Old glashütte

Posts
24
Likes
12
Hi! I got a old watch that used to belong to my grandfather. It runs absolutely perfectly, the glass is in really bad shape and need to be replaced. I don’t know anything about this model.

year? Model? Rare? What is the value if I fix the glass and take it to service? Thanks in advance
 
Posts
3,531
Likes
7,560
The scratches on the crystal can be polished out with polywatch or similar stuff, then the watch will look much better.
Not much financial value in this piece, its more of sentimental value as a heirloom.
Edited:
 
Posts
1,790
Likes
2,001
Made in Germany (on the back) & made in GDR (on the dial) are contradictory, unless it was made/assembled just after the reunification in 1989.
 
Posts
8,711
Likes
14,616
By the way, it's not a vintage Omega either.
 
Posts
1,803
Likes
3,659
Made in Germany (on the back) & made in GDR (on the dial) are contradictory, unless it was made/assembled just after the reunification in 1989.
To "us", yes. But I wonder whether the Party orthodoxy of pre-reunification days was that GDR and Germany were one and the same thing, with the misguided western Länder merely waiting for the inexorable historic forces to correct their odd misunderstanding.
 
Posts
6,019
Likes
20,699
The case is a bit nicked up, but not horrible. It's hard to see if the markers are deteriorating or if it's just the crystal/glass. The writing on the dial seems okay, altough in some pictures it looks faded.

These are probably 200 usd or up to 300 in really nice shape. Yours can be cleaned up and made to be attractive. It's not in collector condition but those nicks were put in by your grandfather and are priceless. When you put it on your wrist you have a physical connection to him.

These GUB are not costly but they have a rich heritage. The Glashutte region is highly regarded and even though suffered during the war and afterwards, they were able to keep the watch making heritage alive. The glashutte museum will service these GUB because of their respect, although it is probably more money then its worth.

In short, the watches value is very high due to its heritage, both to your family and to the whole Glashutte watch making region, but it isn't terribly expensive because there were many made.
 
Posts
5,561
Likes
9,379
In the eyes of the East German party, the GDR was the only legitimate Germany. West Germany was the evil offspring of the USA Imperialism. So, Made in Germany was a proud sign for exporting Glashütte watches. Which had a reputation in the former eastern block. Made in GDR was a proud acknowledgment of the superior continuation of the German watchmaking history. Kind regards. Achim
 
Posts
1,790
Likes
2,001
In the eyes of the East German party, the GDR was the only legitimate Germany. West Germany was the evil offspring of the USA Imperialism. So, Made in Germany was a proud sign for exporting Glashütte watches. Which had a reputation in the former eastern block. Made in GDR was a proud acknowledgment of the superior continuation of the German watchmaking history. Kind regards. Achim
So this watch could have been from much earlier than late 80's?
 
Posts
6,019
Likes
20,699
Similar looking watches for sale claim to be from the 60's and 70's. Not hard evidence of course.
 
Posts
18,099
Likes
27,413
C cases tend to be from the mid late 60’s through early mid 70’s.

omega and seiko also did them in that period.
 
Posts
1,790
Likes
2,001
Many utilitarian objects in the eastern block remained un-updated for years.
 
Posts
1,790
Likes
2,001
Here is one with just germany on the back.
Glashütte ( Gub ) - Men's - Wrist Watch Spezimatic, Memory Of The GDR
There is a write up:
General: it is estimated that this watch was made around 1980 all in all

these movements were manufactured between 1972 and 1991. GUB stands for "glass

hütter watch companies VEB "(1951-1990), GDR for German Democratic Republic.

With the "specimatics" Clockwork succeeded in one of the

flattest automatic Wrist watchto develop the approx. 16 years - far into

the quartz clocks time hino - afterwas asked and is still popular today.

The accuracy of this Clocks can be to the Secustomer area regulate

ren.
 
Posts
1,706
Likes
7,066
Its a 70s watch. The Spezimatic movement was build until 1978 and then followed by the Spezichron. Both very reliable (Spezimatic a bit more than the Spezichron) and good movements.

As the others say, the name Glashütte has a big heritage, but those watches are the bread and butter ones of the former GDR. Almost 4 milions of these movements were produced, a lot of them went to Export markets. I guess thats why you find the "Made in Germany" on the caseback. It just sold better than with "Made in the Eastern Socialist part of Germany".

Just keep it to remember your Grandfather. Polish the crystal with Polywatch (cost around 4$) and spent it a new strap. Voila, enjoy!

Nico