UMF-RUHLA Caliber 13 – “Ruhla at Heart”
Limited Edition – only 99 pieces worldwide
I discovered this watch on the wrist of a watchmaking apprentice during our visit to the watch factory in Ruhla and ordered it immediately!
Inside beats something truly special: the Quartz UMF Caliber 13, an original movement from the legendary Ruhla watch factory. These NOS (“New Old Stock”) movements have been carefully stored for decades, now fully inspected – and finally brought to life in a brand-new timepiece. A genuine piece of watchmaking history, ready to be worn on your wrist.
The stainless steel case in authentic retro design measures 42 mm and is protected by a slightly domed sapphire crystal. Through the decorated, laser-engraved caseback, you can admire the historic caliber in action. The champagne-colored dial with date display at 3 o’clock underlines the timeless character of this watch.
A handcrafted grey-brown calfskin strap (22 mm) ensures excellent wearing comfort and blends harmoniously with the elegant overall design. With 10 ATM water resistance, this watch is not only a collector’s item but also perfectly suitable for everyday wear.
Specifications:
-
Movement: Quartz UMF Caliber 13 (NOS)
-
Functions: Hour, minute, second, date
-
Dial: Champagne color, date at 3 o’clock
-
Case: Stainless steel, 42 mm Ø, height 10.3 mm, lug-to-lug 49 mm
-
Crystal: Slightly domed sapphire glass
-
Caseback: Laser-engraved with display window
-
Strap: Handcrafted grey-brown calfskin strap, 22 mm
-
Weight: 77 g
-
Water resistance: 10 ATM
-
Limited edition: 99 pieces worldwide
-
Price: €249
Conclusion:
This UMF-RUHLA is far more than just a watch – it is a piece of East German watchmaking heritage, revived and strictly limited. Perfect for collectors, Ruhla enthusiasts, and anyone looking for something truly unique.
Background Info:
UMF-RUHLA, a legend lives on!
The origins of the UMF watch factory in Ruhla/Thuringia go back to 1862, according to tradition. Since 1880, the company has focused on the development and production of pocket watches. In 1897, 4,000 watches were already being produced per day. In 1949, the company recorded its highest production volume to date. In April 1985, the watch company developed a cabin clock for the first German jet airliner, and subsequently for other airliners.
The UMF "Ruhla electric Kal. 25" was the first electric wristwatch in the GDR in 1963 and was presented as an in-house development at the Leipzig Trade Fair. Watches with this caliber were built from 1963 to 1991.
On September 25, 1962, the 100th anniversary of the UMF watch and machine factory was celebrated. Deserving employees received a copy of the UMF special edition "100 years".
On March 1, 1967, the Ruhla, Glashütte and Weimar watch factories merged to form the VEB Uhrenkombinat Ruhla. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the state-owned company was broken up into several parts and privatized by the Treuhandgesellschaft. The VEB Uhrenwerk Ruhla initially became the company "Uhrenwerke Ruhla GmbH".
In 1990, around 90% of the old factory and production buildings were demolished. One of the well-known industrial monuments and administrative buildings from the great watchmaking era of 1929 was largely preserved: the six-story reinforced concrete skeleton structure with clinker cladding in the Bauhaus style was built in 1929 according to designs by the Schreiter & Schlag architectural firm.
Then, as now, it served as a production site for watches from Ruhla. On the ground floor is the Ruhla Clock Museum, which shows the contemporary history of the clock industry in Ruhla.
