[Sternglas Naos White] One Year Review

335 days after posting a few out-of-the-box photos of my Sternglas Naos White, I have worn it nearly every day. Recently, I received a message from a user who had seen my post and was looking to buy a Sternglas for themselves, and they asked how the watch has held up over time and if I would recommend it. Here is my response.

The bad: As the updated pictures show, my tan Sternglas strap (~$50) has not held up well. The loops have cracked and frayed, the edges look worn, and the buckle is marked up. Even after conditioning it with Saphir Renovateur and applying tan leather polish with a horsehair brush, it continues to look dried out. I plan to replace it soon with a third-party strap.

The good: The watch itself, however, has held up marvelously. Its sapphire crystal is scratchless and easy to clean, its chemical-dyed blue hands and Bauhaus-style time stamps are still handsome, and its date mechanism works flawlessly and intuitively. I have only had to update the time 1-2 times outside normal daylight savings adjustments, and the battery is still original.

The steel case has also held up well, but if you’re in a well-lit space, there is visible micro-scratching on the bezel.

In terms of style, one of my favorite characteristics of this Bauhaus design is that it can be dressed up and down very easily. I wear it regularly with suits, sports coats, linen shirts, and t-shirts, and it always looks understated but refined and tasteful.

For $270, it has also proven vastly superior to the Junkers Bauhaus watch I purchased three years ago for about $120 (a short-lived disaster). I expect it to be my trusty daily wear watch for at least the next few months, sans the current strap. But as soon as I am able to comfortably spare $1,250-$1,400 for a Junghans Max Bill, the finest German-made Bauhaus watch money can buy, the Naos will retire to my dresser.

TL;DR For ~$270, I highly recommend the Sternglas Naos as a durable and understated but refined daily wear watch, dressed up and down. But buying a third-party strap is advised.