Inhorgenta Talk: Hannes Steim (Junghans CEO) on the relevance of classic wristwatches and the jewelry store experience
When you enter Hall A1 of Inhorgenta, Junghans’ spacious exhibition area immediately catches your eye. At the 2026 edition, the Schramberg-based watch manufacturer presented itself with a newly designed stand – a symbol of the brand’s current strategy for the future, which is closely linked to managing director Hannes Steim.
The Steim family of entrepreneurs took over the long-established Schramberg-based company back in 2009. Hannes Steim has been responsible for Junghans’ fortunes as managing director since 2023. At Inhorgenta, he spoke to Insight Luxury about the history of the brand, the fascination of classic wristwatches, and the importance of specialist retailers.
The classic wristwatch as an alternative to digital timing
Insight Luxury: For years, people have been saying that classic wristwatches are on their way out—first because of smartphones, then because of smartwatches. But demand is still high, even among young people. Why is that?
Hannes Steim: I think it has a lot to do with our fast-paced lifestyle today. The classic watch is, in a sense, the antithesis of that. In the past, people used to orient themselves by the position of the sun or the church clock—today, every minute seems to count.
At the same time, many people are increasingly seeking a work-life balance and moments in which emotions and personal values are more important than constant efficiency. In our fast-paced, information-overloaded world, there is a growing desire for a slower pace of life, tradition, and things with history.
This is precisely what a classic wristwatch can offer. It can evoke memories of previous generations or even be a genuine heirloom—such as an engraved watch that a father received for decades of service to a company. In this way, a watch also becomes a symbol of personal history, security, and a moment of pause in everyday life.
Junghans new products 2026
Technology, emotion, and practical benefits
IL: But a wristwatch also has a practical use.
HS: Of course. It’s a piece of jewelry that also tells the time. A mechanical watch may not be as accurate as the digital display on a smartphone—but that’s precisely where its charm lies.
In a world where everything seems to need to be optimized, a mechanical watch exudes a certain serenity. At the same time, it contains fascinating technology in a very small space. Many people are amazed when they see a mechanical movement in detail for the first time and observe how all the tiny gears mesh together perfectly.
Unlike digital devices, you can see how it works. You can wear this little marvel on your wrist and admire it at any time. Collecting watches is also easy: they take up very little space.
A classic wristwatch combines emotion, technology, and practicality—and thus becomes a projection screen for deceleration and personal stories.
Hannes Steim
Aquaris by Junghans
IL: Apparently, this also reaches younger target groups.
HS: Absolutely. We are seeing more young people demanding mechanical watches again—perhaps precisely because of the smartwatch, which is strongly associated with optimization and constant availability.
Many people are simply tired of being constantly online and available. Especially when spending time with family or friends, you don’t want to be constantly interrupted by messages, vibration alerts, or step counters.
The classic wristwatch, on the other hand, conveys a feeling of being offline and self-determined. That is why it will remain relevant in the future—regardless of whether it is larger or smaller, more colorful or more minimalist in design.
New momentum for the Junghans brand
IL: You have been managing director of Junghans since 2022. What conclusions have you drawn so far?
HS: We have been working on many things, including the topic of history. We have such a long and exciting history, and I believe it is extremely important to engage with it—including older models. All of this is a source of inspiration and serves to sharpen our DNA.
In addition, we have expanded our focus to include international markets where we previously had less of a presence. And we have further developed our collections and added color. We have also driven forward and completed technical developments.
IL: When you took over as managing director, you wanted to move Junghans out of the niche of minimalist design, where the brand had become somewhat complacent. Did the concept work?
HS: It was definitely a learning process. And we’ve seen that it works. Of course, we’ve gone a little overboard here and there, but overall, the new, carefully revised collection portfolio has been very well received.
This has also led to us now being perceived in a completely different, more modern way. This is immensely important in times of difficult conditions. But the process is not yet complete.
Next year, we will be celebrating 100 years of Junghans wristwatches, so there will be some exciting new designs.
Hannes Steim
IL: Did you make any special discoveries during your research into the history of the brand?
HS: Many. A particularly spectacular story occurred last year. A man called me and told me that his father had passed away and left behind a large Junghans collection.
When I visited him, I suddenly found myself standing on the third floor of his house in front of around 1,400 clocks—from wall and grandfather clocks to pocket and ship’s clocks to around 650 wristwatches, plus numerous spare parts. Everything was perfectly sorted—and right in the middle of Schramberg. I was truly speechless—and that rarely happens.
We were able to acquire this collection and thus significantly expand our archive. This is not just about looking back into the past. It is about the question: What does Junghans stand for – in the past, today, and in the future? Such finds are not only historically exciting, but also a valuable source of inspiration for future Junghans watches.
IL: You also want to bring the past and future together at the Terrace Construction Museum in Schramberg. When I visited you in Schramberg in early 2024, I saw a lot of cuckoo clocks there.
HS: Exactly. Because that’s where we also showcase the history of watchmaking in the Black Forest – and that naturally includes cuckoo clocks. But there is now much more Junghans in the terrace construction, which we would like to establish as a kind of “Junghans World.”
For example, the special exhibition “Junghans Wristwatches – Milestones in Watch History” is currently running. The occasion is the 100th anniversary of our first wristwatch next year.
IL: Listening to you, one gets the impression that you really enjoy your job.
HS: Yes, I love my job; it gives me a tremendous amount of pleasure. We have a very emotional product that is also part of Germany’s industrial history. It is very multifaceted, like reading an exciting book that you are allowed to continue writing yourself.
Specialist retailers as key partners
IL: So you are interested in the next chapters in Junghans’ history. What challenges will shape the next chapter for the entire watch industry?
HS: One important issue concerns specialist retailers. Many jewelers are facing a succession problem because it is difficult for young entrepreneurs to finance a business takeover.
In addition, customer expectations have changed. Today, purchasing a product should be an experience. As manufacturers, we are also called upon to support jewelers so that they remain attractive as points of sale for watches.
IL: So specialist retailers play a key role for Junghans?
HS: That’s right. Of course, you can buy watches online. But it’s extremely important to try a watch on your wrist. Two models with the same diameter can look completely different depending on the shape of the case or the lugs, and feel completely different when worn.
That’s why I always advise people to go to a jeweler and try on the watch. Often, all it takes is a different strap, and a watch that was thought to be for men suddenly fits perfectly on a woman’s wrist. In addition, the jeweler can explain the technology and help you avoid operating errors.
In short: Specialist retailers are key partners for us—only when they are strong can we be strong too.
Hannes Steim
Experience and service as decisive added value
IL: How can jewelers remain relevant to end consumers in the future?
HS: Expertise, service, and experience are crucial. A good product range and trained staff who can convey both the technical and emotional aspects of a watch are extremely important.
A nice example: An Italian dealer recently wrote to us via WhatsApp because he was looking for a strap for an older radio-controlled watch for a customer. We actually found one in our warehouse and brought it to him at Inhorgenta.
The retailer sent his customer photos of the watch, as well as photos of our new products at the trade fair – and the customer immediately purchased four Junghans watches. This clearly shows that the added value of personal service, which only specialist retailers can offer, has a positive effect on desirability and sales.
IL: What role does the Inhorgenta B2B trade fair play for Junghans?
HS: It is a very important trade fair for us, and the A1 watch hall is developing positively. Here we meet our jewelers, talk to our customers, and exchange experiences with international visitors. Everything is very confidential and takes place in a relaxed atmosphere.
That’s why I’m rather critical of opening up the trade fair to end consumers. If consumers were standing at the booth at the same time, many of these confidential discussions would be much more difficult.
