Glashutte - Watchmaking

We should start by going back to the early days of watchmaking in Glashütte — a former mining town
struck by poverty in the first half of the 19th century — when Ferdinand Adolph Lange, Julius Assmann,
Moritz Grossmann and Adolf Schneider, with the financial support of the royal Saxon government, decided
to revive the economy of the region by importing the concept of the so-called home and cottage
watchmaking industry that worked so well in Switzerland.
This was a supply system under which watchmakers would order components from individual workers and
assemble them under their own name. But in the 19th century Saxony,they had to start from zero, and on
December 7, 1845, fifteen young men started their apprenticeship as watchmakers and precision mechanics
under the watchful eyes of these masters.
By the turn of the century, there were over fifty craftsmen offering their services to local watchmakers: tool
makers, case makers, engravers, and producers of other watch components. This was a period of prosperity
— lavishly decorated pocket watches, precise clocks and marine chronometers made in Glashütte were
highly sought after all over the world. As with every successful brand, because by that time the name
Glashütte was synonymous with high-quality precision, there were copycats popping up in Switzerland,
producing watches marked as “System Glashütte”. As a reaction, Saxon watchmakers started using the term
“original” to make it easier to differentiate their work from copies. One of them was the Deutsche
Präzisions-Uhrenfabrik Glashütte (German Precision Watch Factory Glashütte — DPUG) that was making
pocket watches under the Deutsche Präzisions Original Glashütte label.

Glashütte was also known for its watchmaking school, one of its most illustrious teachers was Alfred
Helwig, inventor of the flying tourbillon. Students came from all over Germany, Eastern Europe, and other
continents to learn the craft.

But during WWI and especially in the aftermath years, there were dark clouds gathering over Glashütte’s
watchmaking workshops. Besides the fact that Germany lost the war and the economy was crumbling under
staggering inflation, Glashütte’s watch companies were late in recognising the rising popularity of
wristwatches that were less expensive and more practical than pocket watches. Many companies went
bankrupt, among them was also the above mentioned DPUG, and from its remnants, in 1926 emerged two
new entities, UROFA making parts and movements, and UFAG handling case manufacturing and the
distribution of the watches.

During the 1930’s and up till the end of the WWII, Glashütte was again booming, mainly because of the
orders coming from the state for timekeeping instruments: pilot watches, marine chronometers and
chronographs. As Nazi Germany was losing on all fronts, and Dresden was burning, Glashütte seemed to be
untouched and production was in full steam… On May 8, 1945, one day after Germany signed an
unconditional surrender on all fronts, Soviet bombers attacked the region of Glashütte, destroying many
buildings, but luckily there were only a handful of civilian victims.

Soon after the war, Germany was divided and Glashütte ended up under Soviet control. Red Army trucks
were filled with machinery, benches, blueprints, everything they could move, except the most important
ingredient, the people — the know-how and the soul of German watchmaking.

Soon after the war, Germany was divided and Glashütte ended up under Soviet control. Red Army trucks
were filled with machinery, benches, blueprints, everything they could move, except the most important
ingredient, the people — the know-how and the soul of German watchmaking. Without machines, without
materials, some even lacking workers, at the end of 1945, all the companies are in a dire situation, and to
survive they had to work together. The production is focused on simple wristwatches, without any
complications or high-end finishing, that can be made in large numbers and at an affordable price. In 1949,
the Soviet-controlled part of Germany becomes the German Democratic Republic.

In Glashütte the remaining watch companies were nationalised and on July 1, 1951, they were merged into
Volkseigenen Betrieb VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe (GUB). Supply chains for basic components, such as
mainsprings, jewel bearings, dials, hands, balance springs, originating from West Germany and Switzerland
were lost, and many of these had to be produced in-house — a huge effort considering that they had to start
from scratch, even creating the machines to produce them. Besides wristwatches, GUB was also making
precision equipments for washing machines and light systems, clocks, etc. All their effort “to reinvent the
wheel” left a dent on their ability to keep up with the latest developments in watchmaking and for many
years, they always had to play a catch-up game with the competition from the West. Their first automatic
movement — GUB 74, known as Spezimatic — was only introduced in the 60’s, followed by the smaller
and faster 28,800 vph GUB 11-25 Spezichron, in 1979.
Despite all the adversity, by the mid-60’s, GUB started exporting watches not just to the Soviet Union, but
also the Western Germany. Up until the 70’s before the quartz would hit the market, probably the most
sought-after GUB products were the marine chronometers, that they were exporting to 27 countries all over
the world.

While during the 70’s and 80’s, GUB did make quartz watches, mainly for ladies, unlike others, they never
stopped making mechanical watches. By this time, GUB was a mega factory with more than 2,500 people,
yet Glashütte had to face another challenge brought upon by history: the fall of the Berlin Wall and the
reunification of Germany.

In 1990 several companies were founded: A. Lange & Söhne, Nomos, and the state-owned GUB became the
new Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe GMBH, under the control of the Treuhandanstalt, the German government
agency supervising the privatisation of East German enterprises. Many people lost their jobs as these were
early stage companies in a market economy that did not need thousands of workers. Even during this
uncertain times, development of new movements did not stop and in 1993 Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe GMBH
introduced the Calibre 10-30 which was a base-movement for future models.

Finally, in 1994, the Treuhand found a client in Heinz W. Pfeifer, who changed the name of the company to
Glashütte Original. This was not the socialist mega factory anymore, it was a small manufacture with 72
employees, but the know-how was intact and after a year-or-so, Glashütte Original presented the Julius
Assmann Tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and moonphase in an 18k gold case, a beautiful homage to the
famous watchmaker.

In the following years, the company knew a healthy growth and became a well-respected brand in Germany,
but to make it internationally they needed outside support. The help came from the Swatch Group, at the
time, under the leadership of Nicolas G. Hayek, who recognised the value of the German brand, and in
October 2000, Glashütte Original joined the Swiss luxury group.

Under the Swatch Group umbrella, Glashütte Original became a well-respected ambassador of German
watchmaking, with an extensive network of high-end retailers and mono-brand boutiques in Europe, Asia
and the Middle East.
D..H Watches database.

Rarest: Arcadia ,Bielco , Choisi , Milex ,Lavina , Pronto

ALPINA D ( 52 watches gegistered).

S/N Punched "D" only. Letter is bigger than numbers.Mainly two batches :
- first 5/6 digits .Range between 91--- and 11----.
- second 6 digits. Range 228--- / 244---
Mvmt : Alpina 592 . On few watches, Alpina 595.
Case : chrome top, 32mm .

ARCADIA D.H.(14 watches).

S/N: punched DH only.Letters bigger than numbers . One batch .
- 6 digits . Range 913--- / 917---
Mvmt : AS 1130 ( anonym).
Case : chrome top, 34mm.

ARSA D.H.(119 watches).

S/N : DH only . Letters bigger than numbers.Mainly two batches.
- first 4/5 digits.Range 15-- / 22---
- second 5 digits. Range 27--- / 355---
Mvmt : Unitas 173 / 174.
Case : chrome top , 33mm.

BULLA D.H.( 30 watches).

S/N : DH only.Letters and numbers same size. One batch.
- 4 digits . Range 11-- / 61--
Only one watch with 3 digits ( D 814 H)
Mvmt : AS 1130 ( anonym)
Case : chrome top. 34mm .

BUREN D.H.(46 watches).

- S/N: DH only.Letters bigger than numbers. Two batches.
- first (small) 4/5 digits.Range 98-- / 165--
- second ( big) 5 digits . Range 225-- / 295--
Mvmt : Buren Grand Prix (personalized).
Case : chrome top ,34mm .

BWC D. ( 12 watches).
S/N: D only.Letter and numbers same size.One batch.
- 5 digits. Range 117-- / 146--.
Mvmt: AS1130 ( brass & personalized).
Case: chrome top, 34mm.

CIVITAS D.H.(29 watches).

S/N: DH only.Letters bigger than numbers. One batch.
- 7 digits . Range 2626--- / 2740---.
Mvmt : Moeris 10 1/2 C ( personalzed)
Case . chrome top , 33mm .

CRONOS D.H.( 15 watches).

S/N : DH only. Letters bigger than numbers. One batch.
- 3/4 digits . Range 6-- / 27--- .
Mvmt.: AS1130 ( anonym)
Case : chrome top , 34 mm.

DOGMA D. ( 8 watches).
S/N D only . Letter is bigger than numbers.One batch .
- 6 digits . Range 55---- / 56----
Mvmt:AS 1130 personalized)
Case : chrome top , 34mm .
DOXA D.H / D. (63 watches).
S/N Punched DH or D .S/N are mixed and it is impossible to split DH from D. Letters bigger than numbers.One batch.
- 7 digits . Range 4525--- / 4651---
Mvmt. : Doxa 12'''/ Cal 1 ( personalized)
Case : two type . S/S , 33mmm. Chrome top ,35mm ( probably , the ones punched "D." ).

EDO D.H. (8 watches).

S/N: DH only .Letters and numbers same size.This is a sub-brand of Helma so they are starting with "0" .One batch .
- 6 digits . Range 0062-- / 0307-- . Not a sufficient number of watches to give correct range !
Mvnt : AS1130 ( anonym).
Case: chrome top , 33mm .

FREECO D.H. ( 9 watches)

S/N : DH only. Letters bigger than numbers.One batch .
- 4 digits . Range 53-- / 59-- .
Mvnt . AS1130 ( personalized)
Case : chrome top , 35mm .

GALA D.H. (29 watches).

S/N : DH only . Letters bigger than numbers.Two batches .
- first ( small) 3 digits. Range 6-- / 8-- ;
- second , 4 digits. Range 13-- / 74-- .
Mvnt: AS1130 ( anonyme)
Case: chrome top . Two types: 3 pieces or 2 pieces ( monobloc). 34mm .

GLYCINE D.H. ( 124 watches).

S/N : DH only . Letters and numbers same size.Almost all 5 digits. Only 3 watches were punched with a 3 digits
S/N .Probably, 5 batches .
- 1° 40--- / 49---;
- 2° 52--- / 57--- ;
- 3° 65--- / 73---;
- 4° 75--- / 77---;
- 5° 85--- / 94--- ( the substantial one!)
Mvnt : AS1130 ( personalized).
Case : chrome top, 34mm .

GRANA D.H. / D.( 53 watches).

S/N : it is punched DH or D . DH has letters bigger than numbers. For D letters and numbers has same size.All have 6
digits.
I think there are 4 batches :
- 1° 235--- / 237---;
- 2° 250--- / 258---;
- 3° 346--- / 349---;
- 4° 488--- / 495--- ( this batch for "D" only).
Mvnt : KF 321 ( Kurt Freres). Some movements are personalized .
Case : chrome top , 34mm for D.H. Chrome top, 32mm for D.

HADO D.H.(22 watches)

This is a sub-brand of Helma .They may be fitted with two different movement( AS or FB).
S/N : it is a DH only . Depending from the mvnt S/N can be at 5 or 6 digits. Letters and numbers have same size.
- 5 digits , range 027-- / 056-- ( AS 1130)
- 6 digits , range 025--- / 044--- ( FB 2075)
Mvnt :two movements are available
-AS1130 ( brass & modified)
-FB2075 ( usually,inside, it has the "dustcover cap" instead the ring).
Case: chrometop , 33mm .

HELIOS D.H. ( 120 watches)

Probably , Helios is the most common DH on the market. It was fitted with two movements : AS1130 or
P300( Precimax).
Because of the high number of watches supplyed , puncing on the back has different configuration .
S/N : on my opinion there were 6 batches. One with 4 digits , the rest with 5 digits .
-1°: 4 digits , range 12-- / 81-- ( AS1130);
-2°: 5 digits , range 107-- / 214-- (AS1130. The most substantial);
-3°: 5 digits , range 221-- / 261-- ( AS1130 or P300);
-4°: 5 digits , range 294-- / 319-- ( P300);
-5°: 5 digits , range 331-- / 398-- ( P300);
-6°: 5 digits , range 414-- / 443-- ( P300).
I registered two watches with a very small S/N : D.8 H. and D.77 H .
Mvnt: AS1130 or P300 . In both cases they are personalize .
Case: chrome top , 34mm .

HELMA D.H. ( 65 watches)

S/N : DH only .Letters and numbers with same size. It may be at 5 digits or at 6 digits ( this starts always with "0").
- 5 digits .3 batches:
. 1° 001-- / 022--;
. 2° 045-- / 065--;
. 3° 110-- / 170--
- 6 digits 3 batches:
. 1° 0057-- / 0058--;
. 2° 016--- / 033---;
. 3° 040--- / 045---.
Mvnt. : AS1130 (anonyme or personalize)

HELVETIA D.H.( 66 watches)

S/N .: DH only . Letters and numbers with same size .I registered 5 batches . First ( only 6 watches) with 3/4 digits.
Others with 5 digits.
-1° : 3/4 digits , range 8-- / 94-- ;
-2° : 5 digits , range 108-- / 125-- ;
-3° : 5 digits , range 150-- / 159-- ;
-4° : 5 digits , range 162-- / 224-- ;
-5° : 5 digits , range 334-- / 356-- .
Mvnt: Helvetia Cal 82-A.
Case : chrome top , 34mm .

LONGINES D.H. / D. ( 61 watches).

According to my registrations , Longines supply to WH not more than 5.000 watches .
S/N : mainly punched DH .Very few watches were punched D. It has 4 digits with letters bigger than numbers
( center of the back).One batch only.
-D.H. : range could be from 0001 up to 5000 ( the lower recorded is D.7 H. , the highest is D. 4863 H.).
-D. : I've recorded only 5 watches : D.77 ; D.102 ; D.111 , D.381 and D.460.
They have the same movement but there are small differences between DH and D . Diameters of case is 32,5mm for
DH and 33 mm for D.
Shape of case and dial are different.Those differences make me think that numbring of DH and D are not in the same
batch .
Mvnt : both are fitted wit a Longines 12.68 z
Case: both is in S/S .

MIMO D.H.( 35 watches )

S/N : DH only .Letters and number ( very light) have the same size and 4 digits .I've registered 4 small batches .
- 1° : 02-- / 11--;
- 2° : 17-- / 32--;
- 3° : 38-- / 43--;
- 4° : 51-- / 74-- ( the most numerous and homogeneus )
Mvnt: AS1130 modified.
Case: S/S , 35mm .

MINERVA D.H. ( 90 watches )

This watch has , according to my records , 4 different versions. Differences come from movement, back case or dial .
Movement can be a Minerva Cal. 12 or a Lavina Cal 105. Back can be screw or "bayonet" type .
S/N : DH only .Letters bigger than numbers. It has 6 digits . According to mvnt or case back i found 5 batches .
- 1° : Lavina Cal 105 , bayonet back , range is 538--- / 539--- ;
- 2° : Cal.12 or Cal 105, screw or bayonet back , range is 540--- / 555--- ( usually it has the "dustcover cap" inside
instead the ring) ;
- 3° : Lavina Cal. 105 ,screw or bayonet back , range is 576--- / 581--- ;
- 4° : Cal.12 or cal105 ,screw or bayonet back , range is 641--- 7 655--- ;
- 5° : Minerva Cal.12 , bayonet back , range is 661--- / 662--- .
Mvnt: Minerva Cal.12 or Lavina Cal. 105 ( personalized).
Case . chrome top , 34mm .

MOERIS D.H. ( 51 watches).

S/N: DH only .Letters bigger than numbers.It has 7 digits.One batch.
- range 2555--- / 2662--- .
Mvnt. Moeris Grand Prix 10 1/2 C.
Case . chrome top ( monobloc) , 33mm .

MULCO D.H. ( 10 watches)

S/N : DH only .Letters bigger than numbers . One batch.
- 3or 4 digits , range 1-- / 15--
Mvnt. AS1130 ( personalized)
Case : chrome top , 34mm.

NISUS D.H. ( 21 watches)

Two different cases : one is 28mm in diameter , other is 34 mm.
S/N : DH only .Letters and numbers have same size .It has 5 digits.Two batches.
- 28 mm , range 101-- / 102-- ;
- 34 mm , range 130-- / 183-- .
Mvnt : 28 mm is fitted with a PESEUX 170 . 34 mm with an AS1130 . ( both are personalized)
Case. both are chrome on top .

ONDA D.( 12 watches ).

S/N : D only .Letter and numbers have same size .One batch.
- 6 digits , range 653--- / 656--- .
Mvnt: AS1130 ( personalyze)
Case : chrome top , 34mm .

Phenix D.H. ( 73 watches)

S/N : DH only .I registered 5 batches differing for case type ( monobloc or 3 pieces), dial or back punching
1° 3 pieces case ,screw back , 3 / 4 digits , range 2-- / 56-- ;
2° 3 pieces case ,screw back, 4 / 5 digits , range 77-- / 12---;
3° 3 pieces case ,screw back, 5 digits , range 20---- / 24--- ;
4° monobloc case, bayonet back , 5 digits , range 30--- / 33--- ;
5° monobloc case, bayonet back, 5 digits , range 341-- 7 348-- .
Mvnt : AS1130 (anonyme).
Case : all cases are chrome top, 34 mm .

PIERPONT D.H. ( 15 watches).

S/N : DH only . Letters are bigger than numbers. One batch .
- 6 digits , range 538--- / 598--- .
Mvnt: AS1130 ( anonyme).
Case chrome top , 34mm .

PRONTO D.( 4 watches )

S/N : D only . Due to the small numbers of records it is difficult to find a correct range. By the way , the following one
could be possible.
- letter is bigger than numbers , 4 digits , range 12-- / 16-- .
Mvnt.: AS1130 ( anonyme).
Case : chrome top , 33 mm .

RECORD D.H. / D.( 91 watches).

S/N: it may be punched DH or D .letters are bigger than numbers . 6 digits. 2 batches :
- 423--- / 442--- ( DH);
- 492--- / 510--- ( D )
Mvnt : Record K 022 ( personalyze).
Case : chrome top , 34mm .

RECTA D.H. ( 33 watches).

S/N : DH only . letters and numbers have same size . It has 6 digits . 3 batches .
- 552--- / 565--- ;
- 582--- / 597---;
- 634--- / 636---.
I've recorded one Recta D with S/N D.510628 : this is the only one I found .
Mvnt.: 12''' / Cal C ( personaslyze)
Case : chrome top , 34mm .

REVUE D.H. ( 82 watches )

S/N : dh only . Letters bigger tha numbers. It has 6 digits . 5 batches :
- 149--- / 161--- ;
- 198--- / 211--- ;
- 242--- / 245--- ;
- 250--- / 279--- ;
- 286--- / 300--- .
Mvnt . Revue cal. 59 ( personalize Revue - GT ).
Case : in S/S , 33 mm .

SELZA D. ( 15 watches ).
S/N : D only . letter and numbers have the same size . It has 6 digits . One batch :
- 507--- / 509--- .
Mvnt. : AS1130 (personalize )
Case : chrome top , 34mm .

SIEGERIN D. (24 watches).

S/N : D only . Letter is bigger than numbers .It has 6 digits . One batch :
- 286--- / 291--- .
Mvnt.: Alpina 592 / 595.
Case : chrome top , 32 mm .

SILVANA D.H. (81 watches)

S/N : DH only . Letters and numbers have same size ( mainly 2 mm) but in some cases , they have still the same size
but smaller ( 1mm).It has 6 digits.
5 batches:
-303--- / 304--- ;
-321--- / 344--- ;
-347--- / 356--- ;
-374--- / 383--- ;
-395--- / 405--- .
I recorded 4 watches with an unusual S/N : D345H , D.15015H , D.46100H , D.57477 D.
Mvnt.: AS1130 ( anonyme)
Case: chrome top , 34mm .

SYNTAKT D. ( 9 watches ).
S/N : D only . Letter is bigger than numbers . it has 5 digits . One batch :
- 171-- / 179-- .
Mvnt.: Unitas 174 (anonyme)
Case : chrome top , 34mm.

TITUS D.H . / D .( 26 watches).

S/N : it may be punched DH or D . Letters and numbers have same size.It has 6 digits . Two batches:
- 582--- / 584--- ( DH);
- 840--- / 892--- ( D ) .
Mvnt.: ETA 810 ( personalyze)
Case : chrome top , 33 mm .

TRITONA D.H. .
There are 3 sizes of Tritona : 30mm , 32mm and 34mm .
S/N : DH only . Letters and numbers have same size. It has 6 digits . £ batches :
281--- / 298--- In this batch there are the 34mm and the 30mm ( only 5 watches registered);
302--- / 304--- 32 mm;
307--- / 309--- 32 mm.
Mvnt.: two movements are used
- AS1130 for the 34 mm;
- FHF150 for 30mm and 32mm.
Case: all chrome top .

ZENITH D.H. ( 85 watches).

Case may be in S/S or chrome top. Both are 35mm in diameter .
S/N : DH only .Letters and numbers have same size . It has 7 digits . 5 batches :
- 83720-- / 83796-- S/S case;
- 83800-- / 83813-- S/S case;
- 83940-- / 83965-- S/S case;
- 83966-- / 83995-- Chrome top case;
- 84005-- / 841---- Chrome top case:
Mvnt.: Zenith Cal. 12.4.6 (brass).

ZENTRA D. ( 22 watches).
S/N : D only. Letters are bigger than numbers .It has 6 digits. One batch:
- range 600--- / 605--- .
I registered 3 Zentra DH also . They have unusual S/Ns : D. 15341 H. ,D. 347838 H. and D. 529564 H.
Mvnt.: AS1130 (personalized Zentra 344 or Zentra 8 ).
Case : chrome top , 34 mm .

Acacia Longines
Alpina Mimo
Arcadia Minerva
Arsa Moeris
Bielco Monitor
Bulla Mulco
Buren Nisus
BWC Onda
Choisi OPE
Civitas Para
Cronos Phenix
Doxa Pierpont
Emco Pronto
ERA Record
Ercules Recta
Felco Revue
Flora Siegerin
Freco Silvana
Gala Stabila
Glycine Stowa
Grana Syntakt
Gustonia Thiel
Hado Titus
Helios Tritona
Helma Wagner
Helvetia Zenith
Leonidas Zentra