8 of the Best Bauhaus Watches That Simply Do Not Age

Watches are one of those accessories that add to your overall look while being functional at the same time. In fact, they have become a favorite accessory to many people as time passes. Even today, there are millions of people who enjoy having a collection of timepieces and flaunting them.

Any watch enthusiast worth his salt would have heard of Bauhaus-style watches. They’re simple, and elegant and come with a dash of the retro element. Bringing back the short-lived German art movement from the early 20th century to life again, these Bauhaus watches took the industry by storm. Right from classy designs to clean geometrical patterns, everything about them practically screams poise and opulence. Such is their beauty blended with a tinge of minimalism.

Bauhaus School of Design has not just motivated watchmakers, but also many other people who make mobiles, tablets, and other electric contraptions. Even Steve Jobs couldn’t be immune to the charm and elegance of this tasteful form of architecture and industrial design. Well, if you aren’t intrigued by it yet, then stay with us as we make a list of the thirteen best Bauhaus-inspired watches that you can get your hands on today.

Best Bauhaus Watches | Bauhaus Style

Whether you’re seeking a classic dress watch or a modern chronograph, you can find the perfect Bauhaus watch for you. Here’s the list of the 8 best Bauhaus watches.

1. Naos Automatik – Best for Quality and Affordability

Powered by the ever-reliable Japanese MIYOTA automatic mechanism, the Naos Automatik Black is the new automatic successor of its classic Naos Black line. 

True watch-lovers who feel an adrenaline rush when they observe the mechanical movement of a watch will appreciate the Sapphire crystal glass back design of this one. You can gaze at its mesmerizing beauty and envision the hard work behind its making. 

While most users love the calf leather black straps against the 316L stainless silver frame, you have the option to change its straps within seconds. The anti-reflective glass front is not only a stunner but also allows you to view the watch’s face in bright light conditions. 

With up to 5 ATM water resistance, you don’t need to worry about sweat and water damaging this gorgeous piece of art on your wrist. The brand has always prided itself in designing some of the most timeless watches that look classy and affordable, so everyone can enjoy one of their pieces. 

2. Junghans Max Bill – Best for Max Bill Enthusiasts

What’s so unique about Junghans is that a majority of their timepieces are created by Max Bill, who’s known to be one of Bauhaus’s protégés. Not only that, but he also founded Ulm’s School of Design as Bauhaus’s successor.

One of the best collections that gained wide popularity for Max Bill – Junghans is their latest Max Bill collection. It is raved about by the watch enthusiasts for being a proper continuation of their signature robin’s egg blue, a teardrop-shaped kitchen wall clock that was designed in the 1950s.

The collection is characterized by a dome-shaped dial, a thin bezel, and a crystal that you might have noticed in Max Bill’s previous designs. But he sure did take some liberty with making some improvements like adding a lume to the dial. The watch comes with two dial options – black and white. It comes in a stainless steel case and has a water resistance of 5 ATM. But other than that, there are not a lot of new things to look out for.

3. Hamburg Automatik Silver – Best for Sophisticated Design

Named the Hamburg Automatik, this watch is designed keeping the north German port city in mind and reflects the world of seafaring that Hamburg is associated with. The case size of the watch is 42mm, which makes it perfect for everyday use. Once worn, it adds to the practicality, style, and precision that is valued by all men. 

Now, if you look closely, the watch features a 3-hand movement and an intricate design. You will also find a graphite or silver satin-finished dial which curves smoothly around the edges. Needless to say, it will give you an effortless yet sophisticated look. 

Moreover, the sapphire crystal glass on top is scratch-proof and is known to be very durable. It is 5 ATM waterproof and can withstand spills and splashes. 

4. Ruhla 91234M

Ruhla has been in the watchmaking race for quite a long – even before the entire occupation of Russia. They also made watches and clocks for the Soviet Union after which they got into manufacturing a wide range of timepieces from aviation clocks to wristwatches. These were sold within the country and were sent abroad before the company became obsolete.

The brand is now revived and is back to manufacturing watches again. Their 91234M is an excellent choice if you want to go for a Bauhaus-inspired watch that doesn’t quite burn a hole in your pocket. The timepiece also comes with an additional sub-second hand which is quite a surprise.

91234M has a diameter of 42mm and comes in a case that’s made of stainless steel. The watch has 5 ATM resistance and is powered by a Swiss technology quartz movement.  Not to forget the domed crystal and a couple of choices for the dial, which makes it an interesting design to consider.

5. Zeno 3767Q 

The Swiss watchmakers have also followed the Germans and created Bauhaus-inspired timepieces. It was only a matter of time before Zeno, a 19th-century watch manufacturer got back to the market after a much-needed refurbishing.

Zeno 3767Q is quite an affordable option, given its robust features, which include a stainless steel case, Swiss quartz movement, a 40mm dial, and can resist water up to 3 ATM. Sure it is a little large, but it perfectly suits the preferences of contemporary watch enthusiasts.

6. Braun BN0021

Arguably the cheapest option in today’s list, Braun’s BN0021 serves as an alternative to all those Bauhaus-inspired watches that cost you a bomb. You might have been familiar with Braun being a manufacturer of electric shavers and household appliances. But they have been trying to make a name for themselves even in the watchmaking space.

BN0021 comes with a simple 38mm black dial which has numbers 1 to 12 engraved in plain old fashion. The designers used yellow for the second hand to give it pleasing aesthetics without drawing too much attention. The watch makes use of Quartz movement, comes in a steel case, and can handle water up to 5 ATM.

7. Kent Wang Bauhaus Watch

Like Uniform Wares, even Kent Wang’s watches come with no branding or logos on their dial. Just a simple design inspired by the Bauhaus style. It comes with a black dial with white lines or vice versa and is 42mm in size. There’s also a date window along with blue-steeled hands to give it an attractive look. The watch also features a sapphire crystal and has an automatic movement inspired by the Chinese BWAF technology.

8. Braun BN0211

The BN0211 by Braun is one of the earliest models designed by home appliance manufacturers when they dabbled in the watchmaking space. The designers of the watch take pride in its minimalist white dial with an upbeat yellow-colored second hand. This gives the whole watch a quirky overall look and inevitably reminds you of Braun’s signature AW10 timepiece and their older hallmark wall clocks.

Best Bauhaus Watches Comparison Table

Best Bauhaus Brand Watches

1. Stowa

Walter Storz founded Stowa in the year 1927 in Hornberg, Black Forest. The brand launched its first Bauhaus in the year 1937 which is considered to be one of the milestones in German chronometry.

Some of the earliest Bauhaus designs from Stowa were the robust gold Rectangular Bauhaus designs with Roman numerals and the Arabic ones that are coveted and rare, precious collectors’ models.

It wasn’t until the year 2000 that Stowa grandly turned towards contemporary layouts, redesigning the traditional, existing patterns with a subtly modern approach regarding size, shape, and versions.

The stunningly unique Antea line from Stowa essentially takes inspiration from numerous traditional models from the brand, that were partially set in real gold in varying shapes of squares and rounds. This was way back in the mid-thirties when Stowa had just started to make its legendary Bauhaus designs.

These designs were greatly inspired by the Lange watch models that were released in the same year as the Stowa Bauhaus ones.

The dials of these Lange watches were manufactured in Pforzheim by Weber & Baral, who were the largest dial manufacturers in the world.

This was one of the major influences for the Stowa Bauhaus watches which turned towards Weber & Baral for its dials as well.

Jorg Schauer reissued the original 1937 watch from the brand in the year 2004 and manufactured the first Antea Classic that had straight-edged designs and different case sizes. These came with a manual wind or automatic movement.

The signature aspects of this collection were the silver-plated dial, the polished stainless steel case, and the thermal-treated blue-steel watch hands.

Finally, in the year 2015, Jorg Schauer collaborated with the globally renowned designer Hartmut Esslinger to redesign the Antea that we recognize today. It is essentially a fusion of the essence of the traditional, authentic Bauhaus in its layout with the modern elements of superior chronometry. This is what makes it unique and one of the best Bauhaus designs the world has ever seen!

2. Nomos

Nomos Glashutte is one brand that’s almost considered synonymous to the definition of The Bauhaus school of art created by Walter Gropius in Weimar. It was founded in January in the year 1990 by Roland Schwertner, just two months after the great fall of the Berlin Wall.

The original Bauhaus designs for their collection were provided by Susanne Gunther who took inspiration from the Bauhaus purist style that produced absolutely authentic, stunning Bauhaus designs for the brand.

Nomos designs are essentially known for their clean layouts that are accentuated by a free play of modern minimalist elements.

Nomos Glashutte remains to be a member of the Deutscher Werkbund. It is a German association that is a predecessor of the Bauhaus movement, which emphasizes the importance of functional Bauhaus design in its approach to industrial production.

Taking the heritage and history of the brand into account, one can say that no discourse regarding the Bauhaus style of watch-making can ever be complete without the mention of Nomos Glashutte. This brand has undeniably played a leading role in the revival of the classic Bauhaus in the industry.

The brand gained global recognition for its sleek, minimalist looks which were especially witnessed in the ethereally beautiful “Tangente” line from Nomos.

The patented features of this range include a three-case- “tripartite” stainless steel, measuring a standard 35mm in diameter with a 6.2mm thickness that’s perfect for every size. The silver-plated, galvanized dial is further set with a sterling sapphire crystal casing and the stunning temperature-treated blue hands dazzle when they catch the light at certain angles.

This is the most loved and celebrated model from the brand. And on its 100th anniversary, Glashutte launched a limited issue of “Tangente Special Edition,” honoring and paying homage to the tradition of Bauhaus. These 9 versions of the watch are available in three sizes ranging from 33mm to 38mm which is limited to the representative number of 100 pieces each.  

3. Sternglass

At 21, Dustin Fontaine decided to start his own watch company which was established in 2016 taking all of his time, hard work, and resources as its foundation.

The first model was an exceptionally crafted Bauhaus with clean lines, straight-edged, minimalist designs, and features. But, after a point of time, reports of the glass splintering came up. The company then decided to switch to sapphire glass which was unmatched in durability, quality, and hardness. All the Quartz models have classic Swiss movements manufactured by Ronda.

The company launched its first automatic Sternglass watch in January 2022, which was a major success in every way.

The entire range of the Sternglass watches was launched and showcased in October 2022. This consists of the following models:

Junis 34 Quartz. This has a case diameter of 34mm and is a smaller version of the 38mm. This makes it a stunning watch for feminine wrists.

Junis 38 Quartz. This one’s a classic Bauhaus of standard dimensions that works with a case diameter of 38mm, making it a perfect Sternglass watch for either gender.

Zirkel Automatic. The Zerkel is a unique Bauhaus from the brand that has been specially designed by focusing only on the barest essentials that accentuate superbly, fine-tuned details. The 40mm dial is perfect for any wrist type.

Topograph Automatic. This one’s a stunning 42mm diameter watch that exudes a dynamic, masculine appeal accentuating the functional precision of the model.

Naos Quartz. The Naos Quartz is one of the most celebrated Bauhaus designs from the brand that has a “subtle” diameter measuring 38mm enhancing the beauty of a brilliantly domed sapphire glass!

Naos Automatik. The more recently launched Naos Automatik model from Sternglass is a spectacular yet essentially simplistic Bauhaus design from Sternglass that has a “star-shaped arrangement” of its indices. This is hands down one of the most beautiful models from the brand that has honored the classical Bauhaus layout in spirit and its structure in every way!

Keeping everything in perspective, it could be well concluded that Sternglass has contributed significantly to modern Bauhaus designs by becoming a successful producer of affordable and highly durable brands for Bauhaus watches.

4. Braun

Braun’s designs have always been essentially Bauhaus in form and structure. Be it for the minimalist designs of the radios that were launched in the 1930s to the globally famous electric epilators that are being used since 1950.

However, it wasn’t until 1977 that under the administration of Dieter Rams, Braun launched its first wristwatch line ever. By this time Rams had already set out on creating a layout that follows a critical Bauhaus pattern on a steady set of guiding principles. He envisioned that which reflects the Bauhaus ethos, with an angle of sustainability fused with it.

With such a mindset and aim, the brand has created some of the most eclectic Bauhaus designs of the modern age that pays the utmost respect to the traditional layouts of Walter Gropius, the founder of The Bauhaus School of Art and the originator of the term itself.

The head designer of Braun had once remarked, “Simplicity is the key to excellence.” The brand has since then striven to uphold the value of this thought by ensuring nothing short of perfection in Bauhaus designs, strictly following the Bauhaus code in the making of each of its chronometers.

The watches from its collection specifically feature the three-hand calendar quartz movement and a polished stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter.

The lightweight design doesn’t bear down upon your wrist, while, at the same time, the highly durable mineral crystal dial makes it entirely chip-resistant.

Some of the materials for the watches even offer variants like those of mesh and ceramic, making the collection even more unique and exciting than most other models from other brands.

It could be, thus, said that Braun had significantly contributed to the Bauhaus movement by creating this glamorous collection of beautiful and, most importantly, affordable watches that appeal to a broader mass.

What are Bauhaus watches?

Bauhaus watches are timepieces inspired by the minimalist, functional design principles of the Bauhaus school, which emerged in Germany in the early 20th century. These watches typically feature clean, simple designs, with an emphasis on functionality and readability.

What are the best Bauhaus watches?

There are several great Bauhaus watches on the market, including the Junghans Max Bill, Nomos Tangente, and Laco Augsburg. Ultimately, the “best” Bauhaus watch will depend on your personal preferences and needs.

What is the Junghans Max Bill watch?

The Junghans Max Bill watch is a classic Bauhaus timepiece, named after the famous Swiss artist and designer who created it. It features a clean, minimalist design with domed acrylic glass, Arabic numerals, and a manual winding movement.

What is the Nomos Tangente watch?

The Nomos Tangente watch is a popular Bauhaus-inspired timepiece known for its sleek, minimalist design and high-quality craftsmanship. It features a manual-winding movement, sapphire crystal, and stainless steel case.

What is the Laco Augsburg watch?

The Laco Augsburg watch is a stylish and affordable Bauhaus-inspired timepiece, featuring a simple design with Arabic numerals, a sapphire crystal, and a stainless steel case. It is also available with an automatic or quartz movement.

How do I choose the best Bauhaus watch for me?

When choosing a Bauhaus watch, consider factors such as your budget, preferred style and design, movement type, case size, material, and any additional features or functions you may need.

Are Bauhaus watches expensive?

Bauhaus watches can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on factors such as the brand, materials, and movement type. However, there are also many affordable options available for those on a tighter budget.

What are the benefits of owning a Bauhaus watch?

Bauhaus watches are prized for their clean, minimalist designs and emphasis on functionality and readability. They are also known for their high-quality craftsmanship and durability, making them a great investment for anyone looking for a stylish and reliable timepiece.

Conclusion

After thoroughly examining the range of Bauhaus watches available, we can confidently commend the artistry and precision that’s gone into each timepiece. Bauhaus watches, known for their timeless designs and minimalistic features, successfully blend form and function effortlessly, making them increasingly popular among watch enthusiasts. Out of these 8 Bauhaus Watches, here are the top three expert recommendations.

Firstly, the Naos Automatik is an ideal option for those seeking a beautiful, affordable, and reliable watch. With its Japanese MIYOTA automatic mechanism, Sapphire crystal glass back, calf leather straps, and anti-reflective front, this watch has it all. Its 5 ATM water resistance and 2-year warranty make it even more appealing.

Next, the Junghans Max Bill is a good option for those who appreciate the design prowess of Max Bill himself. The clean typography, domed dial, and thin bezel are accents that set this watch apart from the rest. The watch is available in both black and white dial options, providing variety for different tastes.

Lastly, the Hamburg Automatik Silver is the right choice for individuals who appreciate intricate design, a satin-finished dial, and sleek functionality. Boasting a 42mm case and 5 ATM water resistance, this piece offers style, practicality, and precision. The only drawback is the smaller font on the numbering, which may be a matter of personal preference.

Regardless of which option appeals to you most, Bauhaus watches continue to make a statement in the watchmaking world through their stunning designs and impeccable craftsmanship. These top-three expert recommendations are all excellent choices that combine form, function, and elegance.

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