Halda: Watch Movements and Pocket Watches from Sweden – Part 1

Sweden is not one of the countries that springs to mind when you think of manufactures of pocket watches and movements. Until recently, I had never heard of it either. Here we take a look at a chapter in watch history that is as exciting as it is exotic.

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Honestus: Pocket watch with visible balance

Watches in which the oscillating balance is visible on the dial are not a modern phenomenon. This already existed in pocket watches more than 120 years ago. As an example, I am presenting a pocket watch from the Honestus brand here, whose history is quite interesting.

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The UMF 24-39 for Ruhla Sumatic and midimatic alarm clocks

The caliber UMF 24 from the VEB Uhrenkombinat Ruhla (UMF = Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik = watch and machinery factory) is probably the best-known mechanical movement built in the former GDR. Around 130 million of these simple and inexpensive pin lever movements are said to have been built between 1963 and 1990, many of them for export.

Ruhla Sumatic with UMF 24-39
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Wintermantel: Miniature Clocks from the Black Forest

Wall clocks are not normally my thing. But the ones shown here are so small and cute that it’s worth taking a closer look at them. These are miniature clocks from the manufacturer Wintermantel in Triberg in the Black Forest, Germany.

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