Watchatlas

Stowa

Pforzheim, Germany · Est. 1927

Founded by Walter Storz

Stowa is a German watch brand founded in 1927 by Walter Storz in Schwärtztadt, later moving to Engelsbrand. Historically known for supplying highly accurate cockpit clocks and deck watches to the German military and merchant marine, Stowa today produces aviation and Bauhaus-influenced watches prized for their authenticity and quality.

Founded
1927
Headquarters
Pforzheim, Germany
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Entry
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Flieger — Flieger is STOWA’s historic pilot-watch family, rooted in the original B-Uhr specification and offered in Type A and Type B dial layouts that preserve the classic cockpit readability. Key references: stowa_flieger_classic.
  • Marine — Marine is STOWA’s maritime-inspired watch family, drawing from the brand’s 1939 observation-watch heritage with highly legible dials, blued hands, and slim classical proportions. Key references: stowa_marine_classic.
  • Antea — Antea is STOWA’s Bauhaus-leaning dress-watch family, centered on restrained dials, thin cases, and minimalist German design language suited to everyday formal wear. Key references: stowa_bauhaus_family.
  • Partitio — Partitio is STOWA’s vintage-inspired collection, recognized for its fine minute scale, clean sector-style dial character, and a 1930s-derived design language that balances elegance with utility. Key references: stowa_partitio.

Timeline

  • 1927 — Walter Storz founds Stowa (STOrz WAtches) in Pforzheim, Germany, initially producing pocket watches and small clocks.
  • 1940 — Selected as one of five companies to produce B-Uhr pilot's watches for the German Luftwaffe during WWII.
  • 1996 — Jörg Schauer acquires and revives the Stowa brand, bringing back the Flieger and Marine collections with modern movements.
  • 2014 — Opens a new manufacture in Pforzheim, consolidating design, assembly, and sales in the brand's historic home city.

Frequently Asked Questions about Stowa

What is a B-Uhr?
B-Uhr (Beobachtungsuhr) means 'observation watch' — a specification issued by the German military in WWII for large, highly legible navigation watches. Only five brands were approved: Stowa, A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, Laco, and Wempe.
What movements does Stowa use?
Primarily ETA and Sellita Swiss automatic movements, some with proprietary modifications and Stowa-branded rotors. Select models use hand-wound calibres.

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