Askania

Askania is a watchmaker based in Berlin, Germany, with a history closely connected to aviation. The company makes pilot watches and other timepieces inspired by earlier watch and instrument designs. From 1921, Askania produced aircraft clocks, compass systems, altimeters, speedometers and artificial horizon instruments. Its equipment was used in civil and military aviation, including aircraft operated by Lufthansa. The company's present watch collections continue this connection between timekeeping and flight.

Askania Pilot Watches

Askania makes watches that draw on its history of aviation instruments and pilot timepieces.

Its collections include designs based on earlier watches, limited special editions and models with luminous dials.

The company also lists watches connected with aviation history, including designs that refer to early commercial airports.

Other models pay tribute to people who played a part in the development of flight.

Askania also makes watches with quartz movements.

The brand provides an experience where participants can build a watch with their own hands.

For people interested in pilot watches, these products connect modern timepieces with older methods of measuring time and supporting navigation.

A History of Aviation Instruments

The company's roots go back to 1871, when Carl Bamberg established a precision engineering business in Berlin.

Bamberg came from a watchmaking family and had worked under the guidance of Carl Zeiss.

The business later became part of Askania's history.

ASKANIA-WERKE AG was founded in 1921 following a merger involving the Central-Werkstatt für Gasgeräte GmbH.

During the following decades, Askania produced equipment for aircraft navigation.

Its instruments included onboard clocks, compass systems, altimeters, airspeed indicators and artificial horizons.

As aircraft became faster, accurate instruments became increasingly important for flight navigation.

Askania and Early Aviation Pioneers

Askania equipment was connected with important long-distance flights.

Its instruments supported the Junkers W33 Bremen during the first east-to-west Atlantic crossing.

The aircraft flew from Ireland to Newfoundland in 36 hours without a radio.

Askania instruments were also associated with pilot Elly Beinhorn.

Beinhorn began as an aerobatic pilot and later completed long-distance flights during the 1930s.

Her Bf 108 Taifun carried Askania onboard instruments.

These aircraft and pilots form part of the company's aviation history.

The Return to Watchmaking

Interest in the earlier Askania pilot watches helped inspire the company's later watchmaking work.

Andreas Müller learned about the historic watches through a book about military and pilot timepieces.

In 2004, he presented the Askania name at the International Aviation Exhibition to assess interest.

The company's watch collections draw on the designs and instrument-making history associated with Askania.

Its Berlin identity also remains part of its watchmaking activities.

For pilots and aviation fans, Askania watches provide a connection with the instruments used during the development of flight. The company's history covers both aircraft navigation equipment and timepieces made for people interested in aviation.