Hi,
The Sachs Quarz group was the direct successor of the Sachs New Success mtn group. Under this link many pics of the Quarz group =>
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92056929@N00/
On the where they come from question I would like to add that my Quarz cranks say Sugino (Japan) on the back. Several bearings seem to be from SKF (Sweden, if I am correct). The type of quick releases I've also seen from other makes. I do not know whether they are in fact the same or only looking very similar.
The mechs do indeed look very well made. Metal only, no plastics.