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Home » The Gruen Model Database » 1930's » GRUEN purse watch / travel watch (Only seen a photo once before)
GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7131] Tue, 09 August 2016 09:45 Go to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
I have announced to get an interesting Gruen a few weeks ago, after 2 month I got it in the post yesterday. Here are a few quick and dirty photos. I found only one single photo in the web of such a model before. There I have seen that it did have a bow to wear the watch attached to some kind of chain.
The case is stamped GRUEN W. Co. twice, the dial says GRUEN and the movement GRUEN GUILD, so it is all authentic for a true Gruen. The hallmarks in the sterling silver case are for the Huguenin frères Niel factory in Le Locle, there is also a patent mark with the #98835 in the case which is the patent for such kind of folding case for this case factory. It was filed for in 1922 and issued in 1923, so 1923 is the earliest possible date for this watch. The 885 movement would put it towards 1925 or later. The watch is not mentioned in the 1927 or 1929 Guild books or the 1931 amendment so I tend to believe the watch might be from 1925 or 1926. Any thoughts about a date?

Model name : unknown
Type : purse watch / travel watch
Period/date : ca. 1930
Gender : bi

Case Maker : Huguenin frères, Fabrique Niel
Case Material : Sterling silver with Niello filling
Case Serial : 18578
Case Style no : n.a.

Caliber : 885
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild (FHF?)
Movement Serial: 148876

Bracelet : none

Other info : bow missing

index.php?t=getfile&id=2941&private=0
Closed front view

index.php?t=getfile&id=2944&private=0
Open front view

index.php?t=getfile&id=2942&private=0
Inside, marked Gruen W. Co. on the upper right

index.php?t=getfile&id=2940&private=0
Movement container back

index.php?t=getfile&id=2943&private=0
Movement
  • Attachment: Back.jpg
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  • Attachment: Front.jpg
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  • Attachment: Inside.jpg
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  • Attachment: Movement.jpg
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  • Attachment: Open.jpg
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Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

[Updated on: Tue, 09 August 2016 09:46]

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Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7133 is a reply to message #7131] Tue, 09 August 2016 16:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
I agree with you on the date. Gruen has done a few different models of this type of purse watches before a more "industrial approach" was chosen with the Carre model.

My feeling is that these early purse watches were mostly one-off's or very small series. I collected photos of some examples over the years. I will post a few when I have access to my computer again.
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7134 is a reply to message #7133] Tue, 09 August 2016 16:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
Oh yes, forgot to say that I'm jealous of your nice watch. Did you find it in Germany?
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7135 is a reply to message #7134] Tue, 09 August 2016 16:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Hi Thomas,

yes, I purchased it in Germany. Please post the photos when available.
I also thought that this watch was offered before the Carrés were announced. I also believe that only a few hundred have been made at max. Even without the bow I am sure it was worth it's price.

Barney


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7162 is a reply to message #7135] Sat, 13 August 2016 19:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
Here are a few examples that I have found.

The following two look very similar (but have suttle differences) and are marked Alpina on the dial, but Alpina Gruen inside.
index.php?t=getfile&id=2954&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2955&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2953&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=2956&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2957&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2958&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2959&private=0

[Updated on: Sat, 13 August 2016 20:05]

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Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7163 is a reply to message #7162] Sat, 13 August 2016 20:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Wow, I did not know that they issued so many different modela! I was aware of the different Carre variants, but it is astonishing that they also issued a variety of travel watches. Cool stuff, thank you very much for sharing the pictures!

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7164 is a reply to message #7162] Sat, 13 August 2016 20:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
This one is a true Gruen as opposed to the other two and marked Gruen only.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2960&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2961&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2962&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2963&private=0
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7165 is a reply to message #7164] Sat, 13 August 2016 20:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
The final purse/travel clock that I have found is not marked at all, but according to the seller had a Gruen movement. So can't really say if this one is original or not.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2964&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2965&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2966&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2967&private=0
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7166 is a reply to message #7165] Sat, 13 August 2016 20:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
If you can still call it a travel or purse clock I don't know, but this is definitely the best I've ever seen

index.php?t=getfile&id=2968&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2969&private=0index.php?t=getfile&id=2970&private=0
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #7171 is a reply to message #7166] Sun, 14 August 2016 04:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Awesome! I have heard of those cigarette lighter watches and seen some in a catalog, but I never knew that Gruen also sold some of these under their name.

Thomas, this is amazing stuff you have are showing here, far from the Gruen mainstream. I have seen the Gruen / LeCoultre Atmos being sold quite often. Although this is not the typical Gruen stuff there seem to be quite a number of them on the market. But the watches here seem to have been sold in very small quantities.


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

[Updated on: Sun, 14 August 2016 04:57]

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Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12191 is a reply to message #7131] Fri, 21 February 2020 01:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 331
Registered: May 2013
Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
I am delighted to say that I have my own to add to this thread, arriving today fresh from ebay (maybe I was bidding against some of you?).

These are the sellers photos but the watch is on my desk and it is just wonderful. It has the exact same markings as Barney's, including the patent number of 98835. I did go through the 1920s and 1930s ad books to double check, and it isn't there.

Case Serial : 18605
Movement Serial: 148599


/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6149&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6150&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6151&private=0
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12192 is a reply to message #12191] Fri, 21 February 2020 03:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thesnark17 is currently offline  thesnark17
Messages: 651
Registered: January 2017
Gruen Master
Ya beat me on that one. But I'm glad it's gone to a good home!
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12193 is a reply to message #12192] Fri, 21 February 2020 06:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently online  JackW
Messages: 1880
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin
Nice! All of the examples up thread are. But this one. wow!

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: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12194 is a reply to message #12193] Fri, 21 February 2020 06:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Cool! I saw it but as I already have one of these I did not bid high. Good to see that you got it in the end, Jason!

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12198 is a reply to message #12194] Fri, 21 February 2020 17:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
afire is currently offline  afire
Messages: 1316
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Authority
I saw that too, and while tempted, had to stick to my wristwatch only rule. FYI, the name for that finish is niello.
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12199 is a reply to message #12198] Fri, 21 February 2020 17:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Yes, Niello or "Tula-silver". Tula because this city was famous for this technology and Niello because of the Fabrique Niel which most likely made this case. It was run by the Huguenin Freres and I would bet the their "Niel HF" mark is stamped into the case. I just bought a pocket watch two weeks ago with almost exactly the same finish...

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6157&private=0

Not a Gruen...
  • Attachment: Niello.jpg
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Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12200 is a reply to message #12199] Fri, 21 February 2020 17:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
afire is currently offline  afire
Messages: 1316
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Authority
Interesting. I didn't know that Huguenin Freres was known for this type of case. And you are correct about the mark being there:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DpYAAOSwrGtePLlc/s-l1600.jpg
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #12249 is a reply to message #12200] Tue, 10 March 2020 14:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
olivierwatch is currently offline  olivierwatch
Messages: 11
Registered: December 2019
Location: France
Gruen Apprentice
Very interesting indeed ! I am amazed by the amount of knowledge on this forum !

I love vintage Gruen watches.
My website
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #13309 is a reply to message #12191] Mon, 17 August 2020 19:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
May be of interest.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6811&private=0


Matthias
Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #13355 is a reply to message #13309] Thu, 20 August 2020 17:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 331
Registered: May 2013
Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
Wow, that seems to be it! Where (and when) did this ad come from?
.

[Updated on: Thu, 20 August 2020 17:18]

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Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #13356 is a reply to message #13355] Thu, 20 August 2020 18:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1728
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
It comes from the 1924 edition, vol.2, of the "Indicateur Suisse De l'Horlogerie" also known as Davoine.

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

[Updated on: Thu, 20 August 2020 18:06]

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Re: GRUEN purse watch / travel watch [message #13359 is a reply to message #13356] Fri, 21 August 2020 02:53 Go to previous message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
Hey, beat me to it, fitting, thank you for being the one to point it out to me also.

Kastner, there are a two more ads for Huegenin in that 2nd volume. And how is your hunting for an ad for every watch going? Lmk if you are stuck with one...


Matthias

[Updated on: Fri, 21 August 2020 05:35]

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