Vintage Gruen: 1950's and Up » VT Aqua Queen - Import 259 ladies

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VT Aqua Queen - Import 259 ladies [message #362]

Sat, 25 May 2013 23:08

Jenneke
Messages: 2000
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands

Gruen Authority

Model name : VT Aqua Queen / Import 259
Type : Veri Thin
Period/date : 1950-1952
Gender : Ladies

Case Maker : ? Swiss
Case Material : Guildite
Case Serial : 54901D
Case Style no : -

Caliber : 210 SS
Movement Maker : Gruen
Movement Serial: 1I 88456

Bracelet : Leather calfskin, not original

Other info : Import. Anti-magnetic, water resistant. 22 mm diameter. Original radium dial.

index.php?t=getfile&id=197&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=197&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=198&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=199&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=200&private=0

Attachment: front.jpg
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Attachment: back.jpg
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Attachment: movement.jpg
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Attachment: case inside.jpg
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You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje

[Updated on: Mon, 14 October 2013 17:03]

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #364 is a reply to message #362]

Sun, 26 May 2013 00:10

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

I've got a very similar 210ss if you want it; dial isn't in better shape. Works though. You can have it for the postage costs.
Serial on the movement is 1I 17071 which I like because of the palindrome factor. I think it is late 40's.

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: Import ladies unknown [message #368 is a reply to message #364]

Sun, 26 May 2013 20:44

Jenneke
Messages: 2000
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands

Gruen Authority

That is realy nice of you! Yes, I will pm you.

Just opened the watch case for the number inside. I have the number, but can't close the back. I dunno. You should turn to close it, isn't it?

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

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #369 is a reply to message #368]

Sun, 26 May 2013 21:00

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

Yes, the case back should be threaded.

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: Import ladies unknown [message #540 is a reply to message #369]

Tue, 04 June 2013 19:08

Jenneke
Messages: 2000
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands

Gruen Authority

Jack's arrived Smile

Smile

Case Serial : 16830D
Caliber : 210 SS
Movement Serial: 1I 17071

Other info : It is quite similar. Different crystal and a difference in case back (not waterresistant/anti-magnetic?), case lugs 1mm longer.

index.php?t=getfile&id=240&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=240&private=0

I think I have identified these watches: Gruen Import 259! No nice name yet.

index.php?t=getfile&id=241&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=241&private=0

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Attachment: Sisters.jpg
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You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #541 is a reply to message #540]

Tue, 04 June 2013 19:17

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

Glad it arrived; fast transit too. Sent Mikey a box the same day. The pair looks good and hope that you can get a whole working watch out it.

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: Tue, 04 June 2013 19:18]

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #545 is a reply to message #541]

Wed, 05 June 2013 03:26

mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario

Gruen Master

The postal 'service' can ship something from Chicago across the big pond faster than it can go from Chicago to southern Ontario?? How is that? Smile

Smile

Still here....

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #546 is a reply to message #545]

Wed, 05 June 2013 04:02

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

You got me. The two packages went to the post office together.

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: Import ladies unknown [message #548 is a reply to message #546]

Wed, 05 June 2013 08:38

Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France

Gruen Master

I have the same experience with shipments to Switzerland. Mail to Europe will go strait to the airport and will arrive in the destination country in 1 or 2 days. I guess Mike's package is still in the stagecoach Laughing

Laughing

[Updated on: Wed, 05 June 2013 08:39]

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #549 is a reply to message #548]

Wed, 05 June 2013 12:48

mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario

Gruen Master

Sumbuddy forgot to feed the postal pony their Wheaties? Smile

Smile

)

Still here....

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #550 is a reply to message #549]

Wed, 05 June 2013 14:04

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

I'm glad you have a good sense of humor about it. The PO is making me look bad.

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: Import ladies unknown [message #551 is a reply to message #550]

Wed, 05 June 2013 14:56

MonKee
Messages: 178
Registered: May 2013
Location: Finger Lakes

Gruen Guildsman

Mikeyt, getting something across the border is always difficult at best. I have purchased several watches on Ebay from individuals that live in Ontario and it always takes two to three weeks to arrive at my home. Making matters worse is the fact that I can drive to Toronto in three hours so it's not like I am on the other side of the world. In fact i bought a watch recently on May 30th from an individual in Mississauga which is even closer than Toronto and it's not projected to be delivered to my home until the week of June 17th. Go figure.

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #552 is a reply to message #551]

Wed, 05 June 2013 19:32

mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario

Gruen Master

MonKee wrote on Wed, 05 June 2013 10:56

Mikeyt, getting something across the border is always difficult at best. I have purchased several watches on Ebay from individuals that live in Ontario and it always takes two to three weeks to arrive at my home. Making matters worse is the fact that I can drive to Toronto in three hours so it's not like I am on the other side of the world. In fact i bought a watch recently on May 30th from an individual in Mississauga which is even closer than Toronto and it's not projected to be delivered to my home until the week of June 17th. Go figure.

I hear you. Most of my 'imports' from the US take 10 days at minimum to arrive. I'm guessin' the customs guys are probably pulling the watches & trying them on their wrists first...

Still here....

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #1874 is a reply to message #552]

Sun, 13 October 2013 16:57

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

In Mike and Shari Barnnet's 1950s book, on page 21 (and p 58) there is a woman's watch called the VT Aqua Queen. This watch looks like the one featured in the book.

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: Import ladies unknown [message #1879 is a reply to message #1874]

Sun, 13 October 2013 18:54

Jenneke
Messages: 2000
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands

Gruen Authority

Hi jack! That is a better name for the watch! That import number from the gruen master guild book is a bit boring.

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

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #1884 is a reply to message #1879]

Mon, 14 October 2013 01:05

MikeTheWatchGuy
Messages: 319
Registered: May 2013
Location: North Carolina

Gruen Guildsman

The years I've seen this model are 1950 and 1951.
The one Jack mentioned, from "The 1950's" is shown as a date of 1950 and 1950, from the newspaper

Another is the Gruen company ad dated 1951

New to the categorization thing. Does the 1950 1951 dates mean the topic moves to another forum?

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #1887 is a reply to message #1884]

Mon, 14 October 2013 02:57

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

Moved to 1950s.

Actually Mike, by your own book you have this as being advertised in 1950, 1951 and 1952. In 1951 (p. 58) the same ad is associated with the 1952 entry (p. 110). So a three year run on this watch atleast.

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: VT Aqua Queen - Import 259 ladies [message #1890 is a reply to message #1887]

Mon, 14 October 2013 17:02

Jenneke
Messages: 2000
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands

Gruen Authority

Great info. A three years run.

I will change the Name of the post and Period/date info too.

Is this VT Aqua Queen the sister of the VT Aqua King?

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

[Updated on: Mon, 14 October 2013 17:03]

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #1891 is a reply to message #1890]

Mon, 14 October 2013 17:10

JackW
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

Jenneke

Is this VT Aqua Queen the sister of the VT Aqua King?

They do look like a matched pair. LINK

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: Import ladies unknown [message #1941 is a reply to message #1887]

Sun, 20 October 2013 21:07

MikeTheWatchGuy
Messages: 319
Registered: May 2013
Location: North Carolina

Gruen Guildsman

JackW wrote on Mon, 14 October 2013 02:57

Moved to 1950s.

Actually Mike, by your own book you have this as being advertised in 1950, 1951 and 1952. In 1951 (p. 58) the same ad is associated with the 1952 entry (p. 110). So a three year run on this watch atleast.

Awesome... I enjoy being upstaged by my own work. Very cool find Jack. I dunno how I missed the run in the Index. It's right there in your face.

The Aqua King does look like a great match. I only have the one ad that is shown on page 1956. It doesn't say "Veri-Thin" but one would think it should. If I had ONE other source that showed VT Aqua King I would change that index but quick! Please find one somebody....

Unlike the VT AQ, 1951 in V2, I don't have a Gruen ad for it. Would sure like one.

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Re: Import ladies unknown [message #3580 is a reply to message #1941]

Wed, 23 April 2014 07:08

Barney Green
Messages: 1755
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany

Gruen Authority

Hi there,

just purchased a Veri-Thin Aqua Queen also:

index.php?t=getfile&id=1459&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=1459&private=0

It does have other hands than the ones advertised 1950 to 1952 and it is equipped with a 215RSS movement. As the 215 survived the 210 for a couple of years I believe it is one of the very last ones built. Case serial number is 79481E. The E might also indicate a later year than the D. The case was built by Gabus Freres. It is not yet cleaned but the dial looks not too bad.

I also have two very similar ladies watches which were build a little later and have slightly larger diameter. These are not marked as Veri-Thin models but pretty much look like later sister. If you are interested I might have them posing for a family photo.

BR
Barney

Attachment: Aqua Queen.png
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Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

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