For us at Nautische Instrumente Mühle-Glashütte, the year 2022 is a very special one: because our S.A.R. Rescue-Timer is celebrating its 20th anniversary of service. In February 2002, we handed over the first watches to the coxswains of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS). Since then, the S.A.R. Rescue-Timer has proven itself in the tough everyday life of the sea rescuers on the North and Baltic Sea
The watch was developed together with the coxswains of the sea rescuers. Among other things, they use the S.A.R. Rescue Timer as a timer during night operations. Thanks to its hands generously equipped with Super-LumiNova and the characteristically shaped indices, time orientation is possible at all times.
After the S.A.R. Rescue-Timer was manufactured unchanged for 20 years, we have made a moderate facelift to the proven mission watch to kick off the anniversary year. The modification includes a black date disc with white numerals and a crown in bead-blasted stainless steel, which perfectly picks up the look of the matte case. Since the rescue watch is still in service with the sea rescuers and must fulfill a precisely defined purpose here, the facelift of the proven watch has deliberately been very moderate.
Since its introduction, the S.A.R. Rescue-Timer has become the Mühle icon par excellence. This is not only due to the functional and unmistakable dial design, which makes the S.A.R. Rescue-Timer recognizable even from a distance of several meters – but also to the high suitability for everyday use of a practical watch that can simply do everything.
Over the years it also with our icon various special editions for special occasions. Here is a brief overview of the special editions.
The robust timepiece was presented for the 10th service anniversary of the S.A.R. Rescue-Timer in 2012. In the process, it was put into a new SAR jumpsuit, so to speak, because the typical red was found not only in the shiny black and red ceramic bezel, but also in the design of the dials.
There were two dial and case variants of the S.A.R. Anniversary Timer, which was also larger at 44 mm, one of them with black DLC coating. Both versions were limited to 250 pieces each.
In 2015, this special edition was presented for the 150th anniversary of the DGzRS: It bears the symbol of the sea rescuers – the Hanseatic Cross. A daily changing viewing window displays seven important pieces of information about the DGzRS.
For the 15th anniversary of use in 2017, a special edition limited to 150 pieces with a case made of aluminum bronze was released.
In August 2020, this special edition limited to 150 pieces was presented by Mühle-Glashütte and jeweler Wempe to support the sea rescuers on the North and Baltic Sea. The occasion was the previous christening of the sea rescue cruiser HAMBURG.
Its case middle part is made of 18-karat yellow gold and contains a very high content of fine gold, totaling 70 grams. The special edition from 2022 is limited to 20 pieces.
For more than 157 years, the German Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) has been ensuring safety on the North and Baltic Seas. In this way, the sea rescuers take on an important and often dangerous job, to which numerous people owe their lives. Since its foundation, the society, which is financed purely by donations, has rescued more than 86,000 people from distress at sea.
The foundation was preceded by several serious shipwrecks on the North Sea coast, which led to calls for a German sea rescue organization. This initially led to the founding of regional rescue associations, which joined together in Kiel on May 29, 1865 to form the German Search and Rescue Service (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger). So when Robert Mühle founded our family business in Glashütte, the DGzRS had already been in existence for several years.
Since 2002, the sea rescuers and Mühle-Glashütte have had a common tradition. In February of that year, the first S.A.R. Rescue-Timers were handed over to the DGzRS coxswains. The watch was developed together with them and tailored to the tough requirements at sea. As a watch brand with a nautical background, cooperation with the sea rescuers was an obvious choice. They are often on duty in rough seas. While the sea rescue cruisers and boats have always been highly seaworthy, many private wristwatches have been damaged during operations. So in March 2001, we contacted the sea rescuers and proposed the development of a user-oriented watch that could withstand the tough conditions of use.
Shortly before its 20th anniversary, the 10,000th S.A.R. Rescue Timer was manufactured. We are now auctioning it off for the benefit of the sea rescuers. Over the years, a close, almost friendly partnership has developed between the sea rescuers and Mühle-Glashütte. In addition to regular donations and specially developed special editions, this partnership is now also manifested in the auction of a special watch, the proceeds of which will benefit the important work of the German Search and Rescue Service.
You have various options, if you would like to have your Mühle watch professionally serviced. For example, you are welcome to bring your watch directly to our manufactory or send it to us by post with the note “Service”. Please contact us in advance if you would like a service in our manufactory in Glashütte. We will be happy to provide you with more information about our services, the safe shipping of your Mühle watch and send you a return slip. In addition, you can contact a Mühle retailer in your area. They will not only give you competent advice, there you can also hand in your watch for an inspection conveniently and easily.
The most important technical information on our current watches can be found on our website by visiting the “Wristwatches” page and selecting your collection/model. Technical details for your model can also be found in the instruction manual for your watch. If you have any further questions, especially regarding older models, please feel free to contact us.
