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The feminine side inside you [message #13190] Sun, 09 August 2020 07:09 Go to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1961
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Okay, something I wanted to ask for a long time.

I collect ladies watches and have a few mens models. I can wear them both without a problem because a have a small wrist and being female. The mens watches are tiny for todays fashion so no one has a clue they are male.

But what do you men do? Do you wear ladies watches, does it look awkward, special occasions? Or are they only showpieces in a closet?
And the smallest mens models? Or even more, pocket watches.

Just curious. Embarrassed

You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13193 is a reply to message #13190] Sun, 09 August 2020 11:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1755
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
As most of you know, the majority of my collection is also ladies watches. But I do not wear them. Just the mens models are worn by me, and mainly smaller models, because I also have small wrists. The biggest watch I ever wore was a 39mm diameter round model, and it looked a little odd at my wrist. The Imperial Tank is the best fit to my wrist though it is a bid long already. But it has a nicely curved back and I love wearing it.

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

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13197 is a reply to message #13193] Sun, 09 August 2020 14:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary is currently offline  Gary
Messages: 2165
Registered: May 2013
Location: Seattle
Gruen Authority
Cheerleader
I can't put a finger on why I have them.

-They are cheap, we'll used to be...
-Got tired of the yellow gold of the other eras
-Its hip to be square Very Happy
-All of gents watches of the era have been hoarded, we have no choice
-I feel all inclusive. I'd be missing out on more than half of the conversations here.

Gruenites are very unique for these reasons. There are very few men out in the wild who collect ladies timepieces IMHO.

Yes I do wear them, I think along the 30's era we have some unisex pieces that look good on both.

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13199 is a reply to message #13197] Sun, 09 August 2020 15:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 339
Registered: May 2013
Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
First of all, the tanks are considered teeny by today's standards and I wear them all the time

I have a number of ladies watches and I do wear them from time to time. They are just too fun and cool (especially the Orne!) not to show them off. I don't do as well with the pocket watches, but your question reminds me that I have been meaning to look for a nice fob. Off to eBay!

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13201 is a reply to message #13199] Sun, 09 August 2020 19:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
These are from a time when men were secure enough to wear their masculinity somewhere other than their wrists!

I collect first gen lady Curvex models, just because I think they are the most beautifully designed watches ever made, by anyone. Looking forward to actually wearing my 861 pre-cartouche, as its every bit as large as an 877 Quadron. Will be picking it up soon.

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13204 is a reply to message #13199] Sun, 09 August 2020 19:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1961
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Good to hear that some of you wear them. They are way to nice to sit tight.

And no, I am not making an appeal to the Gruenites to buy more ladies models. 😉 I agree Gary, the prices are rising ☹️

I made a necklace from some fobs. I am not a brooch kind of girl.

You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13207 is a reply to message #13190] Sun, 09 August 2020 20:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
Jenneke, I typically wear my Lady Gruens on special occasions...like when I go out dancing dressed to the nines in my Joyce Hubrite fun-every-minute Gruen dress. Smile

Sometimes my gf will wear one, a cartouche but she has her own style & isn't interested in most of the design I love.



I'm just interested in all the Gruens, y'know? They are such a diverse brand spanning decades of different designs that I think I sometimes am attracted to a ladies model. I think of myself as...collecting gruen watches. I actually do not have that many womens models.... relatively speaking.

Sometimes I purchase a watch just to answer a question I have. I study it to learn.



But yes, I really like small watches, I picked up this Strap 401 bc it's the smallest round (oval) dial I could find. Anyone know a smaller men's *dial* than this?

Matthias

[Updated on: Sun, 09 August 2020 21:50]

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13212 is a reply to message #13207] Mon, 10 August 2020 00:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
The Veri-Thin Major is in contention (or whatever the real name is for this one)

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6765&private=0

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13214 is a reply to message #13212] Mon, 10 August 2020 00:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thesnark17 is currently offline  thesnark17
Messages: 654
Registered: January 2017
Gruen Master
I don't wear the women's watches, but I consider the earliest ones to be unisex. I do collect a few when I can. My wife wears them but is afraid to damage them.

I usually carry a pocket watch. I prefer the smaller men's watches when I do not. Current pick: 440 Curvex Trooper. I also love the 400/401 family of watches. Not big watches by any means!

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13231 is a reply to message #13214] Mon, 10 August 2020 18:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
afire is currently offline  afire
Messages: 1344
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Authority
I've got no issues with small men's watches. My current favorite, and smallest, was cataloged by Gruen as a men's watch, but I know that Alpina also marketed it as a ladies' sports watch.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Music/Hotlinking/i-MbxkP5F/1/0152f73e/XL/IMG_1658-XL.jpg

If I can get my '36 Master off the ground, that will be may absolute smallest, and I will happily wear it.

I'm always keeping an eye out for a 1934 Varsity.
http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=3850&
Would I wear it? Yes, but I'd have to keep a copy of this ad in my back pocket to prove that it is a men's watch.

And should anybody wonder whether wearing a dainty watch is unmanly, I would direct them to one Mr. Huber Scott-Paine, aircraft and boat designer, record-breaking power boat racer, entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of Supermarine (of Spitfire fame).
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Scott-Paine_timing_500.jpg
https://alchetron.com/cdn/hubert-scott-paine-256d437a-e4e4-48c1-a068-2fa90d1eada-resize-750.jpeg

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13232 is a reply to message #13231] Mon, 10 August 2020 18:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thesnark17 is currently offline  thesnark17
Messages: 654
Registered: January 2017
Gruen Master
I have the Tilton. It's a nice watch and not very small in my eyes. The band makes it looks smaller of course. The Varsity looks interesting.

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13234 is a reply to message #13232] Mon, 10 August 2020 19:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Any idea if that Varsity is all guildite or mixed materials? Can’t tell from the ad. Always curious, bc in this era it seems like anything is possible.

And they managed to work in “smart” for the Tilton, of course. Had to say it at least once per ad...

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13236 is a reply to message #13234] Mon, 10 August 2020 19:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1755
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
The Varsity had been yellow gold filled, caliber 306.

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

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13237 is a reply to message #13212] Mon, 10 August 2020 19:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
What caliber is in this? Anyway should be pre Veri-Thin, 1936.

I haven't been able to find a model name for this version of yours without dub or sweep seconds. I like these models a lot.... I still think I have ya beat for smallest dial on Strap 401.

Matthias

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13238 is a reply to message #13237] Mon, 10 August 2020 20:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Mine? A 500 (caliber) or 501 (caseback). GXC & 512k Star Case, so late 1936-37 feels right

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13239 is a reply to message #13238] Mon, 10 August 2020 22:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
Ya, yours. So I'm pretty sure Quadron! 148 has the smallest mens round dial I have ever seen! Leave it to Gruen to put a tiny round dial on a Quad. Haha.

Did you know Alpina had a model that is very similar from same period. Huge seller for them. Called Tresor.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6773&private=0

Matthias

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13240 is a reply to message #13239] Mon, 10 August 2020 22:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thesnark17 is currently offline  thesnark17
Messages: 654
Registered: January 2017
Gruen Master
And sold with a Gilde movement as an option. One wonders. Could they possibly be using a 157 in both? We know that Gruen and Alpina both used the caliber, and Alpina used the Gilde branding on it.

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13241 is a reply to message #13240] Tue, 11 August 2020 01:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
That would be interesting to find a 157 one. Wouldn’t be surprised if Alpina stayed on as Factory 2. The early 500s were thus marked.

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13243 is a reply to message #13238] Tue, 11 August 2020 01:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
Dan,
Are you referring to your Major?
Mine has a cal 485 and sub seconds.

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13244 is a reply to message #13243] Tue, 11 August 2020 09:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1755
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
These Tresor watches were all based on round movements. So no chance for a 157 in there...

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

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13245 is a reply to message #13244] Tue, 11 August 2020 13:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 339
Registered: May 2013
Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
Those are great picture of Huber Scott-Paine, a fellow I was unfamiliar with but am now jealous of!

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13246 is a reply to message #13190] Tue, 11 August 2020 19:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
I realized, as I was about to post some ads, that my interest in Lady Gruens is a direct out growth of my love of early Gruen history and early wrist watch history.

Matthias

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13396 is a reply to message #13246] Mon, 24 August 2020 12:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
A Tresor just showed up here: 264840288106

It’s a Siegerin, a brand used by Marc Favre & Alpina. This Siegerin cal 565 is a Favre caliber, and you may recognize it as the Gruen cal 587 (Factory 1).

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13431 is a reply to message #13396] Wed, 26 August 2020 05:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
Funky strap in this Major ad, czech it.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6911&private=0

Matthias

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Re: The feminine side inside you [message #13501 is a reply to message #13431] Thu, 27 August 2020 18:47 Go to previous message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Never seen the braided leather option. Funky fo sho! Thanks for sharing!

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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