Braun design history
Braun GmbH is one of the world's leading manufacturers of small
electric appliances. Braun's widely accled reputation for
innovative product design goes back to German engineer and
inventor Max Braun.
From the mid-1950s, the Braun brand was closely linked with the
concept of German modern industrial design and its combination of
functionality and technology. In 1956, Braun created its first
design department, headed by Dr. Fritz Eichler, who instituted a
collaboration with the Ulm School of Design to develop a new
product line. In 1956 the company introduced its famous SK4
record player ('Snow White's Coffin'), designed by a youthful
Dieter Rams together with the pioneer of system design, Hans
Gugelot, then lecturer of design at the Ulm School of Design.
Rams soon became the most influential designer at Braun. Rams was
a key figure in the German design renaissance of the late 1950s
and 1960s. Eventually becoming head of Braun's design staff,
Rams' influence was soon evidenced in many products. Many of his
designs - sleek coffee makers, calculators, radios and razors -
have found a permanent home at the Museum of Modern Art.
Braun products have been shown more frequently at exhibitions
than those of any other comparable company. Some people find that
they reflect basic human values such as authenticity and
integrity. For others, they are the very incarnation of German
perfectionism. Braun is not merely a trademark; it stands for an
all-encompassing concept.
For the last five decades, this concept has spawned innovative
products with an unprecedented regularity that begs to be
explained - especially as the era spanned by the history of Braun
design is not exactly one characterized by continuity. In 2000,
the readers of markt intern, a German trade journal for retailers
of electric appliances, voted Braun Germany's number one "Electro
Retail Partner" ahead of three of its competitors. Apparently,
the company's image for superior design and cutting-edge
technology was strong enough to carry Braun's success of eighty
years over into a new century.
Clocks and watches
In 1971, Braun launched a series of travel alarm clocks and
watches. The infamous German industrial designers, Dieter Rams
and Deitrich Lubs were the masterminds behind the project; and,
with their “Less, is more” design philosophy they produced a
number of memorable products for Braun including some of the best
travel alarm clocks around.
Over the last 40 years, Braun time pieces were characterized by
their pure, highly functional and timeless design with no
superfluous details: Every feature directly reflects a function.
Rooted in over half a century of modern design at Braun, the core
values of functionality, quality and aesthetics are reflected in
all clocks and watches.
The strength of clarity and simplicity of their design makes them
a pleasure to use and to own.
The analog clocks were manufactured with the intention to
prioritize innovation and durability. The beautifully sleek
structure and dial illumination, together with the slight graying
back of the numbers ensures that the hour arms are clear and
easily readable. All the clocks use precision German movements,
known for their silent nature and high accuracy. A variety of
models use radio controlled movements for complete accuracy of
time.
A selection of the very best classic clocks and watches have been
recreated in keeping with the high standards of quality of the
originals. At the same time, brand new designs on both watches
and clocks take the collection further than ever before.
In 1971, Braun launched a series of travel alarm clocks and
watches. The infamous German industrial designers, Dieter Rams
and Dietrich Lubs were the masterminds behind the project; and,
with their "Less, is more" design philosophy they produced a
number of memorable products for Braun including some of the best
travel alarm clocks around. Over the last 40 years, Braun time
pieces were characterized by their pure, highly functional and
timeless design with no superfluous details: Every feature
directly reflects a function. Rooted in over half a century of
modern design at Braun, the core values of functionality, quality
and aesthetics are reflected in all clocks and watches. The
strength of clarity and simplicity of their design makes them a
pleasure to use and to own. The analogue clocks were manufactured
with the intention to prioritize innovation and durability. The
beautifully sleek structure and dial illumination, together with
the slight graying back of the numbers ensures that the hour arms
are clear and easily readable. All the clocks use precision
German movements, known for their silent nature and high
accuracy. A variety of models use radio controlled movements for
complete accuracy of time. A selection of the very best classic
clocks and watches have been recreated in keeping with the high
standards of quality of the originals. At the same time, brand
new designs on both watches and clocks take the collection
further than ever before.
