Zeppelin
Ismaning, Germany · Est. 1997
Founded by Lothar Schmidt
The family-owned company POINTtec from Munich-Ismaning produces the Zeppelin brand — aviation-inspired watches named after the legendary airships of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Each collection celebrates a milestone in German aviation history with reliable movements, retro-modern dials and that distinctly German combination of romance and precision.
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- Ismaning, Germany
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin — Collection inspired by the famous Graf Zeppelin airship, featuring aviator-style dials with classic Bauhaus-influenced design.
- LZ 129 Hindenburg — Elegant collection paying tribute to the Hindenburg airship, with moonphase and power-reserve complications in Art Deco cases.
- 100 Years Zeppelin — Anniversary collection celebrating a century of Zeppelin aviation history with automatic movements and retro-inspired dial layouts.
Timeline
- 1987 — Lothar Schmidt founds PointTec Electronic GmbH in Ismaning, near Munich, Germany.
- 1997 — Launches the Zeppelin watch brand, inspired by the golden age of German airship travel.
- 2000 — The LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin collection becomes the brand's signature, earning a following for its aviator aesthetic and German engineering.
- 2008 — Introduces the LZ 129 Hindenburg collection with moonphase and power-reserve complications at accessible price points.
- 2020 — Expands the product range with new Captain's Line and Atlantic models; brand remains popular in Germany and Japan for its retro aviation aesthetic.
- 2025 — POINTtec continues producing Zeppelin alongside sister brand Iron Annie, maintaining the aviation-inspired vintage aesthetic at accessible price points with Miyota and Sellita movements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zeppelin
- Are Zeppelin watches German-made?
- Zeppelin is a German brand based near Munich. Many models use German-assembled cases with reliable Japanese or Swiss movements, positioned as affordable heritage watches.
- What is the connection to airships?
- The brand is officially licensed to use the Zeppelin name and imagery, celebrating the golden age of German airship travel in its design language and collection names.