Watches from a unified Glashütte
Like “Swiss made” and even more valuable than “Made in Germany”: 33 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, “Glashütte” is by far the best-protected designation of origin in Germany. This is another milestone for the watchmaking town of Glashütte. Here are a few details.
GLASHÜTTE, NOVEMBER 2022. 33 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall—and now another turning point: The German Bundesrat has passed the Glashütte Regulation, the legal definition of Made in Glashütte for watches. Thus, as of this year, “Glashütte” is the best-protected designation of origin in Germany. The town may be smaller than the country, but the requirements are even more stringent and detailed than those for “Made in Germany”: “Made in Glashütte” now trumps “Made in Germany.”
Experts say that the special protection afforded by the Glashütte designation will increase the value of watches made here even further. But what else is behind it, and what does the new Regulation entail? Here are seven questions and seven answers.
1. What is the law on which the Regulation is based?
The Glashütte Regulation (German: “Glashütte-Verordnung”) regulates the protection of the Glashütte designation of origin for watches on the basis of the law on the protection of trademarks and other distinctive attributes. Its name: Trademark Law (German: "Markengesetz"). Section 137 of the law sets out more detailed provisions for the protection of individual designations of origin.
2. What exactly does the new Regulation protect, and what does it protect against?
Basically, the Glashütte Regulation protects consumers and other market participants by ensuring compliance with quality standards for watches bearing the “Glashütte” designation of origin. It protects against deception. It does so in two ways: A) It protects against external deceit—for example, when watches that do not meet the legal requirements enter Germany. B) It protects against internal deceit—for example, when a local manufacturer exploits the good reputation of Glashütte by not acting in the way set out in the Regulation.
3. However, local manufacturers had already agreed upon a common standard before this. So why is this Regulation significant now?
Glashütte is only the second instance of a special status being accorded to a technical product in Germany in the form of a geographical designation of origin. The prestige associated with this is enormous.
“Glashütte” is now therefore clearly the best-protected designation of origin in Germany. Admittedly, “Solingen” is also a protected designation of origin, and legal protection has existed since 1938 (confirmed in 1994). The Glashütte Regulation, however, is more detailed and the most precise stipulations possible according to today’s standards.
Moreover, the Glashütte Regulation is also significant because it has the same function as the equally prestigious “Swiss made.” In addition, the Glashütte Regulation only applies to a town, not to an entire country. In Switzerland, all levels of quality exist, while the town of Glashütte is a specialized hub of skilled expertise. Within this very small area, everything is done “for the watch”—the industry is highly focused. You could therefore say that it is even more valuable. The special protection now enjoyed by the Glashütte designation will in fact increase the value of watches produced here even further.
4. What do watch manufacturers in Glashütte now have to pay attention to?
These manufacturing stages must be carried out entirely in Glashütte: assembling and starting the movement, fine adjustment, assembling the dial, placement of the hands and casing the movement.
In addition, it is stipulated that “in the essential stages of manufacture, a total of more than 50 percent of the added value must be generated in the region of origin.” Essential stages of manufacture within the meaning of the Regulation are:
1. Manufacturing or finishing of parts of the movement,
2. Assembly of parts of the movement,
3. Starting the movement,
4. Fine adjustment,
5. Assembly of the dial,
6. Placement of the hands,
7. Final inspection of the movement, and
8. Chronometer certification, insofar as this is carried out in Glashütte.
5. What has changed for NOMOS Glashütte with the Regulation? Or what will now change?
For NOMOS Glashütte, nothing will change in terms of manufacturing because the manufacturer already far exceeds these criteria. For example, virtually all parts for NOMOS movements are produced in-house in Glashütte-Schlottwitz—a unique trait and a true exception!
This is changing, however. What manufacturers like NOMOS Glashütte have been doing here for decades and years is finally being recognized through this Regulation. Corresponding investments and efforts will now be better protected from counterfeiters. In this regard, it is important to invest in training the next generation and push for technical development. As a result, jobs in Glashütte are secure. Above all, however, watch buyers benefit. They can now be sure: When it bears the word “Glashütte,” it truly is from Glashütte. With this Regulation, the good reputation of Glashütte’s quality has been confirmed by the highest authorities. This also increases their value for collectors and affirms that Glashütte watches are valuable investments.
6. What sanctions will be imposed on those who violate the new Regulation?
Failure to comply with the Regulation will now result in sanctions equivalent to those for trademark violations (the violation of the Glashütte Regulation is equated with the violation of the Trademark Law). With the establishment of a legal framework through the Glashütte Regulation it is now much easier than before to lodge complaints for suspected abuse of the Regulation.
7. What preceded the Glashütte Regulation?
20 years of arduous work, in which all interested parties and ministry representatives, state and federal politicians were repeatedly brought to the same table. Attorney-at-law Dr. Wolfgang Straub, who has closely followed the history and prehistory of the Glashütte Regulation since the early 1990s, says: “Perseverance and patience have paid off. Thanks to the new Regulation, the good reputation of Glashütte as a designation of origin, which was earned over more than 175 years, is now securely protected.”
Your contact:
Oliver Nyikos
NOMOS Glashütte
PR department
+49 35053 404-481
pr@glashuette.com
About NOMOS Glashütte:
NOMOS Glashütte is one of the few owner-operated watch manufactories in the world, and creates its mechanical timepieces in Glashütte, Germany. Watch models such as the Tangente, Ludwig, Orion, Club or Metro are world-famous—just like the place where they are made. Glashütte is a legally protected designation of origin. Only manufacturers who work according to strict rules in the 175-year-old tradition of the watchmaking town are permitted to use this denomination for their wristwatches. NOMOS Glashütte is the manufacturer that produces the most mechanical watches in Glashütte.
