Germany is fantastic, isn't it? Not only does it continue to sate our appetite for thoroughly well-made saloon cars but the country was also ahead of the curve when it came to David Hasselhoff. It has also very kindly given the world Kraftwerk and currywurst. However, the absolute best thing that Germany has given the world is its beer. Germans are just so darn good at making it and, to illustrate their skills, they invented a festival in celebration of all the malty hoppy goodness. Hong Kong's very own Oktoberfest beer festival begins next weekend, so as well as donning lederhosen, why not get into the swing of things and grab yourself a made-in-Germany wristwatch.
One company that will be celebrating harder than most this year is Junghans, which this year reached the ripe old age of 150. To mark this anniversary, Junghans has released the Max Bill Chronoscope (top right), a nod both to the company's long history and perhaps its most famous designer. Celebrated Swiss product designer and inductee to New York's Museum of Modern Art, Bill lends his name to the watch and his engraved image to the back of the case. Encased in 18-carat yellow gold, the Max Bill Chronoscope takes its design cues from Bill's Bauhaus background, with clear and minimal lines and a stark lack of numerals and detail. Despite the lack of ceremony, the watch does feature two totalisers indicating 30 minutes and 12 hours as well as a date indicator at the three o'clock position. The Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope is limited to a very apt 150 pieces and costs an eminently affordable HK$13,750.
The centre of German watchmaking is the small eastern town of Glashutte, which despite having a population of only 4,700 has given rise to some of the most venerated watch brands in the world. A. Lange & Sohne is perhaps the most exclusive Glashutte watch brand and it is not hard to see why when it produces watches such as the Zeitwerk (above right). Released in 2009, the Zeitwerk is a glorious marriage of German ingenuity and refined design. The painstakingly handmade 388-piece movement is a modern marvel and it has to be to control such a wonderfully configured dial. The standout feature is the jumping hours and minutes indicator, with lushly detailed numerals, but the dial also features a small seconds hand with a stop second function as well as a power reserve indicator towards the top of the watch. Depending on the materials used for the 41mm case, with four options that include yellow, white and rose gold, and platinum, prices for the A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk range from HK$400,000 to well over HK$600,000.
Another Glashutte resident is Muhle, a company that was founded in 1869 and is perhaps better known for making nautical timekeeping devices for luxury yachts and ships. The Muhle Teutonia II Chronograph (right) somewhat belies the company's maritime heritage with a design that is sporty with elements of classicism. The Teutonia II Chronograph features three totalisers indicating small seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours all neatly configured towards the left side of the watch with the right side featuring a nicely designed day and date indicator at the four o'clock position and the company logo at the three o'clock position. Priced at a tempting HK$28,000, the 42mm case of the Teutonia II is made of polished steel and comes with the added delight of a transparent back. The steel casing works well with the silvery dial, blackened hands and black crocodile-leather strap.