The Ruhla watch brand comes to life!
History on the wrist - Made in Germany. In its native Thuringia, the brand was known as a wristwatch for everyone from 1962 onwards. It quickly became trendy until VEB Uhrenwerke Ruhla broke up after reunification and the brand disappeared. On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the founding of Uhrenwerke Ruhla in the Thuringian watchmaking town of the same name, the Ruhla watch brand is now being relaunched by Uhrenwerke Ruhla GmbH - the successor company to the once-huge industrial complex, which is housed in the last remaining building. The listed Bauhaus architecture houses the watch assembly plant and the Ruhla Watch Museum, which brings the 160-year history of the complex to life. Our journey begins with the Ruhl 1929 watch in the heart of Germany in the picturesque Thuringian Forest. This symbol of a place, an era and the art of high-quality watchmaking has been with us for almost a century. In the Ruhla workshops, surrounded by nature, the foundation of German watchmaking was laid, which continues to this day.
Here, the ticking of mechanical movements blends with the tranquillity of the surrounding landscape, creating a symbiosis of tradition and modernity.
The Ruhla 1929 collection brings the spirit of the past into the present, honouring the masterpieces of bygone eras and combining them with the technology and design of the modern era. Each model is made with meticulous attention to detail and the highest quality standards, always considering the brand's rich history. These watches are not just time-keeping devices but also loyal companions that combine precision and style in every moment.
Kampfschwimmerkommando-18 Special Collection
Until the fall of communism, there was a special unit in the GDR shrouded in secrecy that few people knew about Kampfschwimmerkommando-18, stationed in Kühlungsborn on the Baltic Sea. The modernisation programme in the mid-1980s brought with it a new task force - the mine divers - and a new diving watch, which was developed and manufactured by Uhrenwerke Ruhla. The reinterpretation of the watch now brings this history to the wrist.
Lieutenant Commander Kurt Klingbeil began building a special diving group in 1958, originally equipped with only recreational diving experience. However, this group has developed dramatically over the years and has become a strong unit. Its ranks included experts such as snipers, explosives specialists, and divers specializing in various fields, including parachuting and medical care.
Despite never being deployed in military conflicts, the KSK-18 underwent a number of civilian operations, such as the naval salvage of the sunken torpedo boat 844 of the 6th Fleet of the Volksmarine GDR Command after a collision with the Swedish ferry "Drottningen" in August 1968, or the testing of a Mi-8 helicopter ship for dropping task forces with or without parachutes in January 1977.
Despite the successes, it took many years to fill the material and technical gaps, making mission work difficult. However, during the 1970s and 1980s, the combat swimmer command gradually evolved and strengthened, leading to improvements in equipment and training.
A key milestone was the "Structure 90" modernization program in the second half of the 1980s, which included the establishment of a separate operational diving squadron in 1987. This program reallocated tasks in KSK-18 and allowed for more intensive training in the tactical elements of each area of employment. New equipment, including modern dive watches delivered in 1983 and 1984, greatly improved the unit's capabilities.
These new dive watches, supplied to the NVA by the Ruhla watch factory, replaced previous models and were designed to meet the rigours of underwater operations, which often lasted many hours. This has improved the endurance and reliability of divers during long missions.
Ruhla 1929 is not just an ordinary watch brand; it is a testament to the German watch industry, where tradition, precision and skilled craftsmanship merge.
Every second has its meaning, not only for measurement but also for the experience and appreciation of time.
Join us on a journey where every tick of the movement is a loving reminder of the timeless craft of watchmaking. Immerse yourself in a world where time is not only measured but also experienced and appreciated.
