| Gruen Barclay [message #713] |
Thu, 20 June 2013 17:48  |
brtime
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Been absent for a while persuing other watches. I don't believe we have a "Barclay" on the record yet, so here's one I acquired back in 2010 and am getting ready for sale on my website. Bruce
Model name : Barclay
Type : Precision/Veri Thin
Period/date : 1950
Gender : men's
Case Maker : Jonell Watch Case Company
Case Material : 10kt yellow gold filled front and back
Case Serial : M43722
Case Style no : 723
Caliber :
Movement Maker : Gruen (at the Norwood Ohio facility, presumably, since this is not marked SWITZERLAND on the dial)
Movement Serial: unable to locate
Bracelet : leather band.
Other info : The following are my observtions/opinions only, and are not meant as gospel. The Barclay, which many dealers and collectors refer to as the "Spider," came out in the early 1950s (this one is circa 1950). It was an unsual watch, somewhat effeminate because of the delicate wire "cage" surrounding an otherwise round case. I love the engraving on this model. I'm guessing that "Sam" was an unusual guy in some way, hence the gift of Y.P Ceebs of an unsusual watch to an unusual guy! (The engraving states: "Sam. Just because you're you Y.P. Ceebs") The use of a tonneau-shaped movement inside a round case is also very intriguing, but one should remember that Gruen by this time was in financial straits and was probably using up stocks of existing movements in inventory any way they could. Today, the "Barclay" is one of Gruen's iconic watches, instantly recognizable by its distinictive shape. I think the copper color dial on this one is also unusual. Most of the other ones I have seen are either white or Butler (silvered) finish. This one is finished with a 16mm reddish-brown leather band.
    
Sincerely,
Bruce Shawkey
brtime
[Updated on: Fri, 21 June 2013 02:08] Report message to a moderator |
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