Cornelius Huber is a third-generation German entrepreneur and the current owner and CEO of Circula, an independent watch brand based in Pforzheim. His professional identity is defined by the revival of his family’s horological heritage, which dates back to the early 20th century in Germany’s traditional watchmaking center.
Huber’s connection to the industry began through his family’s business, Huber & Co., a jewelry and watch wholesale company founded by his grandfather in 1926. In 1955, his grandfather, Heinz Huber, established the Circula brand to produce original timepieces. Cornelius grew up immersed in this environment, attending industry events with his parents and developing an early fascination with watchmaking mechanics after visiting factories such as Junghans.
After pursuing a career outside of the family business, Huber decided to return to his roots in 2017. Following the retirement of his father, Klaus-Dieter Huber, Cornelius took over the management of Circula. Under his leadership, the brand underwent a significant strategic transformation, shifting from a traditional wholesale model to a direct-to-consumer approach via an online store.
Huber’s tenure has been characterized by a return to mechanical movements and the development of utilitarian tool watches. He has gained recognition for incorporating a participatory design process, involving the watch enthusiast community in the development of new models through polls and feedback. Key milestones under his direction include the launch of the Heritage collection, which utilized “new old stock” German movements, and the successful introduction of the AquaSport and SuperSport diving watches.
Today, Cornelius Huber continues to lead Circula as an owner-managed family business. He remains focused on maintaining the brand’s “Made in Germany” identity while modernizing its collections for a global market of collectors and enthusiasts. Beyond technical management, he emphasizes the preservation of his family’s 100-year history within the Pforzheim watchmaking industry.