#TBT: The Quarzwerke logo – The shovel as the centerpiece and a matter close to our hearts
When you think of quartz movements, the logo immediately springs to mind—the turquoise lettering and that “almost round symbol.” Although, it’s not actually completely round. It’s a shape somewhere between a circle and a triangle, soft and angular at the same time. And this combination is no coincidence.
In today’s Throwback Thursday, we take a look at the history of our logo.
For a long time, a company’s logo was simply its name in lettering. During the economic miracle years, the approach changed. Inspired by the “Bauhaus style,” simple geometric shapes, clear lines, and open spaces came into focus. Logos evolved from purely informative signs to emotionally charged symbols. Complex corporate values began to be condensed into simple visual brands. And so, 75 years ago, the Quarzwerke logo was born.
Otto Lindemann had the inspiration to use a shovel as a symbol in the logo. In 1951, quartz sand was still mainly extracted by hand using a large shovel. Employees stood in the quarry wall and shoveled the sand into trolleys, which were then transported out of the pit by locomotive. They were assisted by a few excavators, which took some of the work off their hands. Technology only gradually found its way into the industry – today, shovels are no longer needed in quarrying operations.
In 1951, the shovel was therefore an emotional symbol for daily work, for the dedication of the employees, and for the main product, quartz sand. Even today, the shovel in front of the company name stands for our tradition.
And by the way: we are celebrating a double anniversary! For 55 years, the Quarzwerke shovel has been not only a German brand, but also an international one.
The Quarzwerke logo is more than just a graphic symbol—it is a piece of company history. The shovel reminds us of where we come from and at the same time stands for our commitment, consistency, and the quality of our products. Even though technology has changed, the message remains the same: we build on tradition to shape the future.
