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Home » The Gruen Model Database » 1940's » Pan American Captain
Pan American Captain [message #7728] Thu, 02 February 2017 04:31 Go to next message
abacus is currently offline  abacus
Messages: 2
Registered: February 2017
Gruen Apprentice
Model name :Captain
Type :Pan American
Period/date :1940's
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :Wadsworth
Case Material :14K SG
Case Serial :G649000
Case Style no :534

Caliber :420SS
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

Other info :

Hello,
New guy here....I have Granddad's watch, just wondering a bit about it if anybody can help on year, value, etc.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Photo's uploaded.
Various info obtained so far:

fancy lugs.

On the Face:
Gruen Veri-Thin, Precision, (has a 24 hour face).

Back of Case:
Outside: Gruen, W 14K GOLD"
Inside: Wadsworth, G649000, 420 534, SS.

On Movement: GRUEN WATCH CO, SEVENTEEN JEWELS - 17, 420 SS, UNADJUSTED, (serial number i think, underneath and partly obscured by brass gear)index.php?t=getfile&id=3180&private=0 1A__2411 or 14__2411.
On or by mainspring cover (i think)-- VERI-THIN, PATENTED.
By "F S" lever: SWITZERLAND, GXC

On the Gold Watch Band:
GRUEN 14K GOLD, MADE IN USA, PAT PENDING.

Again, thanks for any help.
index.php?t=getfile&id=3181&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3180&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3181&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3182&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3183&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3184&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3185&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3186&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=3187&private=0
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[Updated on: Sun, 04 February 2018 17:56] by Moderator

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Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7731 is a reply to message #7728] Thu, 02 February 2017 20:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
Messages: 2108
Registered: May 2013
Location: Left Coast
Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

Welcome to the forum Mike!

I'd say you have a 1946 Pan American Ace. Gruen began advertising the Pan AM in 1943 for The Pan American
"Clipper" flying boats. Never see a solid gold band from Gruen like that.

You got a keeper for sure!

Edit: Oh BTW value? Priceless considering it was your grandpa's watch!

[Updated on: Thu, 02 February 2017 20:53]

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Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7732 is a reply to message #7728] Thu, 02 February 2017 20:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Hi,

first of all welcome to this nice forum. I am not the expert of mens Gruens, but I think what you have there is a very nice example of a late 1945 Pan-American Captain with a strap which seems to be original. Everything solid gold. this is a highly sought after model if I am correct in IDing it.
It did originally cost about $120 without the golden strap. What is it worth today? I guess at least ten times the money...


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7733 is a reply to message #7732] Thu, 02 February 2017 20:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
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Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Ah, Gary was faster in typing...
So, Ace or Captain? As I said, I am not the expert.


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7734 is a reply to message #7733] Thu, 02 February 2017 21:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
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Barney Green wrote on Thu, 02 February 2017 20:57
Ah, Gary was faster in typing...
So, Ace or Captain? As I said, I am not the expert.
My mistake. Barney is correct, a Pan American Captain. He is now an expert, I've now been demoted to a novice. ;-)
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7736 is a reply to message #7734] Thu, 02 February 2017 21:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
Welcome to the forum, Abacus!
You have an awesome watch.
I am absolutely salivating over that very rare gold band. Surprised
Thanks for sharing your treasure.


"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7740 is a reply to message #7736] Fri, 03 February 2017 02:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 331
Registered: May 2013
Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
That's a wonderful watch Abacus, and even better with the family connection. I have one too, with SN G649371. I also own a yellow gold version with SN G592073

Captain? I've always thought that this was an Ace. Paul thinks so at http://www.pixelp.com/gruen/1945.html

What is the difference between them?
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7741 is a reply to message #7740] Fri, 03 February 2017 03:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
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kastner wrote on Fri, 03 February 2017 02:25
Captain? I've always thought that this was an Ace. Paul thinks so at http://www.pixelp.com/gruen/1945.html

What is the difference between them?
I think this ad confirms it.

http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=126&private=0

[Updated on: Fri, 03 February 2017 03:42]

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Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7742 is a reply to message #7741] Fri, 03 February 2017 07:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
It's a) the different lugs and b) the solid gold material which makes it a Captain...

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7745 is a reply to message #7742] Fri, 03 February 2017 15:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 331
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Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
Thank you Barney and Gary, I stand corrected. These are Captains. I can't believe that I hadn't seen that ad before....
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7746 is a reply to message #7745] Fri, 03 February 2017 23:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
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Hi,

Nice watch! Can't disagree with what has already been said above. Although this is the second time I've seen a Captain with the gold band. It went on eBay for over $1000; way beyond what I could afford.

The Ace also came in solid gold but these are pretty rare.... The Captain and the Swiss-cased solid gold are more common. The Captain is seen on eBay less often then the Swiss cased Pan Am. Same at shows too in my experience.

Do you know the year the watch was purchased? If you can provide serial numbers on the case and the movement we can see how it fits in with the others from Gruen that came with the 420 movement and a Wadsworth case.

Here is an example in the ID'd forums...http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg& ;th=73&goto=302&#msg_302


All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me

"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton

[Updated on: Fri, 03 February 2017 23:18]

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Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7749 is a reply to message #7746] Sat, 04 February 2017 16:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
abacus is currently offline  abacus
Messages: 2
Registered: February 2017
Gruen Apprentice
Hello All,
First, thank you all for your time, expertise and efforts! I really appreciate it!

JackW,
I do not know when Granddad bought this, but 1945 would make sense as he could have been celebrating that both of his sons survived the war (my dad a LT CMDR on a destroyer, north atlantic, Normandy-Omaha Beach, my uncle a AF pilot).
As far as numbers:

Back of Case:
Outside: Gruen, W 14K GOLD"
Inside: Wadsworth, G649000, 420 534, SS.

On Movement: GRUEN WATCH CO, SEVENTEEN JEWELS - 17, 420 SS, UNADJUSTED, (serial number i think, underneath and partly obscured by brass gear)1A__2411 or 14__2411.

I'm planning to have this watch serviced and cleaned, any recommendations on a craftsman? I'm located in the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for the Help!
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7751 is a reply to message #7749] Sun, 05 February 2017 16:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
Messages: 1862
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Location: Denver
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Thank you abacus!

Gary should know someone in that corner of the US to do the service.


All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me

"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7752 is a reply to message #7751] Sun, 05 February 2017 19:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
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JackW wrote on Sun, 05 February 2017 16:49
Thank you abacus!

Gary should know someone in that corner of the US to do the service.
We have Renaissance Watch Repair in Bellevue which does great service and has a good guarantee.

I've also sent my non Gruen repairs out of town to The Watch Tech. His prices are very reasonable and does great service.

[Updated on: Sun, 05 February 2017 19:21]

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Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #9731 is a reply to message #7752] Sat, 19 January 2019 02:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
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Well, since there is a Pan American Captain already in the 1940s group, I'll add to this one. Too bad that Abacus has never been back to give an update on the restoration of his grandfather's watch. Pretty darn cool watch.

Here is mine that I received in trade for work on another person's group of watches. It came with an obvious redial and incorrect hands. Out of serendipity, an uncased movement and an nearly NOS dial for a Captain was listed on eBay last August. Seller told me the case had been scraped. Rolling Eyes Crying or Very Sad

So here is my entry:

Model name: Captain
Type: Pan American
Period/date: 1940's
Gender: men

Case Maker: Wadsworth
Case Material: 14K yellow gold
Case Serial: G648719
Case Style no: 534

Caliber: 420SS
Movement Maker: Gruen
Movement Serial: A473929

Bracelet: Modern leather strap; made in Germany.

Other info:

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4043&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4041&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4040&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4038&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4044&private=0


All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me

"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #9736 is a reply to message #9731] Sat, 19 January 2019 03:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
That looks AWESOME, Jack!

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #9776 is a reply to message #9736] Mon, 21 January 2019 00:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
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That dial is really nice!

Still here....
Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #9778 is a reply to message #9776] Mon, 21 January 2019 03:07 Go to previous message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
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Thanks Liz and Mikey.


All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me

"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
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