Bauhaus - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Bauhaus is a German watch brand founded in 2017 by Pointtec, the company also behind Zeppelin and Iron Annie. Based in Ismaning near Munich, Pointtec chose to name this new brand after the famous Bauhaus artistic movement born in 1919 in Weimar. The Bauhaus school advocated a functional and rational approach to design, where every detail had to serve a purpose. Applied to watchmaking, this spirit translates into sober, legible watches stripped of unnecessary decoration. Pointtec’s goal is clear: to offer quality German-made watches faithful to Bauhaus principles, at accessible prices, relying on the watchmaking tradition of Ruhla and on proven movements.

The origins of the brand and the Bauhaus influence

The creation of Bauhaus as a watch brand cannot be understood without recalling what the artistic movement represented. Founded by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus school (1919–1933) transformed architecture, design and applied arts by promoting aesthetics where function came first. Clean lines, absence of superfluous ornament, use of simple typography and geometric harmony became its hallmarks. The motto “form follows function” lies at the heart of this philosophy, and it directly inspires the watch brand today.

Pointtec, already known for its thematic brands Zeppelin (aviation) and Iron Annie (aircraft heritage), decided to devote an entire brand to this design heritage. The choice of the Bauhaus name is bold yet coherent: it ties German watchmaking identity to a globally recognized artistic current, symbolizing clarity and modernity.

Production rooted in Germany: the Ruhla workshop

To bring Bauhaus watches to life, Pointtec relies on the city of Ruhla, Thuringia. This city has a long watchmaking tradition dating back to the 19th century and hosted famous manufactures during the GDR era. Today, the modernized factory serves as a production center for several Pointtec brands, ensuring authentic German roots. Producing in Germany allows continuity with local history and guarantees rigorous quality control.

Bauhaus watches use reliable components: Miyota (Japan) for most quartz and automatic models, sometimes ETA or Sellita (Switzerland) for higher-end editions. Stainless steel cases, sapphire crystals and leather straps are selected for durability. This combination of German assembly and proven movements allows affordable prices while maintaining credibility.

A minimalist and coherent visual language

The strength of Bauhaus lies in its coherent aesthetic. Dials feature fine, clean typography inspired by 1920s modernist fonts. Indexes are simple: baton markers, straightforward Arabic numerals, or discrete geometric marks. Hands are straight, sometimes slightly tapered, always designed for maximum legibility. The absence of unnecessary decoration reinforces the timeless character of the models.

The color palette also reflects Bauhaus inspiration: white, silver or black dials, sometimes accented with primary colors (red, blue, yellow) in reference to works by Kandinsky or Mondrian. Cases remain simple and round, with slim lugs and balanced proportions. The result is a sense of functional modernity that appeals both to design enthusiasts and to those looking for a discreet daily watch.

Collections and key models

The Bauhaus catalog is organized into several families. Each line interprets minimalist design in its own way:

• Bauhaus Automatic — mechanical automatic watches, mostly powered by Miyota 82S5 or 9015, sometimes Sellita. They offer excellent value, with standard power reserve and refined finishing. Some versions feature skeletonized dials exposing part of the movement.
• Bauhaus Quartz — more affordable models, powered by reliable Japanese quartz calibers. Their precision and simplicity appeal to those who want a functional watch with minimal maintenance.
• Bauhaus Chronograph — sportier interpretation, integrating discreet subdials for time measurement. Despite the added function, dials remain legible and uncluttered.
• Bauhaus Ladies — feminine line applying the same minimalist codes with smaller cases and sometimes colorful dials. Some references use mother-of-pearl accents while staying faithful to Bauhaus spirit.
• Bauhaus Limited Editions — special runs exploring vivid colors or Bauhaus-inspired graphics, appealing to collectors of modern design objects.

This segmentation enables Bauhaus to reach different audiences: young professionals, design lovers, mechanical watch enthusiasts, or consumers seeking a reliable everyday companion. The variety remains unified by a clear aesthetic identity.

Comparison with other German brands

Bauhaus is often compared to German counterparts with similar inspiration. Nomos Glashütte also embodies Bauhaus minimalism, but in a much higher segment, with prices ranging from 1500 to over 10,000 euros. Junghans, another historic brand, became known for its Max Bill line, designed by a Bauhaus-trained artist. Bauhaus by Pointtec distinguishes itself by taking a more democratic approach, offering watches between 200 and 500 euros, thus opening the aesthetic to a much wider audience.

This positioning is deliberate: delivering Bauhaus design in an affordable quartz or mechanical watch, without major compromise on quality. This makes Bauhaus a gateway for those interested in modernist design who cannot or do not wish to invest in a Nomos or high-end Junghans.

Price positioning and market strategy

Bauhaus prices vary depending on the collection: 200–300 euros for quartz, 300–600 euros for automatics, and up to 800 euros for some chronographs or limited editions. This pricing places the brand in the entry to mid-range segment, a highly competitive market also populated by Swiss brands like Tissot and Certina and Japanese players like Seiko and Orient.

The brand’s differentiating arguments rest on two pillars: a strong design identity and authentic German production. These qualities enable Bauhaus not only to compete domestically but also to grow internationally. It quickly attracted customers in Europe, North America and Asia, where the Bauhaus term already carries cultural prestige.

International reception and target clientele

Within a few years, Bauhaus built a loyal following. Fans of minimalist design, whether seasoned collectors or simple style enthusiasts, see in these watches a credible alternative to more prestigious brands. The Bauhaus name itself is a cultural lever, immediately evoking modernity, rationality and timelessness.

The clientele is diverse: young professionals seeking a first mechanical watch, admirers of German design, collectors drawn to limited runs with graphic dials, and women looking for elegant, discreet pieces. In all cases, the purchase of a Bauhaus watch is driven as much by attachment to the style as by appreciation of the price-to-quality balance.

Conclusion

Bauhaus has emerged as a contemporary German watch brand that successfully translates into its collections the spirit of the artistic movement it is named after. Through production anchored in Ruhla, aesthetic coherence inspired by modernism, and accessible pricing, it appeals to international audiences in search of sobriety and functionality. Comparisons with Junghans or Nomos reinforce its legitimacy while highlighting its distinction: making Bauhaus design accessible to a broad public. Choosing among its models means deciding between quartz simplicity, mechanical authenticity or chronograph expressiveness, but in all cases, the decision is best guided by Dialicious customer reviews, reflecting the real-life experiences of daily wearers.

(Updated August 2025)