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What's happening out there? [message #3721]

Wed, 21 May 2014 02:04

Gary
Messages: 2165
Registered: May 2013
Location: Seattle

Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

Hey Gang!

First off I'm not complaining about the lack of participation on the forum. There is always a roller-coaster effect of ups and downs and seasons of plentiful conversations about Gruen here. This feels like quiet times here at the forum. What's happening out there?

My adventures if not getting sucked into something that maybe a vacuum of sorts....

I've been helping out local vintage shops with clock and watch repair for some time now. The ride has been somewhat interesting. I have to say that doing minor repairs is not a bad way of expanding the trade, as well as learning a little history. Folks that sell watches in these shops tend to turn-n-burn the merchandise. A simple fix or it goes to the melting pot.

What I find is a very good opportunity to see many different brands of clocks and watches. Too you can break into getting parts for almost nothing. I've found that many folks will give you the movements of watches going to the melting pot.

Yes you can say I might be digging a hole I cannot get out of. But like this forum, there are a lot of wonderful people at these shops and they adore people who have the skills to do even simple repairs. You never know what opportunity these deeds will bring.

Cheers!

[Updated on: Wed, 21 May 2014 02:08]

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3727 is a reply to message #3721]

Wed, 21 May 2014 20:02

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

Gruen Authority

Gary,

of cause there is a live beside the forum. And yes, you are right there are ups and downs in participation, sometimes a new topics adds some momentum, sometimes people are tied in other things. For me personally that means that I am currently under heavy work load in my life as an engineer and with the family and the house.Still accumulating interesting and new watches there have also questions come with quite some of the watches which I would like to discuss. But my spare time is so limited that I don't currently have the time to clean the watches and taking photos of them.So I stay with my questions and wait that my job becomes less demanding probably during the summer holidays. i am frequently reading the new posts and from time to time trying to answer questions which I believe to be able to answer. Being still a novice in watch repair in general and collecting Gruens only for a year or so, there are more questions than answers from my side..

Best regards
Bernd

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3728 is a reply to message #3727]

Wed, 21 May 2014 21:52

afire
Messages: 1344
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin

Gruen Authority

I check in daily, but often don't have much to add other than responding to whatever else is going on. I did recently pick up a cool Gruen, one of the waterproof Guildite Veri-Thins. I sold one a couple of years ago and sort of regretted it, so happy to have found another. I'll do a post once I get it and clean it up.

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3732 is a reply to message #3728]

Thu, 22 May 2014 09:18

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

Gruen Master

I guess you are referring to that "Import 274" that was up for sale. You don't see those very often. I've got one, which still needs some work on the dial to be done.

index.php?t=getfile&id=1514&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=1514&private=0

Attachment: Img_3784b.jpg
(Size: 294.36KB, Downloaded 2273 times)

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3733 is a reply to message #3732]

Thu, 22 May 2014 15:41

afire
Messages: 1344
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin

Gruen Authority

Thojil wrote on Thu, 22 May 2014 04:18

I guess you are referring to that "Import 274" that was up for sale...

Yep. I can't believe how cheap it was. I think this is a model that has a lot going for it but when they show up, they tend to stay under the radar. I suppose there isn't much about them that attracts attention in an eBay search so most probably don't even notice it.

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3734 is a reply to message #3732]

Thu, 22 May 2014 20:15

afire
Messages: 1344
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin

Gruen Authority

Thojil wrote on Thu, 22 May 2014 04:18

I've got one, which still needs some work on the dial to be done.

The crystal is so badly scratched up on mine that it's anybody's guess what condition the dial is in. And it looks sort of white, so maybe it's not ever original. I'll find out next week.

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3737 is a reply to message #3734]

Fri, 23 May 2014 19:34

JackW
Messages: 1977
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

I was going to bid on that one; it caught my eye. I was however in Utah for the last 8 days - forget internet access to log in here or bid on watches, I barely (and rarely) had cell phone coverage where I was. I am not complaining really, I was working in either Arches NP or Capital Reef NP. Two really pretty areas. I think you got a great purchase on that one afire. Good catch! Look forward to seeing the pictures.

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: What's happening out there? [message #3742 is a reply to message #3734]

Sun, 25 May 2014 17:15

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

Gruen Master

Quote:

The crystal is so badly scratched up on mine that it's anybody's guess what condition the dial is in. And it looks sort of white, so maybe it's not ever original.

This is the crystal you need to look for

index.php?t=getfile&id=1515&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=1515&private=0

Attachment: Crystal import 274.jpg
(Size: 114.55KB, Downloaded 2334 times)

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3756 is a reply to message #3742]

Tue, 27 May 2014 15:17

afire
Messages: 1344
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin

Gruen Authority

Thanks, I've got a Croton Aquatime crystal and gasket on the way. That's what I used last time I had one and it seemed like a good fit. But what has me confused is this listing at ofrei.com:

http://www.ofrei.com/images/gs-cmx345-24h.jpg

The dimensions are slightly different from the Croton, but awfully close. And I don't think there was more than one model of this style from Gruen, so I would think it almost has to be for the Import 274. But I guess I should take another look through the Master Book to check if I'm right about that. Or I may just order one to check it out.

And Jack, there was another one of these listed a month or so ago. They seem to turn up now and then.

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3768 is a reply to message #3756]

Wed, 28 May 2014 09:40

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

Gruen Master

afire wrote on Tue, 27 May 2014 17:17

And I don't think there was more than one model of this style from Gruen, so I would think it almost has to be for the Import 274. But I guess I should take another look through the Master Book to check if I'm right about that. Or I may just order one to check it out.

.

That crystal won't fit the "Import 274". It is for the later Autowind model "Strap 854" (style no. 480-880)

index.php?t=getfile&id=1523&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=1523&private=0

Attachment: Autowind 5.1 480-880 front.jpg
(Size: 87.94KB, Downloaded 2252 times)

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #3819 is a reply to message #3768]

Wed, 11 June 2014 21:16

Jenneke
Messages: 1961
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands

Gruen Authority

I kept a bit quiet too! Busy with work and eduction. But now I am a licensed running trainer and did celebrate my birthday (2 months late Very Happy

Very Happy

) I should have some more time to spend. I think... I hope... Rolling Eyes

Rolling Eyes

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

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #4317 is a reply to message #3819]

Sat, 11 October 2014 23:59

Timeticker
Messages: 568
Registered: June 2013
Location: Somewhere in the world

Gruen Master

Ahhh, I see that I am not the only one sucked in to outer space! I have been slammed at work for the last 7-8 months and have not had the chance to poke, tickle, or razz anyone on the forum. I just picked up a jeweler for all his repairs. I hope to be doing this full time soon enough. People absolutely love it when you can bring their treasures back to life!!! Brethren Gruenites (girls included of course) we are a dying breed!!!! Long live Gruens!!!!!(psstttt...ahem, and all the other vintage fine watches too)

People you thought were your best friends will stab you in the back to your face!

Love them anyway.
A "Paradoxical Commandment"

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5475 is a reply to message #3742]

Sat, 25 April 2015 20:49

timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California

Gruen Master

Thojil wrote on Sun, 25 May 2014 10:15

Quote:
The crystal is so badly scratched up on mine that it's anybody's guess what condition the dial is in. And it looks sort of white, so maybe it's not ever original.

This is the crystal you need to look for

Does this crystal come with the gasket, and are they difficult to find?

I just received my Imp274 and was really happy to have the dial clean up well.

It needs a new crystal and, although the gasket is present, I'm not too certain it has waterproofing capabilities any longer.

Also, I'm missing the crown with half stem.

I'm looking for sources for these parts. I do have the hands. I just haven't put them back on yet.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8807/17267785015_4af43026e2_z.jpg

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5477 is a reply to message #5475]

Sat, 25 April 2015 22:10

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

Gruen Master

Your dial cleaned up much better than mine.

The crystal I found on eBay and I remember one of our fellow Gruenites had a new gasket for me. I forgot who had them and I can't check either as it was at the time of Mike's old Gruen Forum.

My crown was missing as well and I just got a replacement crown plus the male part of the half stem from Jules Borel. The replacement stem fitted perfectly the original female side of the stem.

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5478 is a reply to message #5477]

Sun, 26 April 2015 00:14

timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California

Gruen Master

Thojil,

Thanks for your reply and the added info.

The search is on! Smile

Smile

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5479 is a reply to message #5478]

Sun, 26 April 2015 01:47

C. Hurt
Messages: 243
Registered: May 2013

Gruen Guildsman

Liz,

I have extras of that crystal if you'd like one. It does not include the gasket, but they are generic so replacements are easy to find.

The original waterproof crowns are unsigned, so a generic replacement works there as well.

Regards,

Cary

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5480 is a reply to message #5479]

Sun, 26 April 2015 09:58

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

Gruen Authority

Wow, having seen the ebay picture I can't believe that the dial cleaned up that well! Well done, Liz!

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5481 is a reply to message #5479]

Sun, 26 April 2015 17:37

timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California

Gruen Master

Wow! That was quick. My hunt barely got started. Surprised

Surprised

Yes, yes, I would like one, Cary!

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #5482 is a reply to message #5480]

Sun, 26 April 2015 17:48

timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California

Gruen Master

Thanks, Barney! I was pretty darn surprised too.

It was kinda hard to tell from the bad photo just what was going on with the dial,
and the cracked crystal didn't help either. Once I saw it close up , I had higher hopes for it.

Athough this one turned out well, my best transformation by far is this one...

Check this out: ended ebay# 400895704023

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8762/16661539024_ced0daf22d_z.jpg

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver

[Updated on: Mon, 27 April 2015 02:09]

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #7916 is a reply to message #5482]

Wed, 15 March 2017 18:49

timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California

Gruen Master

Finally got this back from repair shop. A huge thanks to Cary for providing the crystal!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2896/33459618745_e899a395db_c.jpg

"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #7921 is a reply to message #7916]

Fri, 17 March 2017 07:22

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

Gruen Master

Very nice

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Re: What's happening out there? [message #7925 is a reply to message #7921]

Fri, 17 March 2017 23:56

JackW
Messages: 1977
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

That is a nice one!

I have a similar style case from the "Defender Watch Company". It too needs a new crystal...and a staff.

Your image reminds me that we should start posting again in the WAYW (what are you wearing) thread.

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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