STERNGLAS has introduced the Berlin Automatik, a mechanical update to one of the brand’s most popular designs. The watch keeps the familiar mid-century aesthetic of the quartz Berlin, but now houses an automatic movement and features an exhibition case back, expanding the model’s appeal to an even broader audience.
If you’re wondering why a Hamburg-based brand has a watch called the Berlin, it’s a reference to the Berliner Bahnhof, the former railway station that connected Hamburg to the capital in what was then a nine-hour journey. The original Berlin model marked that connection with an engraved case back depicting the station; but, on the Automatik, that engraving is replaced by a display back, offering a view of the Miyota 8205 automatic movement.
Like its previous iteration, the overall design of the Berlin Automatik remains rooted in the clean visual language of the 1950s and ’60s. A domed, satin-finished surface is paired with slim needle hands and finely printed line indices. Branding at 12 and 6 o’clock with the Art Deco-inspired font favored by STERNGLAS keeps the layout balanced. Finally, a tone-on-tone day and date display integrates cleanly into the dial, maintaining the watch’s purist aesthetics while adding an extra layer of utility to the model.
The Automatik model is offered in three dial variants: Sepia Gold, Midnight Blue, and Copper Beige. All are housed in a 38mm case crafted from 316L stainless steel, with Sepia Gold paired to a polished PVD gold case. The color options and proportions make it a great option for regular wear, and the sapphire crystal and 5 bar of water resistance add a bit of peace throughout the day.
The Berlin Automatik is available on either a woven Milanese bracelet or a crocodile-embossed cowhide leather strap, both fitted with quick-release spring bars. It’s priced at $579 and available now through STERNGLAS online and at authorized retailers.
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