| Pan American Captain [message #7728] |
Thu, 02 February 2017 04:31  |
abacus
Messages: 2
Registered: February 2017
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Model name :Captain
Type :Pan American
Period/date :1940's
Gender :Gents
Case Maker :Wadsworth
Case Material :14K SG
Case Serial :G649000
Case Style no :534
Caliber :420SS
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:
Bracelet :
Other info :
Hello,
New guy here....I have Granddad's watch, just wondering a bit about it if anybody can help on year, value, etc.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Photo's uploaded.
Various info obtained so far:
fancy lugs.
On the Face:
Gruen Veri-Thin, Precision, (has a 24 hour face).
Back of Case:
Outside: Gruen, W 14K GOLD"
Inside: Wadsworth, G649000, 420 534, SS.
On Movement: GRUEN WATCH CO, SEVENTEEN JEWELS - 17, 420 SS, UNADJUSTED, (serial number i think, underneath and partly obscured by brass gear) 1A__2411 or 14__2411.
On or by mainspring cover (i think)-- VERI-THIN, PATENTED.
By "F S" lever: SWITZERLAND, GXC
On the Gold Watch Band:
GRUEN 14K GOLD, MADE IN USA, PAT PENDING.
Again, thanks for any help.
      
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[Updated on: Sun, 04 February 2018 17:56] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7731 is a reply to message #7728] |
Thu, 02 February 2017 20:37  |
Gary
Messages: 2114
Registered: May 2013
Location: Left Coast
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Gruen Authority
Cheerleader |
 
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Welcome to the forum Mike!
I'd say you have a 1946 Pan American Ace. Gruen began advertising the Pan AM in 1943 for The Pan American
"Clipper" flying boats. Never see a solid gold band from Gruen like that.
You got a keeper for sure!
Edit: Oh BTW value? Priceless considering it was your grandpa's watch!
[Updated on: Thu, 02 February 2017 20:53] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7732 is a reply to message #7728] |
Thu, 02 February 2017 20:56 |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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Hi,
first of all welcome to this nice forum. I am not the expert of mens Gruens, but I think what you have there is a very nice example of a late 1945 Pan-American Captain with a strap which seems to be original. Everything solid gold. this is a highly sought after model if I am correct in IDing it.
It did originally cost about $120 without the golden strap. What is it worth today? I guess at least ten times the money...
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7733 is a reply to message #7732] |
Thu, 02 February 2017 20:57 |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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Ah, Gary was faster in typing...
So, Ace or Captain? As I said, I am not the expert.
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7742 is a reply to message #7741] |
Fri, 03 February 2017 07:33 |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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It's a) the different lugs and b) the solid gold material which makes it a Captain...
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7746 is a reply to message #7745] |
Fri, 03 February 2017 23:00 |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin |
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Hi,
Nice watch! Can't disagree with what has already been said above. Although this is the second time I've seen a Captain with the gold band. It went on eBay for over $1000; way beyond what I could afford.
The Ace also came in solid gold but these are pretty rare.... The Captain and the Swiss-cased solid gold are more common. The Captain is seen on eBay less often then the Swiss cased Pan Am. Same at shows too in my experience.
Do you know the year the watch was purchased? If you can provide serial numbers on the case and the movement we can see how it fits in with the others from Gruen that came with the 420 movement and a Wadsworth case.
Here is an example in the ID'd forums...http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg& ;th=73&goto=302&#msg_302
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: Fri, 03 February 2017 23:18] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #7749 is a reply to message #7746] |
Sat, 04 February 2017 16:38 |
abacus
Messages: 2
Registered: February 2017
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Hello All,
First, thank you all for your time, expertise and efforts! I really appreciate it!
JackW,
I do not know when Granddad bought this, but 1945 would make sense as he could have been celebrating that both of his sons survived the war (my dad a LT CMDR on a destroyer, north atlantic, Normandy-Omaha Beach, my uncle a AF pilot).
As far as numbers:
Back of Case:
Outside: Gruen, W 14K GOLD"
Inside: Wadsworth, G649000, 420 534, SS.
On Movement: GRUEN WATCH CO, SEVENTEEN JEWELS - 17, 420 SS, UNADJUSTED, (serial number i think, underneath and partly obscured by brass gear)1A__2411 or 14__2411.
I'm planning to have this watch serviced and cleaned, any recommendations on a craftsman? I'm located in the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for the Help!
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| Re: Please Help Identify Gruen Veri-Thin [message #9778 is a reply to message #9776] |
Mon, 21 January 2019 03:07 |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin |
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Thanks Liz and Mikey.
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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