Zeppelin watches – German design and the story of the airships
Zeppelin watches are made in Germany, with names and designs inspired by Count Zeppelin’s airships. They cost around €300–850 in our shop. The range includes automatic watches, chronographs and moon-phase models for men and women. Below, we explain where the brand finds its stories, how the collections differ and which Zeppelin suits whom.
Count Zeppelin and the airships
The word zeppelin comes from Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s name. His first airship, LZ 1, made its first test flight on 2 July 1900 over Lake Constance near Manzell. In 1908, the count founded Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH. He died in 1917, but airships bearing his name continued to fly for years.
According to the watch manufacturer, Zeppelins were a technological marvel and the most elegant way to travel in the 1920s and 1930s. LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin began regular flights to South America in 1931. LZ 129 Hindenburg was the largest Zeppelin to carry passengers across the Atlantic. Its story ended with the Lakehurst disaster on 6 May 1937. These names and the style of that era form the basis of Zeppelin watches.
Who makes Zeppelin watches?
Zeppelin is a brand of the German watch company POINTtec. POINTtec describes itself as a medium-sized, independent family company with over 30 years of experience in watch design and development. The models are designed in-house, and the watches are made in Germany at the company’s own production facility in Ruhla. The company also owns the Iron Annie and Bauhaus brands.
Collections and their names
Many Zeppelin collections bear the names of famous airships, such as LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin, LZ 129 Hindenburg and LZ 126 Los Angeles; others refer to travel and the style of the era. The watches have a classic appearance, stainless steel cases and slightly vintage-style dials. The collections differ mainly in their movements and details.
| Collection | Distinguishing features | Example in our shop |
|---|---|---|
| LZ 129 Hindenburg | 40 mm, quartz and automatic models | 7038-3 (quartz), 8066M-3_N (automatic) |
| LZ 14 Marine | chronographs and women’s moon-phase watches | LZ 14 Marine 8888-2 |
| 100 Jahre Zeppelin | domed dial and crystal, contemporary details | 7680M-2 |
| Méditerranée | moon-phase display | Méditerranée 9636-3 |
| Atlantic | automatic, transparent case back | Atlantic 8470-3 |
| New Captain’s Line | automatic, 24-hour display | New Captain’s Line 8662-3 |
Here are a few examples of how these watches look. The Atlantic 8470-3 has a blue dial with silver numerals and luminescent hands, plus a cognac-brown leather strap with white stitching. The New Captain’s Line 8662-3 also has a blue dial with white numerals and a leather strap. The LZ 14 Marine 8888-2 has a black dial with glow-in-the-dark numerals and hands. A blue dial and brown leather strap pair well with brown shoes and a jacket, while a black dial works with black or grey clothing.
Automatic or quartz?
The Zeppelin automatic watches in our range use Japanese Citizen-Miyota movements. For example, the Atlantic 8470-3 runs on a Miyota 8217 movement with 21 jewels and a 40-hour power reserve. You can see the movement working through the see-through case back. Citizen-Miyota automatic movements are also used in Hindenburg and New Captain’s Line automatic models. An automatic watch winds itself through arm movements and does not need battery changes. If it is not worn and the power reserve runs out, you need to restart it and reset the time.
Zeppelin often uses Swiss Ronda movements in its quartz models. A quartz watch is accurate and needs no daily attention. Quartz movements also power more complex displays: the LZ 14 Marine 8888-2 is a 42 mm chronograph with a Ronda 5030.D movement, while the Méditerranée 9636-3 displays the moon phase using a Ronda 706.1 movement. If you are unsure which to choose, read our article automatic, quartz or solar-powered.
The Zeppelin models mentioned here have K1 mineral crystal and 5 bar water resistance. To learn what that figure means in everyday use, read the watch water resistance article.
Zeppelin for women
Women’s Zeppelin watches measure 34–36 mm and share the same period style. Zeppelin Grace Lady 7441-2N (36 mm) is an everyday watch from the Grace series. LZ 14 Marine Moonphase 8637M-3 (36 mm) displays the moon phase, a small detail that makes the watch special. The Edition Porcelain Lady 7317-1 measures 34 mm and suits a slimmer wrist.
Who is Zeppelin for?
- If you want your first automatic watchwith a classic look and a story of its own.
- As a gift for a maninterested in aviation, technology or history.
- For the office and dressier occasions. A 40–42 mm case suits most men’s wrists and pairs well with a blazer and dress shirt.
- For those who like details such as a moon-phase display, 24-hour display or transparent case back.
We are an authorised Zeppelin retailer, and all watches come with a 2-year warranty. You can also pay for a more expensive watch with ESTO instalments. Your order can be delivered to a parcel locker (SmartPost, Omniva, DPD), with free delivery on orders of €50 or more. Browse all Zeppelin watches.