1893 Johannes Dürrstein Edition

In 2018, to mark 125 years since the manufacture was founded in 1893, Union presented the "1893 Johannes Dürrstein Edition", an openly declared tribute to its founder. The model that opened the line features a newly developed hand-wound calibre, the UNG-56.01, with small seconds and power reserve indicator, a white enamel dial with anthracite Arabic numerals and blue hands, and a 3/4 plate with gilded engravings and the striped finish typical of Glashütte. The movement bears the stylised temple that Dürrstein registered as his trademark in 1894, used as a guarantee of authenticity. The case, 41 mm wide and 12.25 mm thick, was offered in 18-carat rose gold in a limited edition of 125 pieces, and in an unlimited steel version.

Unlike other celebratory editions conceived as one-offs, the "1893" name and the design language linked to Dürrstein remained in the catalogue after the anniversary, becoming a permanent collection: over the following years the line expanded with a small seconds version, a power reserve version, a chronograph and several moon phase variants, up to a "double moon phase" showing the northern and southern hemispheres on the same dial.

Today the "1893 Johannes Dürrstein Edition" covers the widest price range in the whole Union line-up, from steel small seconds models up to the €13,900 limited-edition moon phase, and it is the line in which the brand most explicitly ties the look of its watches to its 19th-century history, rather than to sporty or fashion codes.