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Home » The Gruen Model Database » 1950's and Up » Gruen Anniversary (Royalty Series 1954)
Gruen Anniversary [message #10310] Sat, 18 May 2019 17:50 Go to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Today the postman brought me something new which has been my buy of the year.
It is a 14k white gold gents Gruen 21 jewel watch with 80 diamonds surrounding the Bezel.
The movement is a 3351, the case is made by Jonell, style number is 855. All valid markings on the case back there is no doubt that this is not a Frankenwatch. It can be dated towards about 1954 by the serial number which would be the 80th anniversary year of Gruen. So I think that the 80 diamonds are not a coincidene. Has anyone ever seen this model and can ID it?

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4589&private=0

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

[Updated on: Mon, 21 March 2022 00:07] by Moderator

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Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10313 is a reply to message #10310] Sat, 18 May 2019 19:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
Messages: 2114
Registered: May 2013
Location: Left Coast
Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

I've seen one similar in the past but thought it was a one off, guess not.
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10315 is a reply to message #10313] Sun, 19 May 2019 16:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin
Nice! Hope you'll share more photos.


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
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10316 is a reply to message #10315] Sun, 19 May 2019 16:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kastner is currently offline  kastner
Messages: 339
Registered: May 2013
Location: Pasadena CA
Gruen Guildsman
Never seen this beauty before. Very nice!
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10318 is a reply to message #10315] Sun, 19 May 2019 16:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Here are some more photos:

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4593&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4592&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4594&private=0

As you can see, it is not yet cleaned, will do that a little later.
There had been the Jubilee series in 1954, but I have not seen this watch ever been advertised. It is also not included in the Masterbook / Catalog.But the Jonell serial fits perfectly into 1954, so this watch is pretty mysterious to me.

Barney


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

[Updated on: Sun, 19 May 2019 16:41]

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Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10319 is a reply to message #10318] Sun, 19 May 2019 18:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
It is fantastic! the only Gruens I have seen like this are the *similar* ones in the book, specifically Strap 830 and 859. Your theory raises a question for me:
Please, what is the serial exactly on the watch case?

It seems like if Gruen made an "80th Anniversary" watch w 80 diamonds for their 80th birthday...an advertisement will pop up eventually.

One thing is for sure, this watch is worthy of a rock star..it looks like Elvis' Omega from 1960, also case made by Jonell.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4595&private=0



https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/elvis-presley-tiffany-dial -omega-phillips-geneva-auction-news
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Matthias
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10320 is a reply to message #10319] Sun, 19 May 2019 19:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Hi Matthias,

thanks a lot for this link. Yes, the style is very similar.
I have recognized the other diamond bezel ones, but none of them is an exact match. The serial number is M70111, I have seen others around which were dated 1953 and 1955, so this serial is really matching the 80th anniversary date.
Nothing else spectacular at the inside.
BTW the Elvis Omega watch was finally sold last year for $1.8M...
My watch did cost only a fraction, although it is now belonging to me Smile

Barney


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

[Updated on: Sun, 19 May 2019 19:34]

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Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10321 is a reply to message #10320] Sun, 19 May 2019 23:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
Very Nice!
I wouldn't say "no" to it.
I see a very strong resemblance to strap 851.


"Some days are diamonds, some days are stones..." -John Denver
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10322 is a reply to message #10321] Mon, 20 May 2019 06:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Which is for sure there, Liz.
Same dial, and might be even same case, at least the form of the lugs is the same and probably the width of the bezel. So this could well be the same case but studded with diamonds as an anniversary high end version and white instead of yellow gold.
The advertised Jubilee series included Strap 850 (Heirloom), Strap 849 (Triumph, which I own already), Strap 855 (Autowind Distinction), Strap 856 (Curvex Heritage) and Strap 844 (Park Avenue). All these watches are in the absolute vicinity in the Catalogue, may the whole range are Jubilee models with not all of them having been advertised as such?
If the watch had been yellow instead of white gold I would have assumed that a jeweler had modded the case to make a one off, but it would have been hard for him to change the alloy so I assume that this watch is official.


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10336 is a reply to message #10322] Wed, 22 May 2019 08:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1904
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Great watch! Would it be in vogue then for men to wear a watch with diamonds? Or was is just to show of the wealth one had? Not knowing the price in those times...

Looks pretty genuine. I've got the frankenwatch Very Happy

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=4607&private=0


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10337 is a reply to message #10336] Wed, 22 May 2019 09:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Jenneke,

the bling factor is moderate as the diamonds are really tiny though the sparkle is really nice. I expect the price having been in the 500 to 700 dollar range, depending on the rarity of the watch. One might think that they have only built 80 watches of this version (at least I would have limited it to this amount commemorating the occasion and to really make this watch exclusive).
It for sure is depending on the owners taste if and when he would wear such a watch. I personally would do this only at very special occasions happening once in a year probably. The next will be my moms 80th birthday next Monday where the 80 diamonds are a perfect fit to honor her.

Barney


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #10340 is a reply to message #10337] Wed, 22 May 2019 19:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1904
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Whoop Shocked not a price for the ordinairy one in those days. The sparkle in the night with candle light would even be nicer!
That is a very special occassion. Congrats


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #15602 is a reply to message #10337] Tue, 12 October 2021 08:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
Hi Bernd,

Check it out!



/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8581&private=0



Matthias
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #15603 is a reply to message #15602] Tue, 12 October 2021 15:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
afire is currently offline  afire
Messages: 1331
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Authority
Great find! And the anniversary theory is confirmed. 80 diamonds for 80 years and it's named "Anniversary". But, I have to say, the advertisement is a little subtle for Gruen. I would have expected something a little more explicit with a little more hoopla.
icon14.gif  Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #15604 is a reply to message #15602] Tue, 12 October 2021 15:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Hi Matt,

this is so cool, thank you very, very much!!!
I have not yet been lucky to find the hoped for advertisement, there it is! A year later than anticipated, but you wer absolutely correct, an anniversary watchw with its 80 diamonds indicating the 80 years of Gruen. Not part of the Anniversary series but part of the Royalty family and it is even called the "Anniversary".
Although I have do admit that I am a little disappointed how cheap it was, just $450. Smile
This translates to $4390 nowadays, wow...

Thank you a thousand times, Matt,
Bernd



Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #15606 is a reply to message #15604] Tue, 12 October 2021 23:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
You are welcome! Smile

It's a really nice Gruen. Definitely not "cheap" especially when compared to average models from the same time.

Clear your watch is highlighted as being in a higher tier, even while more standard models seem to be the main highlight of the campaign.
Here take a look at part 2 of the ad, complete. 17 jewel gold filled all for less than 100.00. And a 17 jewel solid gold model for 125.00. I know you were being tongue in cheek but to me 450.00 is an astounding amount.

I own a '53 Royalty series and my model retailed for 200.00.

But you are right, there is *always* pricier Gruens...but we can size it up to a comparable previous model, looks like a Jonell with ONLY 48 diamonds;)... Strap 830, that went by the name of "Victory" and sold for $495.00 in January 1954.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8582&private=0

I don't know for certain if your watch originally came with the Royalty Series booklet on diamonds....but I think it likely did. So I took some photos if you 're curious and haven't seen one. Enjoy.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8583&private=0.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8584&private=0.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8585&private=0.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8586&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8587&private=0












Matthias

[Updated on: Tue, 12 October 2021 23:23]

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Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #15607 is a reply to message #15606] Wed, 13 October 2021 07:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Hi Matt,

thanks again for sharing. I bought the watch at an auction and it came "naked" without any accessories.
Yes, the Imperial with it's less diamonds was pricier, but they were as well bigger. So the total carat weight might well have been higher.
Complaining about the low price was just the trial of mentioning my previously made price estimate of $500 to %700 not being met in a humorous way. I am often not good enough in finding the correct phrases in a language which is not my native one. Tried to point out the "joke" by the smiley therefore...

Barney


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Gruen 80th anniversary watch? [message #15609 is a reply to message #15607] Wed, 13 October 2021 18:06 Go to previous message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1904
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
I got your joke Bernd. But I am your neighbour so sitting in the same non native boat. Very Happy and from matthias’ tong-in-cheek he did too.

Anyway, great that you found the ad matthias! And never seen that little booklet. Quite a service foor loosing a diamond. Where are the little remarks (if not dropped, bumped, pulled, …)?

Gruen did make nice watches! And high quality movements.


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