Circula is a German watch manufacturer based in Pforzheim, a city with a deep-rooted history in the Black Forest watchmaking industry. The brand was originally founded in 1955 by Heinz Huber, whose family had been involved in the watch and jewelry wholesale business since 1926. After a period of dormancy, the brand was revived in 2017 by Heinz’s grandson, Cornelius Huber, who continues to run the company as a third-generation, family-owned business. The name Circula is derived from the “circulation” of the balance wheel in mechanical movements, a nod to the brand’s focus on traditional horology.
People are drawn to Circula watches for their combination of authentic German heritage, robust engineering, and a unique participatory design philosophy. The brand is well-known for involving the watch enthusiast community in the development of new models, allowing customers to vote on design elements and specifications. This transparency, combined with the use of high-quality materials like 316L stainless steel, sapphire crystals, and reliable Swiss movements from Sellita, has established the brand as a respected name in the microbrand community. Additionally, the brand’s ability to source and refurbish “New Old Stock” German movements for its Heritage collection provides a tangible link to Pforzheim’s industrial past.
The brand’s catalog is centered on functional tool watches that blend vintage inspiration with modern performance. Key pieces include the AquaSport II, a professional dive watch inspired by the brand’s own skin divers from the 1970s, and the SuperSport, which features a genuine super-compressor case construction. Another significant model is the ProTrail, an anti-magnetic field watch designed for durability and legibility. For collectors interested in historical movements, the Heritage series remains a standout, featuring restored mechanical calibers from the Pforzheimer Uhren-Rohwerke (P.U.W.) that were originally manufactured in the brand’s hometown.
