TOP 10 Best Affordable German Watches [List & Guide]

TOP 10 Best Affordable German Watches

When we think about affordable quality watches, we often think of Japanese watches. Brands like Seiko, Casio, and Citizen, have guided the way and become synonymous with high-quality affordable timepieces.

When we think of high-quality luxury and prestigious watches, we think of Swiss watches.

But a country that also has a long and rich history of watchmaking and which has gotten increasing popularity in recent years with luxury brands like Glashutte and A. Lange & Sohne is Germany. The good news is that there are also a number of well-known and well-respected watch brands from Germany that offer great watches at more affordable prices. But it’s not so surprising that Germany is becoming more and more known for its watches either. Germany is known as a producer and has a reputation for building high-quality products, from cars to appliances.

If you are looking for the best affordable German watches, you have come to the right place. In this article, we are looking closer at watches from a country that isn’t perhaps as greatly associate with watchmaking as some other countries, but from which you can still get unique and high-quality timepieces at affordable prices.

Similar to Switzerland, which has Geneva as the capital of watchmaking, Glashütte is the center of watchmaking for Germany. And like many of the other watch-producing countries, German watches, in general, have their signature design traits and lines. German watches are, in general, associated with Bauhaus-inspired designs and often vintage-military-inspired designs. In many cases, German watch design stands out from the ordinary and is in many cases distinguishable from other watches on the market.

Now, it is important to mention that the term ”affordable” is always relative. Whilst few manufacturers can compete with the price of Japanese watches, this list will include German watches for a few hundred, but also at slightly higher prices of 1-2000 USD as well.

Best affordable German watches

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Junghans Max Bill 041/4562.04

Starting off this list with a watch from a classic and well-known German watch brand, Junghans. This watch is designed as a minimalistic, sleek, and elegant dress watch with a Bauhaus-inspired design. It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 38mm with a very thin bezel and small lugs. This puts all the focus on the dial, which is the highlight of this watch. It is powered by a quartz J645.33 caliber which ensures great accuracy.

The water resistance is 30m/100 feet which isn’t great, but this is after all a dress watch, so the water resistance isn’t really crucial.

The dial is very simple too, featuring a matte silver color with thin pencil-shaped hands and discreet black painted markers. It also has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock for convenience.

All in all, this is a very simple and sleek watch that works perfectly for everyday wear with more formal attire, but also as a dress watch. This Junghans watch is really what German watch design is known for and a refreshing take on minimalism.

Specifications

• Movement: Quartz
• Diameter: 38mm
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet

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Braun Women’s Watch BN0031WHSLMHL

Next up, we have this watch from Braun, which is another iconic German watch brand. Just like the Junghans, it has a clean and simple design with a clear Bauhaus look.

The watch features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 33mm and an integrated bracelet design, presented on a steel mesh band. This watch design also stands out from the ordinary and defines what German design is really all about. It features a clean white dial with nothing more than simple black hour markers printed in black. The reheat is sloped and has seconds/minutes markers printed in black. On top of the case sits a mineral crystal. The hour and minutes hands are black and have a rectangular shape, and to create a nice contrast to the otherwise monochrome dial, Braun has opted for a yellow seconds hand.

The watch is powered by a quartz movement for accuracy and reliability. The water resistance of 50m/165 feet is ok for everyday wear, but remember that this is not a dive watch.

All in all, this stylish and minimalistic German watch is a small, simple, and clean watch that works great for any occasion and for everyday wear.

Specifications

• Diameter: 33mm
• Movement: Quartz
• Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
• Crystal: mineral

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Graf Zeppelin LZ129 Hindenburg Series 7046-1

The Graf Zeppelin  LZ129 Hindenburg Series 7046-1 is a watch that is inspired by the German military watch design and history. It is presented with a large dial and a large crown which in a way reminds of a classic pocket watch.

The watch has a diameter of 40mm and has small and discreet lugs with a thin bezel that leaves all the property of the watch to the dial. Speaking of the dial, it has a white dial with Breguet style hour markers printed in black as well as classic black hands which also remind of those commonly used in pocket watches. Positioned at 3 o’clock, you also have a date window which can be convenient to have for everyday wear.

This retro-style watch is a great classy dress watch that will slide under a cuff without any issues thanks to its thickness of 10mm and complements a formal style perfectly with its black embossed leather strap. On top of the case sits a domed Hesalite crystal for a more traditional look.

Inside the watch is a Swiss Made Ronda 515 quartz movement which offers perfect accuracy and reliability.

Specifications

• Diameter: 40mm
• Water resistance: 30m/3 bar
• Crystal: Domed Hesalite crystal
• Movement: Swiss Ronda quartz

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GRAF Zeppelin Chronograph and Alarm Watch

The Graf Zeppelin Chronograph is another classic and vintage-inspired military watch with a retro design. It features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm and so is a bit on the larger side. But at the same time, it has taken inspiration from pilot’s watches, which generally require a slightly larger size. The case has a thin profile and a thin bezel which puts all your focus on the dial, and since it is a chronograph, it also has two chronograph pushers positioned at its side.

Around the outer edge of the black dial, it has a tachymeter scale printed in white for measuring average speed together with the chronograph. At 4 o’clock, it also has a date window integrated into the dial.

Apart from the chronograph, date, and timekeeping function, the quartz movement inside also offers an alarm function. And in a traditional manner, we have sub-counters positioned at 3, 6, ad 9 o’clock.

For a more classic look, it is presented on a black embossed leather strap. Since this is not a dive watch, it only has a water resistance of 50m which is enough for handling water splashes but not for swimming and diving.

All in all, this classic pilot’s inspired timepiece is a great choice if you want an affordable German watch with vintage military and pilot-inspired design.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 50m/5 ATM
• Diameter: 42mm
• Movement: Swiss quartz

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ZEPPELIN Count 7656-5

The Zeppelin Count 7656-5 is another watch that defines what German watch design is all about and is known for. It has a vintage-inspired design with design elements that remind us of old military watches, but also pocket watches.

It features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40mm and elegantly designed lugs. At 3 o’clock on its side, it has a large crown which reminds a bit about a pocket watch. To go with the classical theme, it has a large, cream-colored dial with large painted hour markers in black and classic large pilot’s hands with black frames and luminescent material applied to them for excellent legibility. At 3 o’clock, you also have a date window discreetly tucked into the dial.

This is also the first watch in this list to feature an automatic movement, which a lot of people will like.

The water resistance of 50m means that this watch can handle water splashes, and this is also what you can expect from a dress/pilot watch as well. And last but not least, for an elegant look, it is presented on a brown embossed leather strap.

All in all, this watch works great for everyday wear but also as a dress watch, and most importantly, has a German design that stands out from most traditional Swiss or Japanese dress/pilot’s watches which is perfect for those who want something different and unique.

Specifications

• Diameter: 40mm
• Water resistance: 50m/5ATM
• Movement. Automatic

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Zeppelin Serie LZ129 Hindenburg

If you want a German watch with a more modern and interesting design, you can opt for the Zeppelin LZ129 Hindenburg.

This watch stands out in many ways, both in terms of design but also in terms of functions. It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40mm and has a very thin bezel that moves all the focus to the dial which is quite big. The lugs are also very short and small and hold the steel mesh bracelets on which this watch is presented.

The dial takes up most of this watch’s property, and it is also the highlight of this timepiece. It has a silver-colored dial with a beautiful sunburst finish that reflects the light beautifully and makes it more vibrant. In terms of functions, this watch has three sub-dials that display the day, date, and moon phase function. For a vintage touch, it is presented with black Breguet-style hands.

Powering this watch is a reliable quartz movement which is necessary for keeping this watch affordable considering all of its different functions.

The water resistance is only 30m which is not very impressive, but this is more of an elegant everyday watch, so water resistance shouldn’t matter too much anyway.

Specifications

• Diameter: 40mm
• Water resistance: 30m
• Movement: Quartz

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Junghans Form C Chronoscope Quartz 041/4771.00

Another watch from the iconic and popular German brand Junghans is the Form C Chronoscope 041/4771.00. This watch features the classic and iconic Bauhaus-inspired design that Junghans and German watch brands have become known for.

It features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40mm and a thickness of only 10.5mm. The watch is also equipped with a chronograph function and has mushroom-style chronograph pushers at its sides. The lug-to-lug is 45mm and the water resistance is 50m.

For an elegant look, the case has a polished finish and a slim profile with thin lugs and a thin bezel. On top of the case sits a flat sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on one side.

Moving on to the dial, this watch has a concave white dial with an embossed square minute track in a galvanic matte silver plated finish. The hands have a rectangular shape which allows for a sleek and elegant look. The dial has simple hour markers printed in black and positioned at 3 o’clock, it has a date window discreetly tucked in.

The watch is powered by the quartz J645.85 caliber which offers a central Stop Second, 30 Minute, And 12 Hour Counter And Small Second At 6 O’Clock.

All in all, this is a simple yet very elegant watch that captures everything that German watch design is all about. Whilst it has a clean design, it works great for everyday wear.

Specifications

• Movement: quartz
• Crystal: anti-reflective flat sapphire
• Thickness: 10.5mm
• Water-resistance: 5bar/50m

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Braun 38mm BN0231BKBKGAL

The Braun BN0231BKBKGAL is a minimalistic and simple German watch with a Braun-inspired design. It features a 38mm case made with a matt alloy and is powered by a quartz movement. On top of the case sits a scratch-resistant mineral crystal. The water resistance is 30m which is ok for an everyday watch.

The dial is black and has small hour markers printed on it. The hands are thin and have a rectangular shape. As a nice touch of color to the otherwise monochrome dial, it has a yellow seconds hand.

This watch is all about minimalism and great legibility, making it great for everyday wear but also for more formal occasions. For those who know design, the German design cues will be instantly recognizable. This makes for a great watch for those who want a trusted companion that doesn’t stand out too much but is still beautiful to look at. Sometimes, beautiful design comes in the simplest of forms.

Specifications

• Diameter: 38mm
• Crystal: mineral crystal
• Water resistance: 3 ATM/30m
• Movement: Quartz

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Laco/1925 861806 Pilot Classic

For those who enjoy German pilot’s watches, the Laco 1925 Pilot Classic is a watch that captures everything we love about pilot’s watches and classic German designs.

It features a relatively large stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm with a big crown and a satin-brushed finish. As a pilot’s watch should, it has a large black dial with a matte finish and large markers as well as large sword hands. The dial also features a date window at 3 o’clock and a day window at 12 o’clock. On top of the case sits a mineral crystal.

For accuracy, this watch is presented with a quartz movement. The water resistance of 50m isn’t great, but remember that this is a pilot’s watch and not a dive watch.

As a traditional pilot’s watch, it has a brown calf leather strap with rivets. 

Legibility in low-lit conditions is crucial for this type of watch, and this is why the hands and markers have Superluminova C3 for a strong and bright glow.

Now, this watch is perhaps not ideal for formal occasions, but pilot’s watches have a very special design to them that many find appealing, inspired by vintage designs and military watches. This makes for a great sporty everyday watch.

Specifications

• Diameter: 42mm
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
• Crystal: Mineral

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Nomos Metro Galvanized White 1101

Last but not least, we have the Nomos Metro 1101. Nomos watches are a step up in terms of finish and quality, and therefore, it has a higher price than the other watches in this list. But still, Nomos watches are still appreciated for their great quality and attention to detail.

First and foremost, this watch has a design that is instantly associated with Nomos and has become iconic in the watch world. The case has a diameter of a reasonable 37mm.

In Nomos own words:

”Metro date power reserve, designed by Mark Braun, is young and sophisticated, yet Glashütte through and through. The power reserve indicator doesn’t only remind wearers when to rewind, it is also one of the design features. Others include hands as fine as quill tips and colorful hour indexes. And the hand-wound NOMOS caliber DUW 4401 is within, setting the pace, equipped with our proprietary escapement.”

What many watch enthusiasts will appreciate about this watch is that it is manually wound. For convenience, it has a power reserve indicator that reminds the wearer when it needs to be wound.

This watch has a minimalistic white dial with slim black hands, a seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, and a date window at 3 o’clock. It also has, as mentioned, a date window positioned on the dial. The hands are black, slim, and elegant, allowing for a very sleek and modern look.

As Nomos watches are known for, it has great attention to detail, is powered by a qualitative in-house mechanical movement, and has a sleek and minimalistic design. This watch costs more than the other German watches in this list, but you are definitely getting your money’s worth in terms of quality and finish.

Specifications

• Thickness: 7.7mm
• Diameter: 37mm
• Crystal: domed sapphire crystal glass
• Movement: In-house caliber DUW 4401, manually wound
• Water resistance: 3 ATM.
• Power reserve: 42 hours

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Are German watches good?

Yes, German watches are known for being high quality – not just for the most expensive luxury German watches such as A. Lange & Sohne, but also for more affordable alternatives.

German industry is, overall, known for high-quality products, whether that be BMW cars, Bosch electronics, or something else. Germany has a long reputation for making high-quality consumer products, and this reputation is true for German watches in general as well.

Which are the most famous German watch brands?

As mentioned, there are German watch brands that focus on all segments, from affordable to luxury. The most well-known affordable German watch brands are:

• Laco
• Steinhart
• Junghans
• Hanhart
• Stowa
• Damasko
• Zeppelin
• MeisterSinger

The most well-known luxury German watch brands are:

• A. Lange & Sohne
• Glashütte original
• Sinn
• Nomos
• Moritz Grossmann
• Mühle-Glashütte
• Montblanc
• Union Glashütte

Overall, A. Lange & Sohne is considered the best German watch brand there is. But these watches are luxurious and very expensive.

Why should you buy a German watch?

A question you may ask is why you would buy a German watch over, for example, a Swiss watch. I would say that there are a few key reasons why. First and foremost, German watches are known to be high-quality. Just because Swiss watches have a stronger history and reputation doesn’t mean that they are necessarily better. It depends on what you buy. Secondly, Swiss watches, in general, may charge a slight premium just for the fact that they have a label that says Swiss-made. With that said, you may actually be able to get a better German watch for the same price just because you don’t pay a “premium” for the “Swiss-Made” labeling.

It’s important to remember that Germany and Switzerland are very close to each other geographically. Many German watchmakers study and learn watchmaking in Switzerland or from Swiss watchmakers who have great experience and expertise in watchmaking. With this said, German watches can be just as good as Swiss watches, but as mentioned, at a more affordable price.

And thirdly, German watches in general have their own style and design language. German watches are very much inspired by the Bauhaus design language, and if this is something that appeals to you, you may find that the most suitable choice for you is a German watch.