
Christine HutterCEO & Founder
Christine Hutter, a trained watchmaker and entrepreneur, founded Moritz Grossmann in Glashütte. She built the brand from scratch into one of the most respected independent watch manufacturers in Germany, combining traditional craftsmanship with useful innovation. Her leadership philosophy blends patience, independence, and a deep respect for horological heritage.
Founder Stats
- Production, Technology, Luxury
- Started 2008
- $1M+/mo
- 50+ team
- Germany
About Christine Hutter
Christine Hutter revived the forgotten name of Moritz Grossmann and turned it into a thriving independent watch brand in Glashütte. With roots in watchmaking and experience in retail, marketing, and distribution, she created a company that now produces over 90% of its components in-house. Her mission is to craft watches that are simple yet mechanically perfect, guided by traditional techniques and thoughtful innovation. Over 17 years, she has shown how patience, independence, and a clear vision can grow a small idea into a respected name in high horology.
Interview
September 29, 2025
You started your career as a watchmaker, which is not so common for brand founders. What did you learn from that background?

I’m a trained watchmaker, but most of my work was not only watchmaking. My heart is with movements, but I worked more in marketing and distribution. Those experiences together helped me later when I started my own brand.
You spent years at big German names like Glashütte Original and A. Lange & Söhne. What did you take away from that time?

Working at Lange was a big training for me, especially four years with Mr. Gunter Blümlein. He was fantastic in design, technical parts, and understanding clients. I learned a lot from him and I’m grateful for that time.
How did your different career steps prepare you to launch Moritz Grossmann?

I was in retail, marketing, and distribution. Each step taught me something different. In the end, all those experiences came together and gave me the confidence to start my own company.
When you founded your brand, did you want to do things differently from what you had seen before?

Yes, I had a clear vision. I wanted to respect tradition but not copy. I wanted to create new movements for the 21st century. We tried to be innovative but still stay connected to history.
Your watches have details like white sapphires instead of rubies and violet hands instead of blue. Was that part of a strategy?

Yes, it was planned. I wanted the movements to look quieter, not so colorful. So we used white sapphires, rose gold chatons, and violet steel for the hands. It was about giving our watches a different but elegant character.
Why was it important for you to use a big balance with a slower 18,000 frequency?

My heart as a watchmaker wanted it. I love when you hear the heartbeat of the movement. The slower frequency gives a heavier, stronger tick-tock, like old pocket watches. That was a wish of mine from the beginning.
The hands of your watches are very slim and now almost a signature. How did you achieve that?

It started with our first watch. Grossmann in the 19th century made the slimmest hands, and we wanted to continue that. It takes a long process—8 hours for three hands—because they are filed, polished, and heat-treated all by hand.
Many collectors say your hands are among the most beautiful. Do you see them as a USP for the brand?

Yes, they are. They are really very slim, elegant, and unique. We see that collectors recognize them quickly, and it has become an important identity of our watches.
You also began producing dials in-house. Why did you take that step?

We wanted to go back to 19th-century traditions. We started with tremblage dials and later silver-plated by friction. It’s high-level craftsmanship, and collectors value that authenticity.
In 17 years you grew from producing one watch to 90% of components in-house. How was that journey?

The first five years were building the production and prototyping movements. It took time. Now we produce more than 90% in-house, and that makes us independent, faster, and at a higher level. I’m very proud of my team for reaching this.
Why was independence so important for your brand?

If you rely on suppliers and they delay, you cannot move forward. Doing it in-house means better quality, more control, and freedom. From the start, independence was one of our goals.
Your philosophy is 'simple yet mechanically perfect.' How do you bring that into new complications?

We try to think around the corner. For example, we made an automatic movement with a hammer winding system instead of a rotor. It looks simple but inside it’s mechanical perfection. That’s what we aim for with all complications.
How do you approach innovation while staying traditional?

We always ask, is this useful for the customer? It must be service friendly and reliable. We use history for inspiration, like Breguet’s hammer winding, but adapt it for the 21st century. Innovation must respect tradition but improve it.
Development of a new movement takes years. How do you manage that process?

It takes two to four years to develop, then more years to optimize. We are a small team—only two people in development—so we need time. But we have a clear schedule for the next six or seven years.
What role does teamwork play in your company’s success?

It is not just my work. It’s the whole team. Everyone contributes. Without them, we would not reach this level. I am proud of them.
Looking back over 17 years, what has been the biggest challenge in growth?

The challenge was building everything step by step—production, independence, and our identity. It needed patience. Growth is never fast in this kind of business, but steady and strong.
Finally, do you have a favorite watch from your collection?

It’s difficult to choose. I love them all because I was involved in each piece. But if I must say, I often wear my Benu Backpage. For me it is a piece of art. I also love the tourbillon with tremblage dial. But in truth, I love the whole collection like a mother loves all her children.
Table Of Questions
Video Interviews with Christine Hutter
Moritz Grossmann Founder & CEO Christine Hutter Interview
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