====== VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe ======
{{wst>menue|VEB_Glashütter_Uhrenbetriebe}}

**VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe GUB\\ later VEB Uhrenwerk Glashütte im Kombinat Mikroelektronik** 

===== Merger of nationalized watch companies in Glashütte =====
The **VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe** arose on Juli 1, [[1951]] from the merger of the [[1946]] nationalized [[Glashütte]] companies as follows 

  * VEB Lange Glashütte (former [[Lange & Söhne]]), 
  * VEB UROFA with UFAG (former [[UROFA]]) and Basalt (Uhrsteinfertigung), 
  * VEB Feintechnik (former Gössel & Co. or Burckhard), 
  * VEB Meßtechnik (former [[Mühle|Mühle & Sohn]]), 
  * VEB Estler, 
  * VEB Liwas (former Otto Lindig) and 
  * Lehrkombinat Makarenkow.

From the beginning, according to the Glashütte tradition a high level of quality at the [[wristwatch]] production was specified and persevered through all movement designs. In the GDR the [[Glashütte]] watches were the top quality and in terms of income costed a fairly high price. High quality movements, coming from own production, were used, and also the quality of the cases was remarkable.

Interestingly, the watches were sold not only in Eastern Germany, but also in West Germany - there often in department store chains and under a different name - and till [[1970]] they contributed to the esteemed additional designation "Made in Germany". On the whole the models were good watches, but however they could never compete neither with the horological sophistication or with the outstanding reputation of the well-known Swiss brands.

===== Fusion with further companies =====
The concentration process of watch manufacturing in the GDR was continued in March [[1967]] with the merger of the

  * **VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe** (GUB),
  * VEB Uhren- und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla (UMF), and the
  * VEB Uhrenwerk Weimar 

to the VEB Uhrenkombinat [[Ruhla]], with totalled about 8,000 employees.

===== Products =====
During the communist era, VEB produced many watches and movements. These were generally not luxurious or even costly, but they were stylish and technically sound. Today, Glashütte watches from this period are considered collectible.

Introduced in [[1964]], the Glashütte "Spezimatic" was the most popular watch line in East Germany. Many millions of these watches were produced through [[1980]]. The last new movement created by VEB was their [[VEB 11-26|Calibre 11-26]], called "Spezichron". This would form the basis for the [[Glashütte 10-30|series of movements]] that brought [[Glashütte Original]] back to life in the 1990's and 2000's, laying the foundation for today's successes.

===== After the reunification of 1990 =====
After the reunification of [[1990]] the **VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe GUB** became the [[Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH]]. This acted as legal successor of all previous watchmaking companies in Glashütte.

In the [[quartz watch]] production after 1990 temporarily Swiss Quartz movements of the type TTC Longlife were used in addition to own mechanical movements.

After the Treuhand (trust), at the completion of the privatization, in early [[1993]] had found the French ebauche manufacturer [[France Ebauches]] from [[Besancon]] as desired buyer, the future of the company seemed assured. However, it soon became apparent that the French were also in need of rehabilitation and not only lacked a coherent concept of survival, but also did not have the necessary capital for further investments. Only several months later, the fiduciary had to look for new owners.

The number of employees had shrunk from 2,000 to only 70. In October [[1994]] one was finally able to launch a new beginning, after a long search for a buyer. Under the direction of [[Pfeifer, Heinz W.|Heinz W. Pfeifer]] one took the only right step to the rescue Instead of trying to engage in a continuation of the previous low-cost and mass production, the founders refocused on the still residual competence in manufacturing mechanical movements. The company was completely repositioned as a luxury brand under the name [[Glashütte Original]]. Both the model range and also the advertising campaign experienced a complete reorientation. The venture proved successful, because it succeeded in subsequent years and revived alongside the also [[Glashütte]]-based manufacturer [[A. Lange & Söhne]], which was revived with the support of [[IWC]] or [[LMH]]. It was possible to develop a new, considerable reputation as watch producer in the upper price segment.

===== Literature =====
  * [[Lexikon der Deutschen Uhrenindustrie 1850-1980]] Firmenadressen, Fertigungsprogramm, Firmenzeichen, Markennamen, Firmengeschichten. Author [[Schmid, Hans-Heinrich]]; Herausgeber Förderkreis Lebendiges Uhrenindustriemuseum e.V.; ISBN 3927987913
  *[[Mechanische Armbanduhren aus Glashütte 1950-1980]]; Author [[Heinrich, Werner|Werner Heinrich]]; Herausgeber Callwey; Auflage 1 (September 2007); ISBN 3766717197


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Germany Manufactures Glashütte}}