| Fully restored all-Swiss watch with 24-hour dial [message #6355] |
Mon, 14 December 2015 02:26  |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
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These watches were likely what was later just simply marked with the 'Pan American' stamp on the case back. Otherwise there is not a discernible difference between these plain backs and Pan Ams. Case back is otherwise correctly hallmarked for Gruen. Dates to early 1945 on serial numbers from the movement.
So... Early Pan American styled watch in chromed basemetal bezel with stainless steel (Guildite) back.
Movement has been overhauled, including restaffing the balance, and a new white allow mainspring. Runs with good amplitude and low error.
Dial shows some minor loss on the details in the seconds track and the hands show signs of exposure to moisture. To be upfront the movement was pretty rusty but cleaned up well and what couldn't be cleaned was replaced. Specifically the setting bits and the ratchet wheel.
$200 + shipping.
More pictures on request.
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: Mon, 14 December 2015 03:39] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Fully restored all-Swiss watch with 24-hour dial [message #6369 is a reply to message #6367] |
Sat, 19 December 2015 16:42  |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
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Thojil,
I remember you posting on this one some time ago. However, I do have an all stainless case for what I think is a VT Knox, case serial is 1068426. The diameter on the threads is 28.05. I think this watch is about 1943/44; it has a 411ss movement in it but fit a 421ss just as easily (there is a ring around the movement in addition to the normal spring retaining ring) and all stainless suggests prior to the 1944 loss of access to German made stainless.
The back on the one for sale is not stamped 'Pan American', even thought it has what I'd call a typical Pan Am dial. Considering the condition of the watch as I got it, I don't think there was any swapping going on in the past. Case serial is 882852 and the thread diameter is 28.40 mm on my calipers.
I don't recall as to how the diameters match up with the Pan Am verses the non-Pan Am.
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: Sat, 19 December 2015 16:43] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Fully restored all-Swiss watch with 24-hour dial [message #6457 is a reply to message #6454] |
Sat, 23 January 2016 03:07 |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
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No the only way to account for the difference in the thread size and diameter is that they were done that way on purpose. Just as Thojil supposes. Threads are cut after the cases were milled but before the plating on those that are base-metal bezels. They were not cast with the threads in place.
Anyway... This watch is on hold until I get the "studio" back in order... should there be an offer for its purchase. I'll post a picture of the current state of the studio on the "incoming" thread.
I'm still of the opinion that the dial was part of the "pre-Pan Am's that were being sold with all the look and feel of the ones that just a few months later were sold AS Pan Ams. You look at the old adverts from the time, I don't think it is a stretch that Gruen was testing the field with these "nearly-but-not-quite" Pan Americans. Monty er...I mean MonKey once shared a write up of case serial numbers for the 24-houred dialed watches that were sold between 1943 and 1948 that were marked and not marked Pan Am. This one falls into that range easily. One can argue what is the defining characteristic of a Pan Am: The dial or the mark on the caseback. If one remembers the Pan Am series in the Wadsworth and Star cased ones, then it should be the dial and how it fits into the overall scheme of Gruen's marketing. This above watch fits into the time period where they were teasing the public, while still enjoying nearly full production out of Switzerland, despite loosing one shipment and the reduction in supply of stainless steel in Switzerland. There was a war and an embargo, after all....
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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