Ruhla and the Kosmos

In memory of Kosmonaut Sigmund Jähn 1937-2019

InterKosmos Soyuz 31 USSR-GDR pin badge

The Ruhla Watch and Machine Works was tasked with providing two time pieces for the Interkosmos Space programme between the GDR and the USSR. The first was a multi-function electronic quartz stopwatch, the calibre 87-01, developed by Ruhla specialists for recording timings for experiments to be performed by the kosmonauts whilst in space. The second item was a special souvenir watch for the kosmonauts using the new Ruhla quartz watch calibre 28-40.

Sigmund Jahn answered a question put to him about the watch he wore on his space mission. Here is a translation of his reply. (See original text)

“At the start, I was wearing my “normal” watch. However, in my luggage were four watches which had been produced as a special souvenir by the Ruhla watch works. There was one for each of the three Russian Cosmonauts on board the space station Salut -6 (the fourth was for me).  How many of these watches were made is beyond me.  They have been awarded in any case, even after the space flight as a souvenir. I assume that the dial was added to an existing watch .

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Sigmund Jähn

Sigmund Jahn Soyuz-31 1978

Bykowski and Jähn in front of the Vostok Rocket prior to take off – Gemeinsam auf der Erde und im All

Sigmund Jahn Ruhla Quartz Calibre 28-33 Cosmonaut’s Watch (1978)

Civilian issue of the Kosmos Ruhla Quartz

Bykowski and Jähn after landing wearing Ruhla Quartz – Gemeinsam auf der Erde und im All

Sigmund Jähn wearing Ruhla Watch on return from Kosmos – Gemeinsam auf der Erde und im All

Sigmund Jahn Space Flight

Ruhla Stoppuhr 87-01

Sigmund Jahn Soyuz 31 1978

Cosmonaut Bykowski handles the Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch whilst in training.

Development of the Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch

Ruhla Stoppuhr developed for the Soyuz Space Programme Experiments for use by Sigmund Jähn Kosmos- Gemeinsam auf der Erde und im All

Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch 1978

Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch and case

Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch battery housing

Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch case back detailing different modes

Cosmonaut Sigmund Jähn receives the Order of Lenin and Hero of the Soviet Union awards from Leonid Brezhnev

Sigmund Jähn Fliegerkosmonaut der DDR

Sigmund Jähn Karl Marx Order

Cosmonaut Jan Bykowski received the Karl Marx Order and Hero of the GDR award from Erich Honecker

The Ruhla Calibre 87-01 Stopwatch 1978

Ruhla Electronic Stopwatch in the Armee Museum of the GDR 1981.

Opening of the exhibition section “Shared Space flight USSR – GDR”, associated with the transfer of the land apparatus of Soyuz 29 to the Army Museum of the GDR on 26 August 1981 – Ruhla Electronic Stop Watch front of the left hand cabinet. On Sigmund Jähn’s right is Heinz Hoffman, Minister of National Defence in the Council of Ministers of the GDR.

Test equipment from the space mission at the Armee Museum of the GDR 1981 – top Audiometer, bottom left Ruhla Electronic Stop Watch, bottom right – sound Level Meter.

Ruhla Calibre 87-02 Stopwatch 1978

Vostok Rocket – Gemeinsam auf der Erde und im All