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Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #113] Sun, 12 May 2013 08:48 Go to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1909
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Model name : Duchess
Type : Curvex wristwatch
Period/date : 1937
Gender : Female

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : 14k gold filled
Case Serial : 3097862
Case Style no : 272

Caliber : 520 (17 jewels, precision)
Movement Maker : ?
Movement Serial: 349512

Bracelet : Plated metal cord

Other info :

index.php?t=getfile&id=24&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=25&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=26&private=0
  • Attachment: Ad 1937.JPG
    (Size: 11.71KB, Downloaded 917 times)
  • Attachment: Back.jpg
    (Size: 67.12KB, Downloaded 887 times)
  • Attachment: Front.jpg
    (Size: 37.91KB, Downloaded 917 times)


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

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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19089 is a reply to message #113] Fri, 04 October 2024 18:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
koskid is currently offline  koskid
Messages: 32
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco
Gruen Apprentice
Here's one that I've had for a long time sitting in the drawer with a broken staff. After a little research I got it running using the entire balance from a 329 movement, bridge and all. The 329 balance bridge and balance seems to be identical with the 520 movement. I suspect a lot of other parts are common between these movements.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=11220&private=0
  • Attachment: IMG_9389.jpeg
    (Size: 851.78KB, Downloaded 204 times)

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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19090 is a reply to message #19089] Fri, 04 October 2024 21:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1909
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Nice! I am trying to restaff one of those caliber 520.

Like your bracelet too.

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

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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19091 is a reply to message #19090] Sat, 05 October 2024 01:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
koskid is currently offline  koskid
Messages: 32
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco
Gruen Apprentice
I was ready to re-staff this watch and while looking to buy the staff I realized that the same staff is used on the 329 and several other movements. I was able to get a used working 329 for less than buying just the staff. Swapping the whole balance was a lot easier than re-staffing the 520. I was a little surprised the bridge fit. Usually the alignment pins don’t line up on the other movement.

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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19093 is a reply to message #19091] Sun, 06 October 2024 14:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
Messages: 1938
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin
koskid, could you post an image of the two watch movements? The 329 and the 520? Seems the top plates are different.

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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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19104 is a reply to message #19093] Wed, 16 October 2024 03:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
koskid is currently offline  koskid
Messages: 32
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco
Gruen Apprentice
JackW — Will do but I’m travelling til the end of October. As soon as I get home I’ll post pics of both movements.

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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19122 is a reply to message #19104] Thu, 31 October 2024 19:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
koskid is currently offline  koskid
Messages: 32
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco
Gruen Apprentice
Attached is a photo of both the 520 (top) and 329 (bottom) movements. The 520 has the balance cock and balance from the 329 installed and is running great. The broken staff 520 balance cock and balance are installed in the 329. The upper bridges on the 520 have a cylindrically machined surface to fit the curves case.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=11231&private=0
  • Attachment: IMG_9464.jpeg
    (Size: 516.60KB, Downloaded 129 times)

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Re: Curvex Duchess 1937 520 [message #19123 is a reply to message #19122] Thu, 31 October 2024 20:13 Go to previous message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
Messages: 1938
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin
Thank you for coming back to post that.

In the time since asking, I've also learned that I was looking at the wrong diagram for the 329, hence my thoughts that the top plate had a different shape.

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: Thu, 31 October 2024 22:40]

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