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{{Short description|Watch manufacturer in Engelsbrand, Baden-Württemberg, Germany}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
|name = STOWA
|name = STOWA
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|subsid =
|subsid =
|slogan =
|slogan =
|homepage = [http://www.stowa.com/ www.stowa.com]
|homepage = [https://www.stowa.de/ www.stowa.de]
|dissolved =
|dissolved =
|footnotes =
|footnotes =
|intl = <!--Enter ''yes'' to change labels to international instead of US terminology-->
|intl = <!--Enter ''yes'' to change labels to international instead of US terminology-->
}}
}}
'''STOWA''' is a German luxury watchmaker founded by Walter Storz in 1927, and is based in [[Engelsbrand]], [[Germany]]. The name is a [[portmanteau]] of the founder's name, '''Sto'''rz '''Wa'''lter. From 1996 until 2021, STOWA was owned by Jörg Schauer, who also owns the Schauer watch [[brand]] and the [[DUROWE]] watch movement brand. July 1, 2021, Stowa became part of Tempus Arte GmbH & Co. KG, which also owns Uhrenmanufaktur Lang & Heyne Dresden, UhrenWerke-Dresden (UWD), as well as the Munich-based company Leinfelder Uhren München.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mcusercontent.com/2a9fc5dc008d2af2c2a1da93a/files/a24747b6-ac60-8372-896a-7688c1d773cf/2021_07_09_PR_TempusArte_ENG.pdf |date=2021-07-01 |title=Achieve more together – Tempus Arte GmbH & Co. KG became the new owner of STOWA GmbH Co. KG }}</ref>

'''STOWA''' is a [[German]] luxury watchmaker founded by Walter Storz in 1927 and is based in [[Engelsbrand]], [[Germany]]. The name is a [[portmanteau]] of the founder's name, '''Sto'''rz '''Wa'''lter. Since 1996,
STOWA has been acquired and owned by Jörg Schauer, who also owns the Schauer watch [[brand]] and the [[DUROWE]] watch movement brand.


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
{{Primary sources|section|date=October 2020}}
1927: Foundation of STOWA by Walter Storz in Hornberg/Kinzigtal, Germany. The name derives from "STO," for Storz and "WA," for Walter.
1927: Founding of STOWA by Walter Storz in Hornberg/Kinzigtal, Germany. The name derives from "STO," for Storz and "WA," for Walter.


1935: Move to a new rented building in [[Pforzheim]], Germany.
1935: Moved to a new rented building in [[Pforzheim]], Germany.


1938: Construction of own STOWA building in Bismarckstraße 54 in Pforzheim, Germany.
1938: Construction of STOWA owned building at Bismarckstraße 54 in Pforzheim, Germany.


1938: Presentation of Bauhaus watches (on which today's Antea line is based).
1938: Presentation of Bauhaus watches (on which today's Antea line is based).


1938: AbwehrZeitArbeit ausf.b developed.
1938: AbwehrZeitArbeit ausf.b developed to manufacture timepieces for the military.


1939: Production launch of STOWA Marine Beobachtungsuhr ("Observation Watch") and the big pilot B-watches (55mm). Both basic designs can be found in several variations within the current line.
1939: Production launch of STOWA Marine Beobachtungsuhr ("Observation Watch") and the big pilot B-watches (55mm), (commissioned by the [[Luftwaffe]] in [[World War II]]). Both basic designs can be found in several variations within the current line. STOWA was one of only five manufacturers for these watches (the others being [[A. Lange & Söhne]], [[Laco watch manufacture|Laco]], [[Wempe Chronometerwerke|Wempe]] and [[International Watch Company|IWC]]).


1945: On February 23, 1945 the STOWA building destroyed by the great bombardment on Pforzheim.
1945: On February 23, 1945, the STOWA building is destroyed by the Allies' bombardment of Pforzheim.


1945: Start of STOWA's new watch factory in Rheinfelden, [[Germany]], near Basle.
1945: Start of STOWA's new watch factory in [[Rheinfelden (Baden)|Rheinfelden]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], [[Germany]], near [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]].


1947: Walter Storz becomes founding member of the Watch Industry Association.
1947: Walter Storz becomes founding member of the Watch Industry Association.


1951: Construction of STOWA's new factory in Rheinfelden. Head office in Pforzheim is rebuilt in parallel.
1951: Construction of STOWA's new factory in Rheinfelden is completed. The headquarters office in Pforzheim is rebuilt in parallel.


1954: Foundation of the RUFA (Rheinfelder Uhrteilefabrik). Leads to production of RUFA-Anti-Shocks for PUW and [[DUROWE]] movements. Rheinfelden factory is extended.
1954: Foundation of the RUFA (Rheinfelder Uhrteilefabrik). Leads to production of RUFA-Anti-Shocks for PUW and [[DUROWE]] movements. The Rheinfelden factory is expanded.


1960: Werner Storz, son of Walter Storz, joins the company and is in charge of sales overseas.
1960: Werner Storz, son of Walter Storz, joins the company and is in charge of sales overseas.


1963: Protection of trademarks for STOWA Seatime (prototype for present-day Seatime collection).
1963: Protection of trademarks for STOWA Seatime is established (prototype for present-day Seatime collection).


1966: Rheinfelden factory is extended.
1966: The Rheinfelden factory is expanded further.


1970: STOWA launches the "smallest alarm clock of the world" at the [[Hanover|Hannover]] watch fair. Collection comprises approximately 1,000 different watch models ({{cite news
1970: STOWA launches the "smallest alarm clock of the world" at the [[Hanover|Hannover]] watch fair. The watch collection comprises approximately 1,000 different watch models.<ref>{{cite news| title=Rheinfelder Anzeiger | date=April 29, 1970}}</ref>
| title = Rheinfelder Anzeiger
| date = April 29, 1970
}}).


1974: Walter Storz dies. STOWA becomes partner and member of the German watch cooperation Pallas, which has the primary goal of supplying specialized dealers and retailers with a collection of market-conform and trend-setting watches, concentrated advertising, and the maximum service.
1974: Walter Storz dies. STOWA becomes partner and member of the German watch cooperation Pallas, which has the primary goal of supplying specialized dealers and retailers with a collection of market-conform and trend-setting watches, concentrated advertising, and the highest level of customer service.


1996: Jörg Schauer takes over STOWA and all trademark rights from Werner Storz.
1996: Jörg Schauer takes over STOWA and all trademark rights from Werner Storz.

⚫
1997: STOWA's 70th anniversary. A limited edition Fliegeruhr ("Pilot Watch") with Unitas 6300N movement is introduced.


1998: Werner Storz dies.
1998: Werner Storz dies.


⚫
2002: The 75th anniversary of STOWA as a company. A limited edition Fliegeruhr "Bremen D 1167" is offered in celebration of the anniversary. This limited edition is a tribute to the airplane called "Bremen," the first airplane to make a nonstop flight across [[Atlantic Ocean]] from East to West in 1928.
⚫
1997: STOWA's 70th anniversary. Presentation of a limited Fliegeruhr ("Pilot Watch") with Unitas 6300 N.


⚫
2007: STOWA's 80th anniversary. Introduction of two limited edition pilot's watches: Flieger Automatic and Flieger Original.
⚫
2002: STOWA's 75th company anniversary. Presentation of the limited Fliegeruhr "Bremen D 1167." This limited edition is a tribute to the airplane called "Bremen," the first airplane to make a nonstop flight across [[Atlantic Ocean]] from East to West in 1928. (The flight from East to West was the more difficult path than the flight of Charles Lindbergh in 1927 from West to East.)


⚫
2008/2009: Move to the current production building, which also houses the STOWA in-house museum with several historic watches produced by STOWA.
⚫
2007: STOWA's 80th anniversary. Presentation of limited flieger watches: Flieger Automatic and Flieger Original.


⚫
2010: Introduction of the STOWA Chronograph, which is based on a former pocket watch design. Launch of the Flieger Baumuster B with B-Dial. (Only 42 pieces of the original 55mm Pilot B-Dial watch have been produced during WW2, making the original Pilot B-Uhr is one of the rarest big pilot watches ever.)
⚫
2008/2009: Move to the newly constructed production building, including the STOWA in-house museum


2021: Stowa became part of Tempus Arte GmbH & Co. KG.
⚫
2010: Presentation of the STOWA Chronograph, which is based in detail on a former pocket watch. Launch of the Flieger Baumuster B with B-Dial. (Only 42 pieces of the original 55mm Pilot B-Dial watch have been produced during WW2, making the original Pilot B-Uhr is one of the rarest big pilot watches ever.)


==Watch models==
==Watch models==
[[Image:2008 1101ordner0056.JPG|thumb|right|STOWA Marine Original Limited Edition (2008)]]
⚫
At present, Stowa has several model lines:

* '''Antea''': Replica of an original STOWA design from the 1930s.
* '''Chronograph''': [[Chronograph]] models based on historic [[pocket watch]] designs.
* '''Flieger (Pilot)''': Homage to the original Beobachtungsuhren (B-Uhr) design.
* '''Marine''': Based on the [[marine chronometer]]s used in navigation.
* '''Partitio''': [[Bauhaus]] design inspired watch sold exclusively through [[Manufactum]] retail stores. This is also a replica of a STOWA design from the 1930s.
* '''Prodiver/Seatime''': Sports diving watches that are water resistant to 1000m/300m. The dial and hand design of these are inspired by vintage STOWA Seatimes.


⚫
As of 2020, STOWA has several model lines:
* '''Antea''': Replica of an original STOWA design from the 1930s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.architecturelab.net/stowa-antea-review/|title=Stowa Antea - Legendary Bauhaus Design Under the Microscope|work=Architectural Lab|date=2019-05-28|accessdate=2020-09-30}}</ref>
* '''Antea back to bauhaus''': Refreshed bauhaus design, in collaboration with designer [[Hartmut Esslinger]], introduced in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wornandwound.com/review/stowa-antea-back-to-bauhaus/ |title=Stowa back to bauhaus review |author=Ryvin, Ilya |work=Worn & Wound|date=2015-11-25|accessdate=2020-09-30}}</ref>
* '''Chronograph''': [[Chronograph]] models based on historic [[pocket watch]] designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.watchtime.com/reviews/beautifully-bicompax-comparing-chronographs-from-stowa-staudt-and-frederique-constant/ |title=Beautifully Bicompax: Comparing Chronographs from Stowa, Staudt, and Frederique Constant |work=Watch Time |author=Koch, Jens |date=2020-06-15 |accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref>
* '''Flieger (Pilot)''': Homage to the original Beobachtungsuhren (B-Uhr) design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fratellowatches.com/stowa-flieger-klassik-40/ |title=Hands-On With The Stowa Flieger Klassik 40 |author=Broer, Robert-Jan |work=Fratello Magazine |date=2017-05-03 |accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wornandwound.com/review/stowa-flieger-review/|title=Stowa Flieger Review|author=Ryvin, Ilya|work=Worn & Wound|date=2014-02-19|accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref>
* '''Flieger Verus''': Contemporary pilot watch designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wristwatchreview.com/2018/07/19/getting-back-to-basics-with-the-stowa-flieger-verus-40/|title=Getting back to basics with the Stowa Flieger Verus 40|author=Kansa, Patrick|work=The Wrist Watch Review|date=2018-07-19|accessdate=2020-09-30}}</ref>
* '''Marine''': Based on the [[marine chronometer]]s used in navigation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/in-depth-stowa-marine-original |author=Scholz, Felix |title=In-Depth The Stowa Marine Original |work=Hodinkee |date=2013-05-06|accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref>
* '''Partitio''': a [[Bauhaus]] design inspired watch, replicated from a 1930S STOWA design, and sold exclusively through [[Manufactum]] retail stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://watchclicker.com/2019/04/08/stowa-partitio/ |title=Stowa Partitio |work=The Watch Clicker |date=2019-04-08 |accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref>
* '''Prodiver/Seatime''': Sports diving watches that are water resistant to 1000m/300m. The dial and hand design of these are inspired by vintage STOWA Seatimes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timepiecechronicle.com/features/inside-out-the-stowa-seatime-prodiver |title=Inside & Out: The Stowa Seatime Prodiver |work=Timepiece Chronicle |date=2016-07-01|accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.achickenwristsdelight.com/omtaler/2019/2/22/deep-down-with-the-stowa-seatime-prodiver-white |title=Deep down with the Stowa Seatime Prodiver White |work=A Chickenwrists Delight |date=2019-02-22 |accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref>
* '''Schauer''': More upscale watches designed by Jörg Schauer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2019/11/stowa-onehand-44-minimalist-watch-of-the-day/ |title=Stowa Onehand 44: Minimalist Watch of the Day |work=The Truth About Watches |author=Farago, Robert |date=2019-11-13 |accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://masterhorologer.com/2011/06/29/schauer-edition-10-hand-winding-chronograph-for-jubilee-41mm/?ak_action=reject_mobile |title=SCHAUER EDITION 10 HAND WINDING CHRONOGRAPH FOR JUBILEE (41MM) |work=MasterHorologer |date=2011-06-29 |accessdate=2020-10-01}}</ref>
The movements in STOWA's watches are mostly [[ETA SA|ETA]] movements with significant decoration and, in the case of the Airman Original, mechanical modifications. Since Jörg Schauer owns the [[DUROWE]] (Deutsche Uhrenrohwerke) movement brand, it is anticipated that Durowe movements will be used in STOWA watches in the future.
The movements in STOWA's watches are mostly [[ETA SA|ETA]] movements with significant decoration and, in the case of the Airman Original, mechanical modifications. Since Jörg Schauer owns the [[DUROWE]] (Deutsche Uhrenrohwerke) movement brand, it is anticipated that Durowe movements will be used in STOWA watches in the future.


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
Since around 2001/02, STOWA has sold the majority of its watches directly to the customer, through its website or from its factory in [[Engelsbrand]]. STOWA claim <ref>[http://www.german-watches.com/cgi-bin/lshop.cgi?action=inline&file=1148805493-e.html&wkid=21286&ls=e&nocache=1241915983-9977 STOWA website FAQs]</ref> this allows them to keep their distribution costs down, thereby keeping prices lower than if their watches were sold through a wholesale & retail network.
Since around 2001/02, STOWA has sold the majority of its watches directly to the customer, through its website or from its factory in [[Engelsbrand]]. STOWA claims<ref>[http://www.german-watches.com/cgi-bin/lshop.cgi?action=inline&file=1148805493-e.html&wkid=21286&ls=e&nocache=1241915983-9977 STOWA website FAQs]</ref> this allows them to keep their distribution costs down, thereby keeping prices lower than if their watches were sold through a wholesale & retail network.
[[Manufactum]] stores sell a range of Stowa watches with one model, the ''Partitio'', available exclusively.
[[Manufactum]] stores sell a range of Stowa watches with one model, the ''Partitio'', available exclusively.

==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of German watch manufacturers]]
* [[List of German watch manufacturers]]

Latest revision as of 04:17, 23 November 2024

STOWA
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryWatch manufacturing
Founded1927 by Walter Storz
Headquarters
Engelsbrand
,
Germany
Key people
Jörg Schauer (CEO)
ProductsWristwatches, accessories
Websitewww.stowa.de

STOWA is a German luxury watchmaker founded by Walter Storz in 1927, and is based in Engelsbrand, Germany. The name is a portmanteau of the founder's name, Storz Walter. From 1996 until 2021, STOWA was owned by Jörg Schauer, who also owns the Schauer watch brand and the DUROWE watch movement brand. July 1, 2021, Stowa became part of Tempus Arte GmbH & Co. KG, which also owns Uhrenmanufaktur Lang & Heyne Dresden, UhrenWerke-Dresden (UWD), as well as the Munich-based company Leinfelder Uhren München.[1]

Timeline

[edit]

1927: Founding of STOWA by Walter Storz in Hornberg/Kinzigtal, Germany. The name derives from "STO," for Storz and "WA," for Walter.

1935: Moved to a new rented building in Pforzheim, Germany.

1938: Construction of STOWA owned building at Bismarckstraße 54 in Pforzheim, Germany.

1938: Presentation of Bauhaus watches (on which today's Antea line is based).

1938: AbwehrZeitArbeit ausf.b developed to manufacture timepieces for the military.

1939: Production launch of STOWA Marine Beobachtungsuhr ("Observation Watch") and the big pilot B-watches (55mm), (commissioned by the Luftwaffe in World War II). Both basic designs can be found in several variations within the current line. STOWA was one of only five manufacturers for these watches (the others being A. Lange & Söhne, Laco, Wempe and IWC).

1945: On February 23, 1945, the STOWA building is destroyed by the Allies' bombardment of Pforzheim.

1945: Start of STOWA's new watch factory in Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Basel, Switzerland.

1947: Walter Storz becomes founding member of the Watch Industry Association.

1951: Construction of STOWA's new factory in Rheinfelden is completed. The headquarters office in Pforzheim is rebuilt in parallel.

1954: Foundation of the RUFA (Rheinfelder Uhrteilefabrik). Leads to production of RUFA-Anti-Shocks for PUW and DUROWE movements. The Rheinfelden factory is expanded.

1960: Werner Storz, son of Walter Storz, joins the company and is in charge of sales overseas.

1963: Protection of trademarks for STOWA Seatime is established (prototype for present-day Seatime collection).

1966: The Rheinfelden factory is expanded further.

1970: STOWA launches the "smallest alarm clock of the world" at the Hannover watch fair. The watch collection comprises approximately 1,000 different watch models.[2]

1974: Walter Storz dies. STOWA becomes partner and member of the German watch cooperation Pallas, which has the primary goal of supplying specialized dealers and retailers with a collection of market-conform and trend-setting watches, concentrated advertising, and the highest level of customer service.

1996: Jörg Schauer takes over STOWA and all trademark rights from Werner Storz.

1997: STOWA's 70th anniversary. A limited edition Fliegeruhr ("Pilot Watch") with Unitas 6300N movement is introduced.

1998: Werner Storz dies.

2002: The 75th anniversary of STOWA as a company. A limited edition Fliegeruhr "Bremen D 1167" is offered in celebration of the anniversary. This limited edition is a tribute to the airplane called "Bremen," the first airplane to make a nonstop flight across Atlantic Ocean from East to West in 1928.

2007: STOWA's 80th anniversary. Introduction of two limited edition pilot's watches: Flieger Automatic and Flieger Original.

2008/2009: Move to the current production building, which also houses the STOWA in-house museum with several historic watches produced by STOWA.

2010: Introduction of the STOWA Chronograph, which is based on a former pocket watch design. Launch of the Flieger Baumuster B with B-Dial. (Only 42 pieces of the original 55mm Pilot B-Dial watch have been produced during WW2, making the original Pilot B-Uhr is one of the rarest big pilot watches ever.)

2021: Stowa became part of Tempus Arte GmbH & Co. KG.

Watch models

[edit]

As of 2020, STOWA has several model lines:

  • Antea: Replica of an original STOWA design from the 1930s.[3]
  • Antea back to bauhaus: Refreshed bauhaus design, in collaboration with designer Hartmut Esslinger, introduced in 2014.[4]
  • Chronograph: Chronograph models based on historic pocket watch designs.[5]
  • Flieger (Pilot): Homage to the original Beobachtungsuhren (B-Uhr) design.[6][7]
  • Flieger Verus: Contemporary pilot watch designs.[8]
  • Marine: Based on the marine chronometers used in navigation.[9]
  • Partitio: a Bauhaus design inspired watch, replicated from a 1930S STOWA design, and sold exclusively through Manufactum retail stores.[10]
  • Prodiver/Seatime: Sports diving watches that are water resistant to 1000m/300m. The dial and hand design of these are inspired by vintage STOWA Seatimes.[11][12]
  • Schauer: More upscale watches designed by Jörg Schauer[13][14]

The movements in STOWA's watches are mostly ETA movements with significant decoration and, in the case of the Airman Original, mechanical modifications. Since Jörg Schauer owns the DUROWE (Deutsche Uhrenrohwerke) movement brand, it is anticipated that Durowe movements will be used in STOWA watches in the future.

Distribution

[edit]

Since around 2001/02, STOWA has sold the majority of its watches directly to the customer, through its website or from its factory in Engelsbrand. STOWA claims[15] this allows them to keep their distribution costs down, thereby keeping prices lower than if their watches were sold through a wholesale & retail network. Manufactum stores sell a range of Stowa watches with one model, the Partitio, available exclusively.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Achieve more together – Tempus Arte GmbH & Co. KG became the new owner of STOWA GmbH Co. KG" (PDF). 2021-07-01.
  2. ^ "Rheinfelder Anzeiger". April 29, 1970.
  3. ^ "Stowa Antea - Legendary Bauhaus Design Under the Microscope". Architectural Lab. 2019-05-28. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  4. ^ Ryvin, Ilya (2015-11-25). "Stowa back to bauhaus review". Worn & Wound. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  5. ^ Koch, Jens (2020-06-15). "Beautifully Bicompax: Comparing Chronographs from Stowa, Staudt, and Frederique Constant". Watch Time. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  6. ^ Broer, Robert-Jan (2017-05-03). "Hands-On With The Stowa Flieger Klassik 40". Fratello Magazine. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  7. ^ Ryvin, Ilya (2014-02-19). "Stowa Flieger Review". Worn & Wound. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  8. ^ Kansa, Patrick (2018-07-19). "Getting back to basics with the Stowa Flieger Verus 40". The Wrist Watch Review. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  9. ^ Scholz, Felix (2013-05-06). "In-Depth The Stowa Marine Original". Hodinkee. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  10. ^ "Stowa Partitio". The Watch Clicker. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  11. ^ "Inside & Out: The Stowa Seatime Prodiver". Timepiece Chronicle. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  12. ^ "Deep down with the Stowa Seatime Prodiver White". A Chickenwrists Delight. 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  13. ^ Farago, Robert (2019-11-13). "Stowa Onehand 44: Minimalist Watch of the Day". The Truth About Watches. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  14. ^ "SCHAUER EDITION 10 HAND WINDING CHRONOGRAPH FOR JUBILEE (41MM)". MasterHorologer. 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  15. ^ STOWA website FAQs
[edit]
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