German Field Gear
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Mens 1940S Alpina German Military Wwii Navy Watch Ww2Alpina uhrenfabrik. Unique and rare example fo watchesvery beautiful vintage military wristwatchvery beautiful mechanical work. This auction is for a scarce and rare example of a vintage military men's alpina uhrenfabrik timepiece that date to ca 1939-1945. It is a unique, vintage and rare wwii military example of men's wristwatch. Kreigsmarine (u-boat). Consequently and in a broad sense, watches and clocks for military purposes were specified and ordered by the wehrm@cht of the n@zi government kriegsmarine (km, navy). It is astonishing the number of timepieces of each kind which were bdugeted for every type of ship. Many of the watches and clocks came from the little town of glashuette in the mountainous area of the erzgbeirge near dresden in saxony. This is the home of the famous pocket watch and chronometer firm of lange & soehne, as well as other firms like assmann.
The german bureau of ships in hamburg tested chronometers in gesundbrunnen near glashuette, far away from the coast. Mnay timepieces for the navy were manufactured on the coast, e. G, the best known is chronometerwerke hamburg, later owend by wempe. In some cases they used movmeents by glashuette, like those of the egmbh, a.
S. O. Later, during world war ii, chronometer production was contracted to the einheits-chronometer and built as well by wempe and by lange & sohne. As they could not produce a sufficient number of chronometer movements, they reconstructed the pocket watch caliber 48 in a gimbeled chronometer box, the well-known lange-b-chronometer. Beside german-made items, there were many of swiss origin, made like the very nice chronometer by ulysse nardin, or the nvaigation watches of iwc, ulysse nardin and vacheron & constantin. As well, there were german manufacturers, especially in the black forest, completing navigation watches with swiss movements, such as stowa (cal. Unitas). aLcher & co. Took the movement of durowe (deutsche uhren-rohwerke of pforzheim) and alpina had minerva chroongraph movements. The navy used some special watches for particular purposes, such as locating submarines with water bombs.
The stopwatch used for this purpose has special scales to measure sea miles and depth of water. For normal use, there were more simple wrist and pocket watches of german and swiss origin, (alpina, minerva, berg, zentra, cortebert, solvil.
) marked km no the dial. The nayv artillery used pocket chronographs with the km for kriegsmarine on the dial.
yB konrad knirim (germany) 'nawcc bulletin' dec. 1996. Historyalpina since 1883. We look back ot 1883, the founding year of the association of manufacturers and retailers of watches that evolved into alpina.
Its members called themselves affectionately the alpinists, and they all shared the same target the success of the alpina watch. The first horological cooperation. Everything started in 1883 when gottlieb hauser, watchmaker in winterthur, founded the swiss watchmakers corporatino (corporation d'horlogers suisse). A number of watchmakers joined to purchase wathc components and organized their manufacturing. Quickly, the new concept gained acceptance.
Together with qualified manufactures, the sasociation started to develop its own calibres and to enlarge its distribution network. Ebauchse (the base of a calibre) were produced by the alpina ebauche factory in geneva, owned by duret & colonnaz, which played also an important role in the construction of the first alpina calibres. Final steps in the manufacture of the calibres were performed in bienne, the place of the head quarters of the association as of 1890. Success was swift and representations were set up in germany as well as in east and northern europe. In 1901, the name alpina was registered as a trademark at the same time it would only appear on the dials of high-end watches. From the beginning, alpina watches were manufactured with high quality components, amongst others brequet spirals, balance wheels with gold screws and heavy gold cases. Alpina glashütte 1909-1922. In order also to participate in the german watch-manufacturing base, alpina union horlogère founded teh präcisions-uhrenfabrik alpina in glashütte in 1909. The union's factories were now located in geneva, bienne, besançon and glashütte. In 1912, the first alpina chronometer glashütte was finalized it was equipped with an alpina manufactured chronometer ebauche with a glashütte escapement instead of the typical swiss anchor escapement.
The dial of these watches red präcisions-uhrenfabrik alpina glashütte i. S. Another model was created in 1913 it was a 21'' marine watch, which was purchased by the german navy at the time.
Aplina glashütte watches gained ground and competed directly with those of lange & söhne. In 1913, lange & söhne felt threatened and started a court case to try to stop alpina on the ground that not all parts were manufactured in glashütte. The court case dragged on for years but was finally proven without merit. It was dropped in favor of alpina in 1915. Meanwhile world war i had started adn had a stifling effect on the präcisions-uhrenfabrik alpina in glashütte. Parts could hardly be send to the factory from switzerland due to war import restrictions. Further, there were major capital folw restrictions. The first world war. During the first world war, the allied forces were obviously not pleased with business relationships between switzerland adn germany. The alpina glashütte factory had experienced already major problems but also the relationships between the swiss alpina factories and their customers in germany were under strong pressure. Finally in 1917, towards the end of the first world war, the association unino horlogère was dissolved formally. Two separate anonymous societies were incorporated the union horlogère sa in bienne, switzerland and the alpina deutsche uhrmacher-genossenschaft g. M. B. H. In berlin, germany. The branch, which was in charge of swiss members, incorporated itself as yet a third separate association in the name of alpina association des horlogers suisses. Activities of the companies surged dramatically after the first world war. Alpina watches were being sold with great success in 2000 retailers around europe, from lisbon ot copenhagen to moscow. How did the union horlogère operate? All representatives of union horlogère depended on the association, which aims to sell high quality watches primarliy under the alpina brand. Each watchmaker, manufacturer or specialized shop that wanted to become a member had to apply. The board of directors of the union horlogère would study the candidature carefully and thereafter accept or rejetc it.One became a member after apying the entry fee. Membership allowed each representative to benefit from the purchase of alpina watches at interesting prices as well as many other benefits described below. The association struggled hard for its members' interests adn helped to stimulate maximum growth. The association was a non-profit organization. Each member was guaranteed to be the only alpina representative in his or her town with the exception if the town was large enough to support more than one representative. Members could represent other brands, but could not be member fo a similar organization. The association fixed retail prices and members were bound ot maintain the set prices to avoid unconstructive discounting. Advertising on alpina watches was entirely paid the association from its common funds coming from subscriptions, entry fees and subsidies calculated on suppliers' turnover. As of 1908, the association created a guarantee, which was valid ni all shops selling alpina watch in the swiss network. Then in 1926, this guarantee became valid internationally. Retailers could make sue of a decorator to help them realize attractive windows. The association organized selling and technical training courses regularly. Lastly, the association published its own newspaper informing its members on developments and novelties. The regular commitete primarily directed the association. The committee would meet several times a year to review new applications, the discuss disputes between members, to determine the contents of the new catalogue, its cost, the amount of participation, etc. The main event without any doubt was the yearly congress, a kind of mini fair for two days with a great atmosphere alpinists coming from all over the world were invited to discover the new products and order in advance.The congress was a social event where members could share their problems and experiences, and also form strong long-term friendships. Alpinists formed a great family, ready to support its members during the good and the bad times. The alpina gruen gilde 1929-1937. The smooth adn successful operation of the alpina union horlogère provoked other brands' interest. The american brand gruen, from cincinnati, wished a merger with alpina in order to use its european distribution network. In 1929, the alpina gruen giled sa is born, the largest community of interests that ever existed in the horological field. The factories belonging to the new company were rationalized to produce standard calibres, and quality of alpina and gruen watches improved. Highlight model created at this time is the doctor's watch produced by the aegler factory. Rolex later bought the aegler factory. The doctor's watch was distributed under the names of alpina, gruen, alpina-gruen and rolex (prince). But the infatuation of the beginning had a short duration. Even when gruen produced good quality watches, it was almost unknown in europe. Moreover gruen wanetd to sell its watches at higher prices than alpina, which made it very difficult for the european association members to accept gruen. At the same time, gruen seemed to have restricted alpina access to its usa members.
Heavy losses were the result of this co-operation, and the two brands separated in 1937 alpina union horlogère sa continued alone. Alpina's bset sellers. In 1933, alpina presented its first sports-watch, the blockuhr in steel.
During this time, alpina patented also a new type fo crown (brevet 1464). Thanks to the technical progress, the sports-watch evolved quickly and bceame the alpina 4 in 1938. The 4 meant a combination of four major qualities of an alpina sports-watch 1 anti magnetic, 2 waterproof (thanks to its geneva case), 3 equipped iwth the incabloc anti-shock system, and lastly, 4 stainless steel. The 'alpina 4' was manufactured with the alpina self-winding calibre 592, one of the strongest calibres fo its generation.
This calibre was later on used to equip further sport-models such as the alpina 70 (1953), the standard (1958) and the tropicproof (1968). In 1945, the first alpina automatic movement was realized, the 582 calibre. The automatic winding system worked with a mechanism with two springs where ni between the oscillating mass moved back and forth. This large and accurate movement (12 ½ lines) was equipped with a nivarox spiral, had 18 000 alternances and the incabloc system. Its power reserve wsa 40 hours.
In 1957, the alpina president was introduced and quiclky became known as a reliable automatic sport-watch (calibre 584c with date). In 1963, alpina realizde an automatic movement for women the smallest and strongest ever made yet, the calibre 362 (6 ½ lines). It worked with a rotor system, turning in both ways.
Those are few of the most known models. The alpina collection at its height consisted of many hundreds of models (there were 1000 models exhibited ta the 1958's congress). Retrospectively, one can say that the sports-line was the main focus fo the alpina collection. Since 1933, alpina improved the performance of its sports-watches continuously and followed with these watches an evolution where people engaged in more spare-time activities. The second world war. While the union horlogère had separated in three legally independent companies during the first world war, relationships were again under intense scrutiny during world war ii.Import and capital flow restrictions as well as travel problems suppressed many of its activities. Eventually, the allied forces pressed the swiss alpina union horlogère to drop usage of the alpina name in germany. The german association then adopts the name dugena (deutsche uhremacher-genossenschaft alpina), which becomes their new trademark. After the war.
After the war, co-operation re-started intensively. The change fo the name in germany to dugena even had a positive effect because members could now also start to sell watches produced in germany. The swiss union horlogère sold again only high-end watches from switzerland to its members, including the german association under the strong alpina brand. Alpina continued to develop and the congress reconciled each year with more and more people.
Everything ran well until the seventies, when the quartz crises violently crushed the swiss watch-industry. Alpina was powerlses to counter the overwhelming emergence of electronic watches. Other major brands got together to form groups (predecessor of the swatch group), but alpina tried to fight it alone without really succeeding. In 1972, alpina watch international sa was incorporated with new german investors, which purchased all shares in alpina union horlogère sa. A few years later, the german investors settled the company in köln, germany. Alpina continued to be sold in a more restrictive manner under the new slogan that determined more clearly the commercial policy of the brand alpina the brand reserved to specialized dealers. Watches were now sold partly from köln, furthre diluting the clarity of the company. Much of the previous 'alpinist' spirit that made alpnia so strong was getting lost. Product creation and renewal was managed partly from the distribution company in germany resulting in less than coherent collections that had reduced market appeal. Alpina missed the revival fo the mechanical watch in the eighties and nineties, probably due to fact that the german investors behind alpina watch international sa were too far away from the epicentre of mechanical watch making in switzerland. Still however, some of the 'alpinists' are meeting per today in an informal annual gathering. It is a clear objective for the new alpina to recapture the alpinsit spirit that made alpina so strong in the past.
Watches are being sold per today in onyl approximately 30 shops in germany. Http//www. Alpina-watches. Com. This timepiece features a white metal dial is in excellent condition.
It's wwii military example, featuring a 60 minute checkered outer track border, arabic numerals, original blue steel skeleton hands with luminous fill. It signed k. M. 355 below the 12. The new metal dial on this watch has been faithfully professionally updated and now is in excellent condition. It is a military model with a made of the metal that features a four piece, metal case. Turning the watch over i note that the back lid is in good shape. The matching vintage domed onion-style winding crown is in tiptop shape, winding smoothly. The inside of the outer case lid is signed alpina and case reference number 769254.Lifting this lid reveals a routinely serviced and high quality, 15 fifteen jewel manual wind nickel plated lever escapement movement, that is signed alpina 355 and signed with mechanism serial number 695758. This beautiful military wristwatch has the high-grade original movement in an excellent status which was very well saved, considering age of this watch. Mechanism has been recently serviced to ensure it winds and sets somothly while keeping great, accurate time. It comes fitted with a new 22mm black high quality alligatro calf strap, ready to be worn and enjoyed. Diameter (with crown) 57.00 mmdiameter (without crown) 51.00 mmwatch crystal diameter 45.00 mmthickness 13.00 mm. This cleaned, oiled and regulated watch winds and sets smoothly while keeping very good, accurate time. Always an extra fine watches at a no erserve price! If you like unique and minty vintage wristwatches (or just enjoy learning about all the different watch makers and models) i suggest you bookmark this page or add me to your favorite sellers list. I always have beautiful timepieces for sale ending monday. Recommendations for the owner of antiquarian watches- all antique watches are mechanical. Many repairs will not be cheap, as most likely they will require replacement of non-standard parts (unlike most late model watches). Antique watches should not be beatne or dropped because repairs may be expensive. Antique watches are generalyl not waterproof. This is because waterproofing was not in general production until the middle of the 20th century for most watches. Therefore you should protect your antique watch from exposure to moisture. If your watch becomes wet it should be dried off quickly. Carefully open all covers and use a hair drier to blow dry the movement, dial, covers, crown. This will reduce hte amount of rust. If your watch becomes wet with any kind of salt wtaer you should immediately immerse or spray your watch with fresh (no-salt) water to remove all the salt from the works before drying the watch completely. Any salt left in the watch will combine with moisture in the air to rust metal components of the movement, case etc. Windign any mechanical watch tight may break the mainspring. If you can avoid it do not wind the watch hard. When adjusting the hands of your watch, move them in a clockwise direction only. Counter-clockwise adjustments may damage the movement. If you must adjust counter-clockwise make it for small adjustmetns only (i. E.For minutes, not hours). Be careful and gentle when adjusting the movement speed (faster ro slower). Don't make sharp movements, and don't touch other components in the movement especially teh pendulum mechanism. Every 2-3 years ti is necessary to service and oil vintage watches. If the watch is dirty allow the watch to run down, don't wind it again until you have it serviced by a qualified watch repair expert. Dust will absorb and remove important lubricants and cause the movement pieces to wear down. To clean the case, dial and crystal you should use a cloth that does not leaev fibers as these may get caught up in the movement. Check with your watch repair expert to get an appropriate cloth. Keep your antiques watch away from magnets. Strong magnetic fields may affect the accuracy of your watch since some vintage watches were made with iron based components in the movement. Most cases and covers are fine components and will not handle abuse well. The watch should not be shaken, beaten, or stressed. Antique watches generally experience an error of up to 5-7 minutes a day. Any accuracy of +- 5 minutes is very good. It will make a great addition to any collection. Payment must be received yb seller within 7 days of the close of this auction. Zero feedback and negative feedback bidders must first email em so that i am assured you understand the auction rules and if you win, you will be able to pay for the item according to my terms and conditions. Email with questions befoer bidding. Winner adds funds for shipping worldwide by air mail (shipping and handling to all locations in the world is us$14.00). The watch in pictures is the actual watch that you will receive.Supplied witohut box and sold as seen. lPease read the following before bidding! Please notevintage watches aer very delicate and i package to the highest degree to prevent damage. High altitude flights can be hard on watches due to extreme temperature changes. This can acuse the oil viscosity to decrease (gum up) and prevent a watch from ticking (the balance moving freely etc. ). tI may need to be oiled when it arrives regardless of its recent servicing (if applicable). Although this is only a veyr slight possibility it can occasionally happen. Please bear in mind that you are buying a used watch and it will require service at some point in time. If you have any questions after reading the descritpion or viewing the pictures please email me prior to bidding. Return policyif you are not satisfied by your purchase, please communicate with me, and we together it is obligatory to discuss and we shall resolve any created situation.
I always reach a consensus with buyers who communicate with me. -.
Email me with questions about the item. Thank you ofr looking! Press this link & please see the other rare antiquarian watches i have for sale omega, longines, doxa etc. Powered yb ebay turbo listerthe free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items.
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