| 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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| Re: Gruen Barclay [message #718 is a reply to message #717] |
Fri, 21 June 2013 02:10  |
brtime
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Thanks. I made the change to correct the case manufacturer.
Sincerely,
Bruce Shawkey
brtime
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| Re: Gruen Barclay [message #853 is a reply to message #852] |
Sat, 29 June 2013 16:42 |
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timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
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Gruen Master |
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I've tried to snag the ladies a couple of times to no avail. Nice pair Cary!
"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver
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| Re: Gruen Barclay [message #856 is a reply to message #853] |
Sat, 29 June 2013 17:58 |
C. Hurt
Messages: 243
Registered: May 2013
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Gruen Guildsman |
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Just for fun, here is an unknown (to me) 14K model with 17 diamond dial. I've had two of these over the years, and seen only one other.
Same dimensions as the Barclay, and the case is by Jonell as well.
[Updated on: Sat, 29 June 2013 18:11] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen Barclay [message #857 is a reply to message #856] |
Sun, 30 June 2013 00:27 |
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timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
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Gruen Master |
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Cary,
This model is pictured in Ehrhardts MB, page 82, bottom right corner. Listed as Strap 765 with a caliber 3351 (I think that means 21 jewels?) in 14k yg. I haven't checked the ladies models for it yet.
I like this one too! 
"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver
[Updated on: Sun, 30 June 2013 00:32] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen Barclay [message #858 is a reply to message #857] |
Sun, 30 June 2013 01:16 |
C. Hurt
Messages: 243
Registered: May 2013
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Gruen Guildsman |
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timeliz wrote on Sat, 29 June 2013 19:27Cary,
This model is pictured in Ehrhardts MB, page 82, bottom right corner. Listed as Strap 765 with a caliber 3351 (I think that means 21 jewels?) in 14k yg. I haven't checked the ladies models for it yet.
I like this one too!
Thanks Liz,
I had seen it in the Erhardt book, and conveniently forgotten that. I have never seen an ad for it, and don't know a model name, if it ever had one. Some of the 335 models were known as numbers in a series. It is 21 jewels, (there was a Swiss 17 jewel version of the 335, as well as a 23 jewel version produced in the US) and has the USA produced 335.
This one is a lot of fun to wear, and it does get noticed.
Regards,
Cary
[Updated on: Sun, 30 June 2013 01:17] Report message to a moderator |
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