Meister Anker 38mm Diver

Mark, thank you! We love the story behind this watch – East meets West and I’m glad it appealed to you too!

Is this a defector from the Eastern Block, I wonder? With a UMF movement at its heart and its “Meister Anker” name, I’m fairly certain it is.

At the end of the Second World War and the Soviet liberation of Eastern Europe, the allied forces took administrative control of Germany. In Eastern Germany, Soviet forces remained and started to rebuild manufacturing and the economy. The former clock and engine works of brothers Thiel GmbH Ruhla came under the control of the Soviet state enterprise Avtovelo.

In 1952, the enterprise was transferred to the new East German State and became the VEB Clock and Engine works Ruhla. Later the works became the Uhren und Maschinenfabrik Ruhla – hence UMF seen on these watch movements. Our particular watch has an all-metal movement which indicates Pre-1975 manufacture.

This particular Meister Anker 38mm Diver is in fantastic condition for its age and if it wasn’t for a scratch to the back of the watch where the wrong tool has been used to try to open the back, you would swear it was unworn!

The case shows minimal scratches with good Chromium. Only a minor chip to the back, which is not visible when wearing the watch, detracts.

A chunky classic black bi-directional bezel compliments the Black face which has Silver Baton markers for the Hours. The date is shown in Red at the 3 o’clock position.

White hour and minute hands are complemented by a bold Orange “sword” second hand. The crown is at 4 o’clock, so there’s no issue with digging into your wrist.

Currently presented on black leather with red stitching, “Rally” style strap, this watch is ready for its next adventure!