Today we will analyze Zeppelin watches, one of the German brands that currently offer the best value for money in their mechanical and quartz designs.
Zeppelin is a brand of German watches that offers classic designs inspired by the history of famous airships, from which it derives its name.
They generally manufacture watches with Japanese mechanisms (usually Miyota), which allows them to reduce costs without compromising the quality that characterizes German craftsmanship.
Although the brand offers designs in all price ranges, it is also possible to find Zeppelin watches with more expensive Swiss ETA movements.
In this article, we will thoroughly analyze the features of Zeppelin watches, as well as the history of the company and the best models they currently produce.
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✚ Zeppelin Watches: History and Origin
The history of Zeppelin watches dates back to 1899 when Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin created the first airship that gave the brand its name.
Von Zeppelin was a German count and the founder of the company Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH, which between 1900 and 1938 designed and built nearly 100 airships with 27 different designs.
The most famous ones, known for being major engineering milestones in air transportation of goods and people, were the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin and LZ 129 Hindenburg models.
Both had a range of thousands of kilometers and for years made transatlantic journeys connecting Europe with America.
Unfortunately, on May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg caught fire while landing, resulting in the death of 35 people, marking the end of the era of airships.
While the pioneering aviator has little to do with Zeppelin watches, the brand draws inspiration from its most famous aircraft to name the classic watches it produces.
In fact, the most well-known Zeppelin watches are precisely the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin and LZ 129 Hindenburg models, of which there are several versions, both mechanical and quartz.
Currently, Zeppelin watches are manufactured by the German company PointTec, also known for producing Junkers watches. Hence, the similarities that can be seen in the designs of both brands.
✚ Are Zeppelin Watches Good?
Although PointTec is a relatively new German watchmaker (founded in 1987), it does not affect the quality of its designs, which are always made with the best components.
In the case of Zeppelin watches, we are talking about classic designs on the outside but with updated and proven reliable mechanisms on the inside.
PointTec imports movements from Japan and Switzerland depending on each design, using Japanese movements for the more affordable models and Swiss movements for the higher-end ones.
The automatic mechanical models can integrate Swiss ETA or Miyota movements, while the quartz models usually use Ronda calibers, also of Swiss origin.
Generally, the models that offer the best value for money use Japanese Miyota calibers, which are much more affordable than Swiss ones but equally reliable.
In this way, the brand can offer competitive prices without compromising the quality and good performance of its watches.
Externally, stainless steel and leather are the predominant materials. In this brand, you won’t find any low-cost components. Everything in the brand is designed to last.
| Crystal | Hesalite |
|---|---|
| Movement | Automatic mechanical |
| Caliber | Miyota 9100 |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Weight | 61 grams |
| Materials | Stainless steel case and leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM (30 meters) |
Additionally, Zeppelin watches bear the “Made in Germany” seal, which implies that they undergo the strict quality controls characteristic of the German industry.
In conclusion, these watches are made to last, manufactured with excellent attention to detail. Therefore, we can affirm that they are good, especially considering their price.
✚ The Best Zeppelin Watches
The flagship models of the brand are mostly classic designs named after airships. The most well-known ones are the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin, LZ 129 Hindenburg, and 100 Years Zeppelin models.
➤ LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin
As an aircraft, the LZ 127 was a major engineering milestone, offering the first commercial passenger flight crossing the Atlantic Ocean without stops.
Regarding the watches in this series, we can see a vintage, almost minimalist design with a clear focus on visibility. Large Arabic numerals and hands that usually stand out against the background.
These watches are made of polished stainless steel with straps that are usually made of leather or Milanese mesh and mineral crystal.
The automatic models also feature a transparent case back, allowing you to admire the mechanism from the back of the watch.
In terms of movement, you can find Swiss Ronda movements in the quartz models and ETA or Miyota in the automatic ones.
➤ LZ 129 Hindenburg
The Hindenburg was the largest airship ever built at the time, the flagship of the company with all the luxury details and the ability to cross the Atlantic with 72 passengers on board.
The watches in the LZ 129 Hindenburg series continue the legacy by offering a retro and elegant design that transports you directly to 1900.
The polished stainless steel case, curved mineral crystal, and minimalist hour markers give this design a unique classic look.
Inside, we find a Japanese Miyota automatic movement, which is both precise and affordable, and can be seen through the transparent case back.
The collection also includes some quartz models, equipped with Swiss ETA movements, which are also quite affordable but without the transparent case back.
➤ 100 Years Zeppelin
This anniversary collection was created to commemorate 100 years since the birth of Zeppelin, combining classic and modern elements to create an elegant and functional watch.
Therefore, it is not uncommon to find watches in this collection that combine dome dials with chronographs, dual time zones, and even alarms.
All of them are made of satin-finished stainless steel and hand-finished with the classic airship shape on the edge of the case.
In terms of movement, the collection mainly uses Swiss calibers, Ronda in the quartz movements, and ETA in the automatic models.
There is also a premium model with a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7753 movement, an automatic caliber that incorporates a chronograph and a tachymeter. Additionally, it features a sapphire crystal.
✚ Prices and Reviews
There are very few watches from this brand that receive any criticism because the quality of the materials and the meticulous assembly in Germany are high, making it very difficult to find any defective models.
When combined with a price often well below what other brands offer for the same features, we have an ideal watch for getting started in the world of classic designs, especially in the case of automatic models.
It is a watch that will last for many years with minimal maintenance and will likely become one of the centerpiece in your collection, even though it is also one of the more affordable options.
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Last update of links and images on 2024-05-02.
