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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #19982 is a reply to message #19980] |
Thu, 06 November 2025 19:42   |
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JackW
Messages: 2203
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
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Gary wrote on Thu, 06 November 2025 07:33The chrono timer was made starting in 1947. They stopped making them shortly thereafter. Probably they couldn't compete with other chrono makers. Here is a good read.
Gruen published a series of parts catalogs that showed the movements. The cal 450 is shown in the catalog that is assumed to be from 1945. So it is possibly earlier than 1947. The first and only advertisement for the chrono-timer is from 1947. Scroll down the page and it is shown here at this link.
My personal opinion on why these were so short lived, as a production and sales item is related to the vertical clutch system to engage the chrono seconds. The design is pretty cool but having worked on a few of these now, the mechanism is susceptible to seizing should a watchmaker inadvertently lubricate the clutch. It should be dry. The lubrication will eventually gum up, especially the lubricants of the time in 1945-47 which were natural oils and greases (think whale). They degrade and become thicker. Even with synthetic oils, small amounts of dirt or even the high cohesion of oils will "lock" the clutch together and cause the chrono function to cease working and stopping the watch. My guess is that Gruen was immediately swamped by warranty service requests. Secondly, like what Gary suggested, there advent of high-quality column wheel chronos, like the Valjoux 23 or cam shift chronos like the Venus 188 were hard to compete with for reliability. Also the 450 is small compared to these other chronograph movements. Styles were changing.
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, 06 November 2025 19:55] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20036 is a reply to message #19983] |
Sat, 22 November 2025 17:10 |
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Passion
Messages: 107
Registered: July 2025
Location: France
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Gruen Guildsman |
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Gary and JackW,
I just reviewed your very specific comments. Thank you for all this information.
It’s really very interesting this story about the Chrono-Timer! If I understood correctly, the Guildite Chrono-Timer (stainless steel... ;-)) was manufactured last.
So, the Chrono-Timer, shouldn’t there be a lot of products in 2 years?
And if a Chrono-Timer is missing a part (a needle or a winder), is it complicated to find?
Laurent.
A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for...
[Updated on: Sat, 22 November 2025 18:42] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20037 is a reply to message #20036] |
Sat, 22 November 2025 23:51 |
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JackW
Messages: 2203
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin |
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Parts related to the chronograph function are far and few between. There is an eBay seller that has the more difficult parts to locate but also wants $$$/€€€ for them.
However, I’m a firm believer in watching out for each other. If I see something you need or have something, I’ll speak up.
Hopefully Gary finishes his soon. I did have a part he was seeking but don’t yet know if it worked for him.
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: Sat, 22 November 2025 23:52] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20456 is a reply to message #20038] |
Sat, 04 July 2026 07:49 |
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Passion
Messages: 107
Registered: July 2025
Location: France
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Gruen Guildsman |
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Hi everyone,
The Chrono-Timer is making eyes at me... So I’m trying to learn a bit more, and I could use your help.
Here is a photograph of the 3 styles of cases (different ears), in GOLD and STEEL.
My questions:
- between 1946 and 1949, between the 127000 and 139000 series, can we certainly put these 3 styles of cases in a chronological order of production? If so, can you give me your opinion on the order? (Example: style 2 then style 1 then style 3)
- or not, and claim that these 3 styles of cases were manufactured and sold during the 4 years without any chronological order, and that the client had the choice between these 3 styles of cases during these 4 years?
;-)
-
Attachment: 01.jpg
(Size: 213.11KB, Downloaded 158 times)
A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for...
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20463 is a reply to message #20461] |
Sat, 04 July 2026 15:57 |
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Passion
Messages: 107
Registered: July 2025
Location: France
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Gruen Guildsman |
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Hello,
Thank you for your answers. But I made a mistake... I forgot a fourth style of case! I updated the photograph with the 4 styles of cases.
Here, I’m just talking about the case styles, not the dial styles. (I duly noted and saw that there were several dial styles)
I did note that style 3 was late, and produced from 135000 numbers (more or less). And I think you’re right. On an Excel table, I listed 32 Gruen Chrono-Timer units with the case number and photos.
This style number 3 comes out 4 times with these numbers:
134 917
135 310
136 458
138 941
And as on the Chrono-Timer, the case number is engraved at the back of the background (visible from the outside), it was simple for me to make this Excel table.
And even with the case numbers (between 127000 and 144xxx), we really can’t have a "theory" of the order of introduction during the 3 or 4 years of production of the Chrono-Timer ?
-
Attachment: 01.jpg
(Size: 185.30KB, Downloaded 140 times)
A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for...
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20466 is a reply to message #20464] |
Sun, 05 July 2026 14:52 |
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JackW
Messages: 2203
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin |
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Not having one of these in 14k gold, I can’t say. But it looks to be that way: snap back, and not threaded.
Hope you get one to find out. Maybe Thojil might comment as he has one.
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: Sun, 05 July 2026 15:00] Report message to a moderator |
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