of Switzerland VivoCity boutique, from 19 September to 2 October, and will be open daily from 11am to 8pm.