Glashutte Tutima World War II Flieger chronograph 59 cal

[royadair123]

I have a very collectible German Military Luftwaffe pilot's flyback chronograph by Glashutte which I have owned since 1947 and details of which are as follows:

CASE: Large case with fluted bezel. The screwed back signed "Wasserschtz, Uhrenfabric AG Glashutte (Sa) and numbered 210676. Large pushers control the chronograph. Top pusher starts and stops the chronograph and the bottom pusher resets the counter to zero.

DIAL: Original black finish with Arabic numbers and matching luminous filled Mercedes hands. Registers for constant seconds (left) and 30 minutes (right). Outer 1/5 second graduation.

MOVEMENT: Original cal. UROFA 59, all parts original. Glashutte Urofa Tutima 15 Ligne, 21 jewel, Caliber 59 manual- winding chronograph movement with flyback feature. The chronograph bridge is stamped with the same number that is stamped on the case - 210676.

SIZE: 39mm (not counting crown), 48mm long (lug to lug), 1`w2mm thickness.

Is it possible to date the year of manufacture from the serial number and can anyone give me an approximate valuation?

[Janne]

For the valuation - check out internet based auctions like Ebay etc.

Too much depends on the functuality and condition.

Can you please post some sharp pics, Dial side, caseback and of the movement?

[stuffler,mike]

Production from 1941 (200.001) to 1945: app. 15.000 pieces, most likely yours was made before Nov. 1943 (211.500). plates should be siver plated, no shock protection. Case should be made out of brass, the back should be stainless steel, lugs are soldered on, right ?
217.116 to 218.052 have been made in Russia after 1945 by the 1st Moskow Watch Factory.

We do not give valuations. Here's why:

Rule #1: 3 things influence the value of a vintage watch: condition, condition and condition. It’s very difficult to assess condition from a photo, hence any online value estimate is a crapshoot.


Rule #2: If you have a solid gold case, add $500 US to the price assessment. If it's encrusted in diamonds and is platinum, it doesn't much matter about the watch part anyway – the scrap value will be higher unless it’s say a Rolex, Patek or Vacheron.


Rule #3: The watch is worth what a buyer will pay for it. There are price lists published, but they assume the watch has been serviced and is in running condition. Any buyer will have to deduct at least $100 US from the price list value if the watch has not been recently serviced. A watch seller will not give you more than 50% of the posted price in any case. Often eBay is the best way to get an idea of what your watch is worth.


Rule #4: Your antique watch is worth far less than you think. They are not rare, even if they are old. For instance Elgin made over 50 MILLION movements. They were built to last and be repaired so a lot of them are still around in various conditions of course. The average price for an 80 year old pocket watch is around $150 US. Of course how do you put a price on something your grandfather gave you when you were 7?


Rule #5. When it comes to wristwatches, men’s are worth more than ladies’ models. Women are not as interested in old mechanical things, and the ladies’ watches are often really tiny - that’s out of fashion today. Besides, the men’s watches of the 30s and 40s are quite small and can serve as unisex pieces. So ladies, go ahead and wear Dad’s old Bulova if you want.


Rule #6: Watches stink as an investment. I bought an 1883 keywind Hampden in 1978 for about $100 US. It's value today? Maybe $175 US. I'm not going to retire on those types of returns. It's a great watch though.

Rule #7: When in doubt, refer to Rule #1.

Hope you'll understand.

[Peter Hennessy]

Hi Mike,

So, from your research on the serial numbers pre and post war : Can i be certain that my Tutima Chrono 59, s/n 216372 was assembeled in Germany and i can correctly advertise it as a genuine WWII watch ? I have had some differing answers over the last few years whether it is or not. Of course if it is a german assembeled watch i will be a happy man !! ,

best regards,

pete

[stuffler,mike]

Assembled in Germany: I'd say yes.
WW II: I'd say no.

215242 has been produced in 1945, so I assume yours has been produced after WW II in Memmelsdorf (Unterfranken/Germany), the place Dr. Kurtz fled to by a "new" company named "Dr. Kurtz Glashütter Tradition". It is said that watches produced in Memmelsdorf/U.S.-Zone have been delivered to the US forces. The reassembly of these movements and selling them to US forces led to the grow and "prosperity" of the new watch factory Kurtz Glashütte Tradition. Researches reveiled that some Tutima watches have been produced without bezel and logo on the dial. There is some good reason to assume that serial numbers in the high end (215 001 - 216 651) are a post-WWII-production. But if I remember correctly: That's what you already know

Yours might feature a stainless steel back and rotating bezel (no bezel is possible as well which is then a strong indication re Memmelsdorf). Case should be nickel-plated brass and soldered on lugs. Inside: No drilling for the minute wheel spring on its base plate.

Don't know of any translation but it will give you an idea what is known about the variations of movements and cases: http://www.glashuetteuhren.de/app/do...s?t=1338782150

[Peter Hennessy]

Many many thanks Mike. All the confusion and information i have gotten from various sources had pointed to it not having been a WW II example. But from the serial ranges you have determined that it would have been produced in Memmelsdorf. Now i finally know with certainty exactly what i have and can advertise it as such !
You state "Researches reveiled that some Tutima watches have been produced without bezel and logo on the dial." That is exactly what i have.
You also state "Yours might feature a stainless steel back and rotating bezel (no bezel is possible as well which is then a strong indication re Memmelsdorf). Case should be nickel-plated brass and soldered on lugs. Inside: No drilling for the minute wheel spring on its base plate.
Again mine does feature a stainless steel back with NO bezel. Case is nickel-plated brass and soldered on lugs. I will have to check regarding the drilling for the minute wheel spring but i am sure my watch will prove to have this feature as well.
So from a historical point of view my watch my watch is one of those unique to the growth of the new watch factory Kurtz Glashütte Tradition.
Where this places the watch in terms of market value may prove to be difficult for me
Once again, many thanks for your kind assistance !