| Hexagons in the Master Book [message #5408] |
Thu, 09 April 2015 13:27  |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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Not sure if I put this here or more in the 20s section...
Model name : Plate 24C in a higher grade version
Type : Solid Gold Wristlet
Period/date : ca. 1919
Gender : Ladies
Case Maker : unknown, may be Gruen or Wadsworth
Case Material : 18K white gold
Case Serial : 1022246
Case Style no : 137 1/2
Caliber : 1396 /16 jewels 3 adjusts
Movement Maker : Gruen Watch Specialties Co
Movement Serial: n.A.
Bracelet : none, should be silk ribbon but the watch is prepared for a different band
Other info : Plate 24C from the 1918 "A worthy company of watchmakers" in 18K with rich engravements and lug covering flaps
[Picture Front]
[Picture caseback inside]
[Picture movement]
[Picture sideview]
[Picture ad]
The ad is the closest equivalent I could find. There is the hint that prices did vary according to case and movement so I am assuming that this is one of the varieties the 24C could come in.
Apologies because of the dial, I have not yet worked on the watch. It definitely is one of the most interesting in my collection, once I get her a band I will also try to restore the dial.
I am wondering why I can't find a single Hexagon in the Master Book is there anyone here who knows a good reason? Was that watch too early to be included in the MB?
Also the movement gave me a hard time to identify it. Does the "W" after 18K stand for white gold or for Wadsworth, any opinion or insights?
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
[Updated on: Fri, 10 April 2015 06:43] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Hexagons in the Master Book [message #5410 is a reply to message #5408] |
Thu, 09 April 2015 19:19  |
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afire
Messages: 1331
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
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Gruen Authority |
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Barney Green wrote on Thu, 09 April 2015 08:27I am wondering why I can't find a single Hexagon in the Master Book is there anyone here who knows a good reason? Was that watch too early to be included in the MB?
That would be my guess. It seems to me that the Master Book entries start in the early '20s. Strap 1 shows up in ads at least as late as 1922, so that would be roughly my guess. Sometimes the only way to find matches (if at all) for watches from this era is to periodically search for 1918-1922 Gruen ads. No matches right now, but item 251885260943 might interest you. The hexagon illustrated isn't a match, but the text suggests a range of hexagons.
Barney Green wrote on Thu, 09 April 2015 08:27Also the movement gave me a hard time to identify it. Does the "W" after 18K stand for white gold or for Wadsworth, any opinion or insights?
The "W" indeed stands for white. You also sometimes see "14K.G." on green gold cases. Definitely not Wadsworth, as cases with the Cincinnati marking are in-house cases made by Gruen's own case shop.
I would have guessed the movement to be a caliber 137. At least on other early Gruens I've seen, that number on the bottom often matches the caliber. And I have no idea what the "1/2" designates. Furthermore, I don't even know whether there is such a thing as a caliber 137. So take that with a block of salt. The earliest parts catalog I have a copy of is 1926 and there is no 137. But I think Mike has mentioned an earlier one (1918)? Might be worth checking out if you're unsure of your ID.
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| Re: Hexagons in the Master Book [message #5411 is a reply to message #5410] |
Thu, 09 April 2015 20:11 |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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Thanks a lot for sharing thoughts about this watch. I did not know the exact start point of the Master book, but also assumed something around 1920.
The ad you have referenced is almost exactly the one I used. Mine is just a black and white print from a newspaper but absolutely the same layout.
OK, if the Hexagons where issued before the Master Book started it would explain why they are missing.
And great that you confirmed the "W" standing for white gold although this is a bit obvious and might not be worth mentioning inside the watch?
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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| Re: Hexagons in the Master Book [message #5419 is a reply to message #5415] |
Fri, 10 April 2015 06:41 |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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Yes, and the "G" for green gold would substantiate this assumption towards a statement.
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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| Re: Hexagons in the Master Book [message #5421 is a reply to message #5415] |
Fri, 10 April 2015 11:50 |
C. Hurt
Messages: 243
Registered: May 2013
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Gruen Guildsman |
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afire wrote on Thu, 09 April 2015 21:53Barney Green wrote on Thu, 09 April 2015 15:11And great that you confirmed the "W" standing for white gold although this is a bit obvious and might not be worth mentioning inside the watch?
Seem unnecessary, but I'm very confident that's what it stands for.
Not unnecessary to a maker producing four colors of gold plus gold-filled, silver, and platinum cases. I'm sure it was intended to avoid confusion among customers.
I once scored a huge bargain on a pentagon Ultra-VeriThin marked "18 K.W." because the seller didn't believe it was 18 karat gold. He assumed the "W" marking meant it was something other than solid 18K, and priced it accordingly. I did not try to convince him otherwise.
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