108th Auction

2023/5/20

Lot 75

Uhrenfabrik AG Glashütte i/Sa.

An aviator's early and rare chronograph of the "Deutsche Luftwaffe" with flyback mechanism, 30 min. counter and bidirectional rotating bezel - manufactured in the highest quality level "Tutima"

estimated
4.0005.000 €
Price realized
-
specific features
Case
Brass, chrome-plated, nickel-plated bezel, steel screw back.
Dial
Black (re-printed), skeleton hands (re-lumed).
Movement
Manual.
Case no.200448
Cal.59
Diam.39 mm
Circa1941
Ctry.Germany


When the manufacturers Urofa ("Uhren-Rohwerke-Fabrik Glashütte AG") and Ufag ("Uhrenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft Glashütte") were certified for the production of military goods in 1938, they were given very explicit specifications for the development of a chronograph for the German Air Force with regard to accuracy, usability and thermal resistance. The cases were required to withstand a pressure of 15 bar for 1.5 hours. Tolerance for the accuracy was set at -3 to +12 seconds per day at -10° to +40° C; the design included a flyback mechanism as well as a shock protection system. The chronograph parts were integrated in the movement and not constructed as separate modules (as is common today). Some of the wheels, parts of the gear train and other parts were imported from Switzerland. After a development phase of approximately two years (from 1939 to 1941), this type of aviator’s chronographs was manufactured from 1941 to 1945.
Source: www.glashuetteuhren.de