Lilienthal Watches – Products Made in Berlin

Lilienthal Berlin designs watches in the spirit of the Bauhaus in Friedrichshain and sells them almost entirely through its own online shop. The brand name goes back to the aviation pioneer Otto Lilienthal, the movements come from Sellita and Miyota, the entry model costs 189 euros, and the team has collected over thirty design prizes.

Designed between Boxhagener Platz and Ostkreuz

Lilienthal Berlin has its seat at Boxhagener Strasse 78 in Friedrichshain, halfway between Boxhagener Platz and Ostkreuz. The street follows an old country road that ran from Koepenick past the Boxhagen estate into Berlin, and it has carried its present name since 1920. Anyone expecting a shop at this address will look in vain, because what sits here is the office of the brand; selling happens through the companys own online shop and through specialist dealers across Germany. The business was founded in 2015 by Jacques Colman and Michael Gilli, and today Jacques Colman and Mark Steinberg run it, with between eleven and fifty people working for the brand. The name comes from Otto Lilienthal, the aviation pioneer who made his gliding attempts in and around Berlin. The nearest stations are Frankfurter Tor and Ostkreuz, and all around lies the quarter between Simon-Dach-Strasse and Rummelsburger Bucht.

Swiss movements, sapphire crystal and watches from 189 euros

The range begins with the watches and by now reaches through sunglasses and backpacks to wallets and spare straps. The designs follow a clear line with plain dials, plenty of empty surface and little decoration. Technically there is more behind them than the price suggests. The cases are made of surgical grade 316L stainless steel, above the dial sits sapphire crystal or sapphire-hardened mineral glass depending on the model, and the straps are made from vegetable-tanned leather, cactus leather or recycled polyester. As movements Lilienthal Berlin fits quartz calibres and automatic movements from Sellita in Switzerland and Miyota in Japan. The model ranges are called Huxley, Chronograph, Neolux, Nuvora, Octachrono and Zeitgeist Automatik, the Zeitgeist Automatik being assembled in Germany while the other models are made in Shenzhen. The entry model Huxley costs 189 euros, and every model carries three years of guarantee. Whoever wants more finds bags and sunglasses in the same design language.