Affordable German Watch Brands | Part 2

Hello Fellows,

my list of affordable German watches goes into the next round.
If you want to see my first listing, you can find it here:
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Uhrologe/posts/affordable-german-watch-brands-22430

In my first list, I chose brands that mostly had a rich history and mostly produce their watches in Germany.
I presented brands that already offer wristwatches under 300 euros.

Again, there are some traditional brands that start under 100 euros, but are still "Made in Germany".
But there are also brands that have a part of the value chain abroad. But I will describe that in more detail in the individual brand presentations. Don't worry: There are no Private-Label watches like MVMT :-) .

There will be brands that specialize in Homage models, but also very creative brands that have created unique Models by themselves.

There will be some old brands, but also some "new kids on the block".  However, only brands that have firmly established themselves in the wristwatch world over the past few years.  So no one hit wonders or kick starters.  This will now be a series in which I will introduce German watch brands in ascending price ranges.

Since Germany is the second largest watch nation in Europe after Switzerland, there are many brands. So I can not count everyone. I list only those who are worth to be mentioned which I would also recommend to friends (which you are).

It will be exciting and interesting.

Gigandet

Gigandet (sounds like Shi-Shan-Déé ;-) ) was already registered as a trademark in Switzerland shortly after the Second World War.  They mainly exported watches to the USA.  With the quartz crisis, the company disappeared again in the 70s.
Now the brand name has been brought back to life in Germany.  Gigandet has recently become known primarily for its Rolex tributes and has often been compared to Steinhart.  However, their range of products is very wide.  They offer various models and designs in quartz and automatic and some start from as little as 60 euros.  It's worth a look.

Aristo

Aristo is located in one of the most important watch and jewelry centers in Germany.  Pforzheim.  In my last article but also in the future you will read more often about Brands from Pforzheim.
Pforzheim is an historical important location for industrial watch production.  Important supplier companies along the entire value chain are located there.
The Aristo company has existed since 1907 and mostly offers classic German pilot's watches.
They also produce smaller brands like Messerschmitt or Erbprinz.  The prices at Aristo already start at 90 euros.  In German watch forums, the watches are described as being of solid quality.
However, there is one downside: their website.  It is still at the level of the 1990s and very confusing.  But you can find the watches on Amazon (at least here on Amazon Germany).  That's a lot easier.

Kronsegler

Kronsegler was founded in 2004 and has locations in Glashütte and Dresden. Here the prices start from 190 euros.
Even it's a quite young brand but owns yet a world wide fan base.
This brand is one of the most interesting and exciting of this selection because of the very unusual and exciting themes they live out in their watches.
It is often about astronomy, mathematics, seafaring, religion, music composers, poets, etc. Quartz movements, solar and mechanical movements are offered for every budget.

For example:

Zentaur
Which uses the zodiac calendar as a sub dial fir their calendar complication.

Apollo11
Which is supposed to show the view from space on the moon, the Colombia space shuttle and the earth with its dial.  The earth, as a 24-hour display, rotates once a day on its own axis, while the space shuttle, as a minute display, rotates every sixty seconds.

Terra Solar
This chronograph also has a disk of the solar system, which rotates on its own axis every 24 hours and shows the changing position of the sun.
This watch is powered by a Seiko solar movement.

German composers
Richard Strauss
In the "German Composers" model series, the notes of the famous songs are decorated on the seconds scales.
With the Richard Strauss model, it is the opera "Der Rosenkavalier". There is a wonderful view of the movement and that for only 425 euros

These are just a few examples.  The models are worth looking at and fun to see.  Unfortunately, their website is also confusing.  If you go directly to "Shop", not all watch models are displayed.  So you should go directly to "watches" and filter by quartz or automatic.  However, the solar model is not specified and you can only find it under "Shop".
But anyway check their timepieces.

Sternglas

I was initially unsure about Sternglas because some part of their value chain takes place in Asia.  However, after I took a closer look at the young company from Hamburg, I was positively surprised and convinced by their transparency, professionalism and seriousness in their ideology.
Sternglas is the first watch manufacturer to present its value chain openly and transparently.  From their movements, to their bracelets, the production, to the packaging.
Their suppliers in China are certified by the German TÜV Süd (Technical Review Association for productiom standards) and the social certification system SA8000 for good working conditions, compliance with employee rights and fair wages. So no dirty Shenzhen backyard slave factories.
Part of their assembly takes place in the german Hunsrück region, which I found very interesting, since I only know one manufacturer there, it can only be the traditional DUGENA company, which I already described in the first part. So you can be sure, this watches are good manufactured.
Nevertheless, they manage to offer wristwatches from just 199 euros.
I find that very impressive.
Their product range is also tidy and not overloaded.
The design of their watches clean and clear.

Elysee

The Elysee brand name can be confusing.  Thinking of the famous shopping street in Paris.  Elysee is a watch brand based in Düsseldorf and belongs to the Elysee Group.  The Elysee Group includes some fashion watch brands and the European distribution of Ingersoll watches (the distribution for America belongs to the Timex Group).
With their own Elysee brand, watches are usually offered that look similar to fashion watches and Romex homages.  However, there are also some attractive models.  They offer quartz and automatic.  Prices start from 250 euros.

Steinhart

In 2001, Günther Steinhart turned his hobby into his profession.  In the meantime, Steinhart has risen to become one of the most respected homage wristwatch manufacturers in the world.  Even if most watches correspond to the Rolex design, they have managed to offer this design to a wide range of watch enthusiasts in high quality at reasonable prices without having to produce in Asia.  I have never met anyone who regretted buying a Steinhart.  Although the dial says "Swiss Made", the company is based in Augsburg, Bavaria.  Their models start at 420 euros.

Marc & Sons

Founded 2007 in Altdorf by Marco Heimrich Marc & Sons became a well established brand within the Watch Enthusiasts. Their designs are creative and offerering great specs for reasonable prices starting from 370 Euro. Definatly check their website.

I hope I could help you to find your own timepiece. In my next part I will go little up in the price range with awesome timepieces. So stay tuned.