Designhütte Manufaktur History

2006 – Founded by Jan Heisse

Driven by his passion for exclusive automatic watches, Jan Heisse founded the company and brand Designhütte in 2006. With a clear focus on high-quality products in the entry-level segment, the brand quickly gained significant popularity and recognition both nationally and internationally. Through continuous expansion of its own manufacturing capabilities, deep specialization in movement technologies, and the development of additional brands, Designhütte GmbH established itself as a leading provider in the international market for safes, watch winders, watch boxes, and jewelry cases.

Product Development and Mass Production

Product development, design, and component selection are carried out in Halver, Westphalia. To meet its own quality standards in production and to ensure consistently high and reliable quality, manufacturing sites in Germany and abroad are subject to strict quality controls.

2010 – Integration of the Heisse & Söhne Brand into the Designhütte Portfolio

The Heisse & Söhne brand dates back to the founding of the Heisse family business in 1976. In 2010, Heisse & Söhne was incorporated as a premium brand into the Designhütte portfolio to meet the growing demand from customers for more exclusive products. Heisse & Söhne represents excellent design and innovative technology, appealing to connoisseurs and enthusiasts with high standards for quality and functionality.

2013 – Expansion of the Designhütte Manufacture

Ongoing growth and the vision to elevate in-house manufacturing led to an expansion in 2013. The new production site in Halver laid the foundation for bespoke manufacturing, where exclusive, customized pieces are crafted according to customer specifications. The facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art CNC machining center and a specialized painting unit to ensure the production of tailored products at the highest quality level.

2014 to 2016 – Development and Market Launch of the Luxury Brand Chronovision

In 2014, the company began developing a revolutionary watch-winder technology, which was to be realized in the new luxury brand Chronovision. After two years of intensive research and development, the brand was finally launched in 2016. Chronovision stands for ultimate precision and innovation, developed and produced in Germany.

2019 – Expansion of Product Portfolio: Large Appliances, Safes, and Interiors

In 2019, the company expanded its portfolio to include large appliances, safes, and interior design. This expansion enabled the company to offer complete security solutions and luxurious interiors, tailored to meet individual customer needs.

2020 – Advancement of the Heisse & Söhne V21 Technology

With the V21 technology, Heisse & Söhne set new standards in 2020 for the functionality and efficiency of watch winders, designed especially for demanding watch enthusiasts.

2024 – Introduction of the Heisse & Söhne V25 Technology

In 2024, the V25 technology was introduced, further perfecting the watch winders by Heisse & Söhne. A highlight of this new generation is the Motion-Light, an innovative RGB lighting system that dramatically showcases the modules and displays each watch in the best possible light.

2025 – Designhütte Technology: Advancing OEM Manufacturing

With the launch of Designhütte Technology in 2025, the company expanded its manufacturing expertise. Production with original components is becoming increasingly important for third-party producers and is well on its way to becoming an integral part of series production. Together with our customers and partners, we ensure that our OEM products from the Heisse & Söhne and Chronovision brands can be seamlessly integrated. We pay close attention to ensuring that product design and integration are user-friendly and that production processes become faster, better, and more flexible. Designhütte Technology offers OEM solutions for safe and yacht building as well as for architects, shaping the future of manufacturing.

Global Presence

Today, Designhütte has over 2,500 distribution partners in more than 70 countries and is recognized worldwide for its outstanding quality and craftsmanship. The combination of innovative technology, traditional craftsmanship, and personalized design makes Designhütte a leading name in luxury watch storage.