Upcoming Trade Shows in Germany for Clocks

The clock and watchmaking industry in Germany ranks as one of the best the world over. When you think about timepieces, you’d think of Switzerland, but Germany holds its own. Historically, Germany has had many long-established centre, one being Pforzheim, which has a rich history in watchmaking that dates back to the 18th century. Founded in 1767 by Margrave Karl-Friedrich von Baden, Pforzheim’s watch and jewelry industry flourished long before the renowned watchmaking center of Glashütte emerged. With the support of Swiss-French watchmakers, a watch factory was established in Pforzheim’s local orphanage, marking the beginnings of a flourishing industry. Throughout the 20th century, Pforzheim experienced a renaissance in watchmaking, earning it the nickname Goldstadt (gold town). By 1920, the city had become a global hub for the German watch industry and jewelry manufacturing. Notably, the Pforzheimer Uhren-Rohwerke GmbH (PUW), founded in 1933 by master watchmaker Rudolf Wehner, gained international acclaim for its in-house-developed mechanical movements renowned for their quality and accuracy. Despite the challenges of the post-war years, Pforzheim’s watchmaking industry persevered. Many factories were destroyed and production facilities were dismantled, yet entrepreneurs like Rudolf Wehner rebuilt the city and its manufacturing facilities. By the 1970s, Pforzheim boasted nearly 30,000 employees in the watchmaking industry, producing mechanical watches of exceptional quality in large series. The advent of quartz watches and the subsequent quartz crisis led to a decline in the watch industry, resulting in the disappearance of many companies and jobs. Yet, in recent years, Pforzheim has witnessed a renaissance. Traditional and younger brands have reinvigorated the industry. Today, Pforzheim remains a thriving center. The city is home to case and dial manufacturers, a goldsmith and watchmaker school, the Federal Association for Watches and Jewelry, and the Technical Museum of the Pforzheim jewelry and watch industry.