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4/24/2018 4 Comments

STOWA Antea Klassik 365  Automatic Watch Review - A taste of German Watchmaking and History

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Today fellow watch enthusiasts we are going to take a look at a traditional german watchmaker by the name
of STOWA ( Schto-Va ). Stowa has been around a very long time and you might have seen their famous pilot flieger watches during the world war 2 era but this model dates way back to 1937. This was a time when watches were generally smaller, mechanical as a standard, and in my opinion had a bit more class and elegance.

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History behind the Antea 365

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Original 1937 Stowa Antea Bauhaus

​The Antea Klassik 365 has been produced by STOWA since 1937, and at that time the “Bauhaus” design was relatively a new concept. Bauhaus style watches are generally simple, clean, elegant, and very traditional in look and size. The original design has not changed much and stays true to form as you can reference to the picture above. The design of the dials came from Weber & Baral, a german dial factory located in Pforzheim. Popular german watchmaker A. Lange Sohne actually produced the first style back in 1937 not too far from Stowa’s production ( picture below ) using the same exact dial manufacturer. In 2004 Stowa CEO Jörg Schauer re introduced the Antea line to the public, and in 2015 he updated the model a bit with designer Hartmut Esslinger which appeared a bit more fresh and modern while still utilizing the original bauhaus font.
( Original Dials from Weber and Baral )
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( A Gold Antea Model from Stowa 1930s )
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Case

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The 316L solid stainless steel polished case measures 36.5MM in diameter and and 9.2MM in height or thickness and certainly feels of quality upon first impressions. These dimensions are very traditional and certainly pay tribute to the older Antea models. Keep in mind the watch is also available in larger sizes as well. The lug to lug measures 18MM wide and features drilled lug holes which is a nice touch. This makes it a breeze to swap out straps daily if you love doing that as much as I do. In terms of finishing we get an almost mirror high polish finish which looks excellent and certainly no corners were cut on the finishing. This is a 3 piece case design containing the exhibition caseback, the case, and the bezel. This case is very circular in shape with longer thin lugs which help give the watch a bit of flare and substance and also it wears slightly bigger than a standard 36MM timepiece which is a good thing for me. The lug to lug distance comes in at a modest 45.6MM which wears more modern due to the long thin lugs. This watch can certainly be felt while the flat case rests beautifully on the wrist at a weight
of 52 Grams with the supplied cow leather strap. If you are afraid of getting the Antea wet while washing your hands or perhaps it starts to rain I would not be worried as it has a 50 Meter or 5 ATM water resistance rating. Although this certainly
is not a watch to submerge in the water or use for daily water activities. The pull/push crown is small
in size to match the case and is signed with the traditional STOWA logo.
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​Dial

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The Silver coated dial screams of pure class and elegance and almost appears an off white to the eye at a quick glance. A inner anti reflective coated sapphire crystal covers the dial. Bauhaus design and Stowa tradition are also exemplified wonderfully here with the thin black printed Stowa below 12:00 down to the thin numerals surrounding the dial and the markings as well. A date aperture matching the dial can be seen at the 6:00 position and is definitely legibile with the black numbers against the Silver coated bauhaus dial. One of the nice things about Stowa is they also use thin and long heat treated blue hands on this model which is a lengthy process and most often seen in luxury watchmaking.

Movement

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The model I have contains a top end Swiss Made ETA 2824-2 automatic self-winding movement containing 25 jewels. I assume most of you are familiar with this reliable, easy to service, and fairly accurate movement. Stowa also adds their own custom made rotor and heat treated blue screws for a bit of visual excitement and luxury. You can expect around 42 hours of power reserve and +5 seconds a day which is certainly good enough for me. The movement is also visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback held on by screws with a high polish and technical specification engraved around.

Strap

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Stowa’s ANTEA model came supplied with a genuine cow leather strap which is 18MM tapering down to
16MM. I definitely can smell the difference and feel the softness
of this cut when compared to say “Genuine Leather”. There is no need for a break-in period and it conforms straight out of the box. The strap is configured with a dual button butterfly clasp and a Signed yet Small and minimalist signed buckle. The underside is in an off white color with contract stitching and embossed “STOWA”.

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Conclusion

While there are certainly other watchmakers in todays time producing Bauhaus style watches, Stowa is one with real history and root in the beginning of the Bauhaus era and I must give them credit for that. They never cease to amaze me with their beautiful watches whether it be a Klassik Flieger which I previously reviewed or this more minimalist Bauhaus ANTEA model. They do not cut corners and offer a good value for your money from what I have experienced so far. This exact model configured sells for 857.14 EURO direct from STOWA ( Link Below ) and in all honesty I believe this is a fair price for buying into a piece of German Watchmaking history. I hope you
​enjoyed this article and please do drop me a comment with your personal thoughts below.

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Link Takes you to STOWA
Learn more about the ANTEA 365
https://bit.ly/2KkN5Fd

4 Comments
boris
4/27/2018 01:41:43 am

thanks for referring me here from the watch addict group
looks great!

Reply
koimaster link
4/27/2018 03:26:41 pm

Well done review. I have owned this watch in the past and like the simple dial, well made movement and classic lines. I posted a link to this review on the forum.

Reply
Erik Watch Addict link
4/27/2018 10:07:02 pm

Thanks so much Sir. Thanks for sharing it , always appreciated have a great weekend :-)

Reply
Sam Pastore
4/27/2018 10:06:19 pm

Hey WA , good to see a new article - Typically this isn't my style of watch but I did love the Flieger you reviewed id also love to somehow get my hands on a STOWA Diver because that agrees a bit more with my lifestyle , Im just not sure on the quality , any Retailers in USA?

Reply



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ROLEX HISTORY

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Rolex is a Swiss luxury watch brand that was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, England. The company originally began as Wilsdorf and Davis, but it was later renamed to Rolex in 1908.


The first Rolex watches were not manufactured in-house, but instead were made by other watchmakers and then branded with the Rolex name. However, Wilsdorf had a vision of creating a wristwatch that was both reliable and accurate, and he set out to develop his own movements.


In 1910, Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, which was a testament to the accuracy of the watch. Over the years, Rolex continued to innovate and develop new technologies and features, such as the first waterproof wristwatch in 1926, the first self-winding mechanism in 1931, and the first wristwatch with a date display in 1945.


Rolex has also been associated with several famous individuals, including explorers, athletes, and celebrities. For example, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Rolex watches when they became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Rolex has also been the official timekeeper of several sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.


Today, Rolex is one of the most recognized and respected luxury watch brands in the world, known for its quality, precision, and timeless style.

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OMEGA Watches History

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Omega is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The brand initially operated under the name La Generale Watch Co. and produced pocket watches.


In 1894, Omega revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the 19-ligne Omega Calibre, which was more accurate and reliable than any other watch movement of the time. This innovation earned Omega numerous awards and accolades, and the brand quickly became known for its precision and quality.


In 1903, Omega was chosen as the official timekeeper for the Gordon Bennett Cup, an international balloon race. This marked the beginning of Omega's long-standing relationship with sports timing and its reputation as a reliable and accurate timekeeper.


In 1932, Omega became the first brand to be awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit for its outstanding contribution to sports timing at the Olympic Games. Since then, Omega has been the official timekeeper for numerous Olympic Games, and its timekeeping technology has continued to evolve and improve.


In the 1950s and 1960s, Omega's watches were worn by famous explorers and adventurers, including Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during their ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, and Jacques Cousteau during his underwater expeditions.


In the 1960s, Omega introduced the Speedmaster, a chronograph watch that was originally designed for motorsports but became famous as the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The Speedmaster has since become one of Omega's most iconic and sought-after models.


Today, Omega continues to innovate and produce high-quality watches, including the Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville collections. The brand also continues to be the official timekeeper for numerous sporting events, including the Olympic Games and the America's Cup.

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BREITLING Watches History

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Breitling is a Swiss luxury watch brand that was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in the town of Saint-Imier in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. Initially, the company specialized in producing chronographs and other precision timepieces for scientific and industrial purposes.


In 1915, Breitling introduced the first wrist-worn chronograph with a separate pusher to control the start, stop, and reset functions, which made it easier to use than previous models. This innovation helped establish Breitling as a leading maker of chronographs and other precision timepieces.


During the 1930s and 1940s, Breitling continued to innovate with the introduction of the first chronograph with a second independent pusher, which allowed for the recording of multiple elapsed times. The company also developed the Huit Aviation Department, which produced wristwatches for pilots and other aviation professionals.


In the 1950s, Breitling introduced the Navitimer, a wristwatch with a built-in slide rule that allowed pilots to perform complex calculations in-flight. The Navitimer became an instant classic and remains one of Breitling's most popular models to this day.


In the 1960s, Breitling continued to produce innovative timepieces, including the Chrono-Matic, which was the first automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor. The company also introduced the Emergency, a wristwatch with a built-in distress beacon that could be activated in case of an emergency.


In the years since, Breitling has continued to produce innovative and high-quality timepieces for a variety of applications, including aviation, diving, and sports. The company has also maintained a strong commitment to precision and accuracy, with many of its watches featuring COSC-certified movements. Today, Breitling is recognized as one of the world's leading luxury watch brands, with a reputation for innovation, quality, and style.

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Longines

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Longines is a Swiss luxury watch company that was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz in the town of Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The company has a long and prestigious history in the world of watchmaking, and has been responsible for many innovations and milestones in the industry.


In the early days, Longines primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for precision and accuracy. By the end of the 19th century, Longines had become one of the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1912, the company introduced the first chronograph wristwatch, which was quickly adopted by the military and aviation communities.


In the 1920s and 1930s, Longines continued to innovate with the introduction of the world's first quartz clock and the first wristwatch with an automatic winding mechanism. During World War II, Longines produced wristwatches for the British Royal Air Force, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.


In the post-war years, Longines became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Conquest" line of watches. In the 1950s and 1960s, Longines was a favorite of celebrities and politicians, and its watches were frequently seen on the wrists of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, and other famous figures.


In recent years, Longines has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "HydroConquest" line of diving watches and its "Conquest Classic" line of chronographs.


Today, Longines is owned by the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the luxury watch industry. Its watches are prized for their precision, reliability, and timeless style.

Tissot

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Tissot is a Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile Tissot in the town of Le Locle, Switzerland. The company has a long and rich history in the world of watchmaking, and has been responsible for many innovations and milestones in the industry.


In the early days, Tissot primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for quality and precision. By the end of the 19th century, Tissot was one of the largest watchmakers in Switzerland, and was exporting its watches to countries around the world.


In the early 20th century, Tissot continued to innovate with the introduction of the first non-magnetic wristwatch, the first dual time-zone watch, and the first watch with a plastic case. During World War II, Tissot produced watches for the Allied forces, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.


In the post-war years, Tissot became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Tissot Visodate" line of watches, which featured a date function and a distinctive "T" logo on the dial. In the 1970s, Tissot was one of the first Swiss watch brands to introduce quartz watches, which quickly became popular due to their accuracy and affordability.


In recent years, Tissot has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "T-Touch" line of watches, which feature touch-screen technology and a range of functions such as altimeter, compass, and thermometer.


Today, Tissot is part of the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the watch industry. Its watches are prized for their quality, durability, and stylish design, and are worn by watch enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

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The main component of a mechanical movement is the mainspring, a spring that gradually unwinds and transmits energy. A mechanical watch will keep accurate time despite requiring winding up if it's manual. ... Inside an automatic watch sits a small weighted rotor that has to oscillate in order to wind the mainspring.

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