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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Men's wristwatch

Men's wristwatch by VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla

Partially verified

This men's wristwatch was produced by VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla. The object is held in the collection of the Deutsche Fotothek. The museum description records the watch as being constructed from plastic, specifically cellulose nitrate. The visual documentation shows a wristwatch with a round dial, Arabic numerals, and a sub-seconds register positioned at the 6 o'clock location. The watch is presented on a leather strap and is worn on a wrist in the provided photographic record. The manufacturer is identified as VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla, a state-owned factory in the former German Democratic Republic. The photographs depict the watch from an angled perspective, showing the dial details, case shape, and attachment to a standard strap. No specific date of manufacture is provided in the source record beyond the identification of the production facility.

Men's wristwatch by VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla as documented by the Deutsche Fotothek.
Men's wristwatch by VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla as documented by the Deutsche Fotothek. — Deutsche Fotothek via Europeana. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Wristwatch · Men's wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rössing, Roger & Rössing, Renate (Production/Photographer)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The wristwatch is documented as being produced by the VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla. The museum record specifies that the housing is manufactured from plastic, identified as cellulose nitrate.

The design of the dial includes a full set of Arabic numerals for the hour indications. A secondary dial, utilized for the display of seconds, is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark.

Evidence for this section
  • “made of plastic (cellulose nitrate)”
  • “Men’s wristwatch of the VEB watch and machine factory Ruhla”

Institutional Documentation

This object is catalogued within the collections of the Deutsche Fotothek. The associated record documentation identifies the item as a production specimen from the Ruhla state factory. The information provided by the institution serves as the primary technical reference for this object's identification, although further independent authentication or historical verification of the specific watch type remains pending as per the provided source notes.

While the manufacturer name is provided, the record notes that the material and wider type represent the museum's own attribution. The Deutsche Fotothek holds this object as part of its wider photographic archives, where it has been documented via photographic media.

Evidence for this section
  • “held by Deutsche Fotothek”
  • “Men's wristwatch from VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla; made of plastic (cellulose nitrate).”

Provenance and Attribution

The attribution of this object is linked directly to the VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla. The documentation provided by the Europeana aggregator and the Deutsche Fotothek identifies the manufacturer as the primary source of origin. The provenance is explicitly stated as being held within the Deutsche Fotothek collection.

This imagery is attributed to Roger and Renate Rössing, who are listed in the museum records as responsible for the photography of the specimen. The status of the record is identified as partial, with research recommended to further substantiate the technical details and historical context of this specific watch manufacture.

Evidence for this section
  • “Men’s wristwatch of the VEB watch and machine factory Ruhla, Rössing, Roger & Rössing, Renate (Production) (Photographer)”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement caliber housed within the cellulose nitrate case?
  • Can the production timeframe be narrowed based on the factory name change or the specific use of cellulose nitrate in Ruhla production?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Men's wristwatch by VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerVEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla“VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla”
MaterialCellulose nitrate plastic“made of plastic (cellulose nitrate)”
Holding institutionDeutsche Fotothek“held by Deutsche Fotothek”
Object typeMen's wristwatch“Men’s wristwatch of the VEB watch and machine factory Ruhla”

Visible details

  • Dial features Arabic numerals for hour markers
  • Sub-seconds register located at the 6 o'clock position
  • Case material is documented as cellulose nitrate plastic
  • Attached to a dark leather strap

Research qualifications

  • Date of manufacture is not specified in the source
  • Specific model designation is not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Men’s wristwatch, VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 11f57714c3

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other men's wristwatch records