Ultra Rare Vintage 1930s UFAG Glashutte Cal 581 VA Stainless Steel Art Deco Tank Watch
Brand: UFAG Glashütte (Uhrenfabrik AG)
Department: Men
Model: Kaliber 581 Tank
Case Size: 22 mm x 37 mm (without crown)
Movement: Mechanical (Manual)
Caliber: GUB 581 / Urofa 581 (Raumnutzwerk)
Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
Style: Luxury, Art Deco, Antique Dress
Year Manufactured: 1935-1942
Case Material: VA Stainless Steel (Edelstahl)
Number of Jewels: 15 Jewels
Features: Rare Early G-Logo Dial, Pre-War UFAG Glashutte Signed Case Back, Fixed Wire Lugs, Sub-Second Dial
An exceptional, museum-grade piece of German horological history. An authentic pre-war 1930s UFAG Glashütte rectangular tank watch, powered by the legendary Caliber 581 Raumnutzwerk and housed in its original factory-signed VA high-grade stainless steel case.
Description:
For sale is an incredibly rare, historically significant, and highly sought-after vintage mechanical timepiece from the golden era of Glashütte watchmaking. This watch is powered by the legendary Caliber 581 (originally developed by Urofa as Caliber 58), celebrated among advanced collectors as the Raumnutzwerk (space-utilizing movement). Its clever rectangular form-factor was specifically engineered to maximize the interior space of the geometric Art Deco tank case, showcasing supreme pre-war German engineering.
The 100% original dial proudly displays the early stylized Glashütte G logo above the small sub-second register at the 6 o'clock position, framed by a classic black railroad track minute scale and elegant blued steel hands.
The premium snap-on case back is a true historical document, factory-stamped with the prestigious pre-war hallmarks of the Aktiengesellschaft era: "Original VA Edelstahl" (high-grade stainless steel) alongside the historic imperial German proof marks (Crescent Moon and Star) and the deep signature "Uhrenfabrik A-G Glashütte/Sa."
The case measures a classic period-accurate 22 mm in width (excluding the crown) and 37 mm from lug to lug, equipped with robust fixed wire style lugs typical for the era.
Condition & Visual Description:
Dial: Factory original pre-war UFAG Glashütte dial showing a highly attractive, honest antique patina, age-appropriate oxidation, and genuine historical character exactly as pictured. Complete with its original deep blued steel hands.
Case: Solid VA stainless steel rectangular tank case with fixed wire lugs. Shows genuine surface scratches, tiny dings, and signs of wear that preserve its elite historical integrity and vintage character.
Case Back: Clean interior decorated with perlage. The exterior side features crisp, deeply stamped official pre-war factory trademarks and technical hallmarks, completely free of any later post-war or East German modifications.
Movement: Exceptional, clean, and fully authentic GUB/Urofa Caliber 581 manual-wind movement. The bridge is factory-stamped with its low production serial number 581. 15 Jewels.
Technical Details:
Brand: UFAG Glashütte (Uhrenfabrik AG / Pre-GUB Era)
Model Line: Caliber 581 Raumnutzwerk Tank Series
Era: Late 1930s / Early 1940s (Pre-War)
Case Dimensions: 22 mm wide (without crown) x 37 mm lug-to-lug
Movement: Manual winding, 15 Jewels, Caliber GUB 581 (Urofa 58)
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sub-Seconds at 6:00
Condition & Media: Sold exactly as shown. Review all pictures carefully; they form an integral part of the description and represent cosmetic condition.
⚠️ CRITICAL MOVEMENTS GUIDE & BUYER AGREEMENT:
⚙️ MANUAL WINDING: NO BATTERY. Powered by mainspring. Wind crown clockwise (15-20 turns) until you feel natural resistance. Do not force it. Rewind every 24-36h.
🔄 AUTOMATIC WATCHES: NO BATTERY. Powered by wrist movement. Arrives stopped due to transit. Shake gently for 30-60 seconds to start, then wear regularly.
🔋 QUARTZ WATCHES: Powered by battery. Fresh battery installed before shipping.
⏱️ VINTAGE ACCURACY & SERVICE: This is a 30-90 year old historic collectible, NOT modern quartz. Daily variance up to +/- 3 to 5 minutes is standard and expected. All timepieces are professionally inspected, tested, and serviced when necessary before listing. However, due to their antique nature, future routine maintenance or fine calibration over time remains the buyer's responsibility. Vintage watches have ZERO water resistance; keep away from moisture.
🚫 FRAUD PROTECTION: False returns (e.g. "defective" due to normal vintage variance or lack of battery) will be immediately reported to eBay as policy abuse.
💼 Selling Policy: All sales final. Ask questions BEFORE bidding/offering. If an item arrives damaged, contact us immediately to arrange a return.
✈️ Shipping & Customs Terms:
• Origin: Shipped from Ukraine via registered AirMail with tracking. Despite the war, our postal system works reliably and securely.
• Delivery: Due to wartime logistics and customs, shipping may take longer. We deeply appreciate your patience and support.
• Duties: Import taxes and fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
✉️ Customer Care: We strive for a 5-star experience. If any issues arise, contact us directly via eBay messages before leaving feedback. We resolve all concerns professionally.