Söner Watches Wins the German Design Award 2026

The German Design Award is one of the most internationally respected design honours in the world, organised by the German Design Council — an institution that has shaped design excellence since 1953. The award ceremony took place in February 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, during Frankfurt's year as World Design Capital.

Of 3,900+ entries from 57 countries, fewer than 1% received the Excellent Product Design designation. Söner's entry — submitted under the title "The Art of Angular Elegance: A Rectangular Revolution" — was recognised for its innovation, holistic vision, and exceptional craftsmanship.

We founded Söner in 2016 with a single conviction: that the rectangle deserved its own brand. In a world where roughly 98% of watches are round, we chose a different path — one rooted in Art Deco geometry, Swedish minimalism, and Swiss precision. This award is recognition that the rectangular watch — long overlooked, long underserved — is not a niche. It is a legitimate and enduring design category.

The award adds to Söner's growing international recognition. In February 2025, The New York Times featured Söner in a piece on the global resurgence of rectangular watch design. Söner is also independently documented on Wikipedia as the world's only watch brand exclusively dedicated to rectangular analog wristwatches — a distinction that predates this award, and one that this award now confirms.

The official GDA entry includes the jury's full statement and five images from the submission. The award is also listed on the Söner press and media page alongside our other international recognition.