Ruhla, Cal. UMF 24-42, Women’s Manual Wind Vintage Watch

Ruhla 1989 — restrained geometry in a compact dress-watch format

This Ruhla presents a clean late-1980s design with a 35 mm case and 40 mm lug-to-lug measurement, giving it clear wrist presence while keeping the overall profile controlled. Its softly squared case form frames the circular dial closely, creating a simple contrast between the outer case and rounded display. The restrained palette allows the gold-tone details to stand out against the bright white dial.

White dial with gold-tone quarter markers

The white dial is arranged around four small gold-tone circular markers at the cardinal positions, leaving generous open space across the surface. Fine dark curved lines form a sparse chapter treatment around the perimeter. The Ruhla signature sits below 12 o’clock, while “ANTIMAGNETIC” is printed above 6 o’clock. At the lower edge, the visible “MADE IN GDR” marking directly identifies the watch with East German production.

Gold-tone hands and open chapter detailing

Gold-tone hour and minute hands echo the markers and provide warm contrast against the white background. A slender central seconds hand adds another fine linear element without disturbing the open composition. Together, the hands, sparse markers and curved chapter accents create an uncluttered display with immediate readability and a distinctive period character.

Polished cushion-shaped case and burgundy strap contrast

The silver-tone case has a polished appearance and a cushion-like outline, with short lugs that keep the strap close to the body of the watch. A narrow bezel surrounds the crystal and preserves the emphasis on the dial. At 35 mm across, the case has balanced vintage proportions and an uncomplicated exterior that suits the minimal dial layout.

Case profile, bezel and ridged crown

The crown sits at 3 o’clock and has a pronounced ridged edge for practical grip during manual winding. Its gold-tone appearance coordinates visually with the dial furniture and hands. The exterior shows light signs consistent with vintage age, while the polished surfaces retain a bright overall presentation in the supplied image.

New burgundy crocodile-embossed leather strap

A new high-quality burgundy leather strap adds richer color beside the neutral case and dial. Its crocodile-embossed texture and contrasting stitching strengthen the dress character while remaining appropriate to the watch’s proportions. The 18 mm lug width gives the strap enough visual substance to balance the case, and the adjustable fit suits a practical range of wrist sizes.

UMF 24-42 manual-wind pin-lever movement

Inside is the VEB Uhrenwerke Ruhla UMF 24-42, a manual-wind pin-lever caliber identified in the supplied product data as a GDR movement without jewels. Manual winding gives ownership a direct mechanical routine through the crown rather than an automatic rotor or battery system. The caliber is therefore central to the character of this watch, pairing straightforward mechanical operation with the period-specific dial and case design.

Late-GDR identity expressed through dial and movement

This example is dated 1989, and the dial explicitly carries the “MADE IN GDR” marking. Together with the VEB Uhrenwerke Ruhla UMF 24-42 caliber, those confirmed details give the watch a clearly defined late-GDR identity. Buyers comparing related pieces can browse our Ruhla vintage watches with GDR-era mechanical character. For broader comparison, the manual-wind vintage watches with traditional mechanical operation collection places it alongside other hand-wound timepieces.

Serviced condition, operational status and originality

This watch is listed as serviced and fully operational, with all original watch components confirmed. The fitted burgundy leather strap is new and is not presented as an original period strap. The listing includes a 12-month warranty. No box or papers are included, and no water-resistance claim is made for this vintage watch.