Our crafts. Watch Maker
Watch Maker.
In our studio, every single watch shows the thoroughly trained skills of our dedicated watch makers, who have gained their knowledge over decades. Utmost concentration and a steady hand is needed while working with meticulous precision on a complex mechanical clockwork or placing valuable blued steel-clock-hands. Many of the smallest parts they are working with can only be seen under a magnifying glass. Therefore, STOWA's watch makers form the backbone of the in-house watch production and of our worldwide renowned service.




Our Crafts. Goldsmith.
Goldsmith.
With their manual skills, our goldsmiths take care of the high-quality surfaces of watch cases, clasps as well as reconditioning within the scope of services and repairs. A sense for perfect surfaces as well as the usage of the right tools and abrasives is crucial. Traditional goldsmith's work complements our aspirations to achieve not only the best technical but also visual as well as haptic experience in regard to your personally selected watch.




Our Crafts. Engraver.
Engraver.
So far, ornamental embellishments were a typical job of traditional engravers. STOWA upgraded the engraver's field of action, today the main task is making your watch unique by individualization. For this, we use latest technology. Our engravers work according to your wish and often accomplish what seemed not to be possible at first.




We make a unique piece for you!
Every STOWA watch can be individualized by engraving. As a gift, for lasting memories and special occasions − an important date, a name or a dedication. Our online engravings configurator may help you to be almost infinitely creative.
The STOWA Design.
Inspiration & Realization.
Jörg Schauer from STOWA and Hartmut Esslinger − designer and founder of frog design as well as watch collector himself − work together to merge the classical STOWA designs of today with tomorrow: inventive, of high quality and aesthetics, according to Esslinger's maxim form follows emotion. The design of the Antea back to bauhaus is a new interpretation of historic shapes and architectural rana as well as bionic, computerdesigned DIN Flieger prove, that STOWA is not heading towards the retro trap.

Strategic Design.
Design ist not art, but should enthuse people over a product and make them joyful about using it. What design and art do have in common is visual creativity. The Bauhaus movement for example was not about an artistically glorified lifestyle but rather techcultural avant garde. Design should combine dreams and wishes of watch enthusiasts with STOWA's expertise and visions. That's why STOWA relies on first-hand communication between the creators: from concept to prototypes, from actual watches to online sale and from there on to STOWA's customers, many of them long-term collectors.
Our Design Process.
Genuine design is based on innovative thinking in regard to symbolism, technology and first and foremost interaction with and between people. Hartmut Esslinger worked with companies like Sony, Apple, Microsoft, SAP, Disney, Louis Vuitton and Lufthansa, helping them to be successful on a cultural as well as economical level. Jörg Schauer and Hartmut Esslinger work together hand in glove: new geometrical designs, which have not been manually possible before, are now enabled by mathematical computer formulas, involving new methods in production like metal sintering and 3D printing. However, building mechanical premium quality watches as an expression for individual taste is paramount after all.

Our History.
Founding & Beginnings.
1927 to 1948
In 1927, STOWA is founded in Hornberg, Black Forest by Walter Storz. The company name STOWA is composed out of the initial letters of the founder. 8 years later, in 1935, STOWA transfers to Pforzheim. In 1938, the company moves to its newly constructed building at Bismarckstraße 54. That year, STOWA also presents some Bauhaus watches, nowadays known as the Antea series. The Marine Beobachtungsuhr (observation watch) as well as the large Flieger (pilot watch) with a diameter of 55 mm are produced in 1939 for the first time. Both watch models could be purchased in different versions at the STOWA online store. On 23rd February 1945, the company building at Bismarckstraße is destroyed during the bombing of Pforzheim. That same year, STOWA watch production is relocated to Rheinfelden.
Wirtschaftswunder & Postmodernism.
1948 to 1995
In 1951, a new STOWA factory is built in Rheinfelden, it is expanded both in 1954 and in 1966. At the same time, the building in Pforzheim is reconstructed. In 1954, the RUFA (Rheinfelder Uhrteilefabrik) is founded, producing shock protections for PUW and Durowe movements. Werner Storz, son of the company's founder, joins STOWA in 1960. His main task is managing STOWA's international business relationships. In 1963, the name of the product STOWA Seatime, a precursor of today's Seatime series, is copyright reserved. STOWA's smallest clock of the world is presented in 1970 at the Hannovermesse. At that time, the STOWA collection contains about 1000 different watch models (source: Rheinfelder Anzeiger, 29th April 1970). Walter Storz dies in 1974, that same year STOWA becomes a partner of the German watch cooperation Pallas. Its aim is, to serve the specialized trade and retail by means of a comprehensive offer of marketconform quality goods as well as trend-setting conceptions, focussed advertising and maximum service. (original text passage of 1974).
Takeover by Jörg Schauer.
1996 to 2019
In 1996, Jörg Schauer acquires STOWA from Werner Storz and hence all trademark rights. As part of the company's 70th anniversary in 1997, the limited Flieger watch Unitas 6300 N is presented. Werner Storz dies in 1998. In 2002, 75 years of STOWA are celebrated with the presentation of the limited Flieger watch Bremen D 1167. STOWA wins the award for the best watches of the world in 2005 for the first time, an audience prize presented by watchtime.net, UHREN-MAGAZIN, Focus and Focus Online. STOWA's Antea wins the first prize and is awarded with the Goldene Unruh 2005. Many Awards following till today. In 2008 and 2009, STOWA's company building is newly constructed and STOWA museum is established. The new complex is officially inaugurated in July 2012. The first construction stage is followed by a second story for more production space.