Exhibition in the foyer

UNION GLASHÜTTE – everything that makes a watch better

The history of the Glashütte watch factory UNION goes back to the merchant Johannes Dürrstein, born in 1845 in Niederrad near Frankfurt/Main. Together with his brother Friedrich, he founded a watch whole business in Dresden in 1874, which successfully traded in timepieces from Switzerland and Glashütte. Dürrstein appreciated the quality of the Saxon watches, but also recognised that they were only affordable for a few people. This is exactly what Dürrstein wanted to change. He kept a close eye on developments in Switzerland and America, where modern production methods were opening up new possibilities and a wider audience for the art of watchmaking. It soon became clear that this vision could not be realised with the traditional Glashütte producers without making compromises. For this reason, he decided to set up his own watch manufacturing company: the UNION GLASHÜTTE watch factory began operations in 1893 and moved into a purpose-built building in the centre of Glashütte in 1899 with 40 employees. It was the beginning of an international success story. Dürrstein’s idea that a UNION GLASHÜTTE should have everything that makes a watch better, but nothing that makes it unnecessarily expensive, also characterises today’s timepieces from UNION GLASHÜTTE.

Limited special edition for the anniversary

 To mark the 130th anniversary of its founding, UNION GLASHÜTTE is presenting a special edition limited to 300 pieces. The design of the “1893 Johannes Dürrstein Edition Chronograph Limited Anniversary Edition” is inspired by the very rare historic UNION GLASHÜTTE pocket watch chronographs. In doing so, the brand is tying in with its roots, to which it has always been connected. The watch is powered by a specially developed hand-wound movement with a regulator system and silicon balance spring, which combines traditional mechanics with modern cutting-edge technologies. The special limited edition model perfectly complements the brand’s collection, which exclusively comprises mechanical timepieces. The finely finished inner workings of all models can be admired through a glass case back. Their design is multi-faceted: from pure elegance to dynamic sportiness, from classic retro character to feminine decorations, the UNION GLASHÜTTE collection offers a wide variety of timepieces for every style and occasion.

You can visit the exhibition in the foyer for free during the normal opening hours of the German Watch Museum Glashütte. For the round trip through the permant exhibition applies the normal price list.