Exhibitions in Germany for Clocks

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Germany’s clock and watchmaking industry, although smaller in comparison to export giants like China and Switzerland, boasts a rich history and a legacy of precision and craftsmanship. As one of the top five watch exporters worldwide, Germany’s position in the horological world cannot be underestimated. The roots of Germany’s watchmaking industry can be traced back several hundred years with historic centers like Pforzheim, the Black Forest and Glashütte. In 1845, Ferdinand Adolph Lange laid the foundation for watchmaking in Glashütte by establishing the watch factory Ferdinand Adolph Lange & Cie. With support from the Saxon government, Lange began training local citizens as watchmakers, sparking the growth of the industry in the poverty-stricken Müglitztal region. The establishment of the German watchmaker school in Glashütte in 1878 further fueled the industry’s growth by providing comprehensive education in mathematics, geometry and horology. Glashütte soon gained renown for its high-precision pocket watches, including marine chronometers and pilot watches in the observation watch design during the 1940s. The aftermath of World War II proved to be a challenging period for the German watchmaking sector as most production facilities in Glashütte were dismantled as reparations, and watch manufacturers were expropriated by occupying troops. Despite these setbacks, the Soviets began training their own watchmakers in Glashütte. The establishment of the people’s company Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe (GUB) in 1951 marked a new chapter for the industry with a focus on industrial mass production. Despite the shift towards mass production, Glashütte maintained its reputation for quality and precision. Today, German watchmakers like Lange & Söhne and Glashütte Original continue to produce timepieces of unparalleled craftsmanship. These watches are often found in the high-priced luxury segment. With each tick of the clock, Germany’s watchmaking heritage continues to captivate collectors worldwide, cementing its place as a major force in the global watchmaking industry.

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