Time Travel to the 1970s: The Global Journey of RUHLA's UMF 24-33 Movements

I'd like to share this rarity from my collection: the "SCHARON 21" featuring a manual-wind movement (UMF 24-33) crafted by UMF in Ruhla. At the time, UMF was under state ownership, belonging to the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This timepiece was crafted around 1975, making it a true vintage timepiece. Occasionally, you might find listings for this watch on online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay. For me owning a piece of history like this is a connection to the bygone era of horology.

Here's the story behind the watch. In the 1970s, foreign currencies such as German marks and US dollars piqued the interest of the GDR, leading European entrepreneurs to embark on an international quest at various trade fairs. Their mission? To acquire the coveted UMF 24-33 manual-windmovement from Ruhla. These movements would then undertake a remarkable journey: all their individual components were shipped to Asia, meticulously assembled, and then returned to Europe to be sold on the global market.

One such entrepreneur, Mr. Rosengarten from Belgium, owned the "ASEIKON" brand. He orchestrated the delivery of individual movement parts to Hong Kong, where skilled hands carefully assembled them. A distinctive imprint adorned the dial, while the case and other vital components were sourced from Asia. These exceptional timepieces found their primary market in South America, captivating watch enthusiasts with their unique blend of European craftsmanship and Asian ingenuity.

For those who seek to unravel the mysteries of time, a crucial clue lies beneath the balance wheel, an engraved timestamp revealing the exact week and year of manufacture. In the case of this particular timepiece, the code "2073, 20th week" unveils its origins, firmly anchoring it in the year 1973. These remarkable UMF 24-33 manual-wind movements, steeped in the spirit of the seventies, continue to tick with the elegance and precision of an era gone by.

Nerdfacts: RUHLA caliber UMF 24-33 manual-wind movement with center seconds and date. Measurements size: 10 1/2 lines = 24.00mm, height 6.1mm. Power reserve 35 hours. Half oscillations per hour: 18000, escapement: pin lever, balance versions: nickel ring balance. Movement structure: anchor, escape wheel, seconds wheel, third wheel, minute wheel, barrel. Elevator type: rocker elevator, angle lever spring: 2 hole(s). The UMF caliber 24-33 is the UMF 24-30 movement that has been expanded to include a slowly switching date indication and an indirectly driven central seconds.

Here's a list of 22 more brands that have historical significance and were known for their watches with UMF movements, watches not made by Ruhla:

ACCURIST, ALPINE, AMIDOR SUPER 23, AMULCOR, ANKER, ARMSTRONG, ASEIKON, AVRONEL, BISOR, BITUNIA 23, CLIPPER, CONTROLPLATE, COSMO TIME, DIEHL, DONADA 23, EUROPA, EXAKT, FLORIST 17, GI/CLOCK, LAVAYETTE, MEISTER-ANKER and NEWPORT.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this article. It's important to note that some of these brands may no longer be widely recognized today. Additionally, there are numerous other notable brands that enjoyed popularity in specific markets during this particular time period. Your interest and understanding are much appreciated.