Uwe Ahrendt is a prominent figure in the German watchmaking industry, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Nomos Glashütte. His professional journey is deeply rooted in the horological tradition of Glashütte, a small town in Saxony renowned for its centuries-old history of precision manufacturing.
Before joining Nomos, Ahrendt gained significant experience within the region’s established watchmaking landscape. He served as the Director of Production at Lange Uhren (A. Lange & Söhne) during a pivotal era for that brand, which helped solidify his expertise in high-end mechanical watch production and the specific technical requirements of the Glashütte watchmaking standards.
In 2000, Ahrendt transitioned to Nomos Glashütte as CEO, joining the senior management team alongside founder Roland Schwertner and head of branding Judith Borowski. Under his leadership, Nomos evolved from a brand utilizing Swiss-based movements into a fully integrated manufacture. A key milestone of his tenure occurred in 2005, when the company began producing its own in-house movements, ensuring that the majority of each timepiece’s value is created within Glashütte.
Ahrendt has been a vocal advocate for the protection of the Glashütte name. He played a central role in campaigning for the Glashütte Regulation, a legally enforceable standard that ensures watches bearing the town’s name meet strict criteria for local production and quality. He views this regulation as essential for safeguarding the region’s heritage and securing the future of its specialized workforce.
Throughout his career at Nomos, Ahrendt has overseen the launch of numerous award-winning collections, including the Tangente, Orion, and Metro lines. He has focused on maintaining a balance between traditional hand-craftsmanship and modern industrial production, adhering to the “form follows function” principles of the Deutscher Werkbund. His management has seen the company grow into one of Germany’s largest manufacturers of mechanical watches, known for technical innovations like the proprietary Nomos Swing System escapement.
Beyond technical achievements, Ahrendt is recognized for his commitment to the local community and the long-term sustainability of the German watch industry. His leadership continues to define Nomos Glashütte’s identity as an independent, design-focused manufacturer that remains “Glashütte through and through.”