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Caliber 626 (& Caliber 101 disambiguation) [message #11684] Fri, 22 November 2019 14:30 Go to next message
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Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
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[Rampant edits] Had previously posted this on the sister caliber 103 thread, but I noted the 101/626 had not been documented. Thanks to Liz for help below with disambiguation of the two.

Here is an early WSC variant. 8 3/4 ligne. 16J, 3ADJ. Dial back stamped "101" (dials interchangeable). Front plate has the FHF patent, plus the lot # "17 7577". Could it be the maker was kind enough to mark the make year? "17" = 1917?

Dr. Rannft has cataloged this as the FHF Factory Robert (Gruen Factory R) 8.75'" movement herehttp:// www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2 uswk&Gruen_101. Haven't seen any front plate marks for Factory R, to see if my example matches the style & indicates it was finished there or ebauched to another factory. Most likely sourced directly from FHF/Factory R. Different from the 101, which was sourced as an ebauche from FHF & finished at the Gruen factory (first as regular adjusted, then ca1922 becoming a "precision" caliber)

Caliber 626
Configuration: Hunter
Example date: approx. 1917
Diameter: 8.75 ligne (approx 19.7mm)
Jewel count: 16
Adjustments: 3
Dial feet positions: 10 & 4
Dial release mech: release screws on back plate

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5566&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5567&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5568&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5569&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5570&private=0

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

[Updated on: Mon, 25 November 2019 14:48]

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Re: Caliber 101 [message #11685 is a reply to message #11684] Fri, 22 November 2019 15:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
Dan,

Is "101" stamped on the movement anywhere?
I believe your movement is actually a Gruen cal 626.
It's illustrated in the 1926 standardized parts supplement B.
They are the same size and setting bits are very similar.
Noteworthy also is the dial fits both!

Link to one of my cal 101s:
[url=[url= https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&th=206& amp;start=0&] https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&th=206& amp; amp;start=0&[/url]]

This is a pic of my other one with the a clearer 101 stamp:
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5573&private=0

This is an early example of a 626(627;620;621).
Noteworthy also here is the "101" stamped case:
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=79 54&&srch=cal+101#msg_7954

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

[Updated on: Fri, 22 November 2019 20:00]

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Re: Caliber 101 [message #11688 is a reply to message #11685] Fri, 22 November 2019 21:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
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Howdy Liz! Thanks for the feedback--would appreciate your help descrambling these, so I can correct the post & can learn (even Dr. Ranfft is uncertain). No, mine isn't stamped on the movement, but then again I wouldn't expect it to be stamped until 1921/1922. I had closely studied your older post (101 vs. 626), as well as the 101 shown in the 1926 parts manual. I don't have supplement b, I'm afraid. Thanks for sharing the example of your stamped 101--would love to see a definitive image of 626.

Putting them all side by side with mine at center: the left from 1917; the middle 1917-1919 (I propose 1917); the right from 1923. First, seeing them this way now, I have to say if there's any sign of an old vs. new 101 style, your two seem the closest (both with a cutaway, bent finger bridge, bridge going over the top middle jewel vs. bubble, marked Gruen W. Co). Mine's the odd man out--so good candidate for 626. Your stamped one matches the 101 image in the 1926 parts manual, which is stamped for pre-1923 and is a redesigned bridge + new setting mechanism in any case, as old version parts are shown. I noticed the slight variance in screw locations where I've circled, as well as the 101 dial stamp. The movements came to the US already with dials on them, although if they were the same size/layout & from same factory they could use one number/dial for either.

Now I'm more wondering if you've got two 101s and I've got the 626. What was stamped on your dial for the one at left? Was it 626?


/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5574&private=0
  • Attachment: 101 626.jpg
    (Size: 171.13KB, Downloaded 853 times)


My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: Caliber 101 [message #11689 is a reply to message #11688] Fri, 22 November 2019 23:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
Dial side of early 626 & dial back with no caliber stamp.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5580&private=0

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

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Re: Caliber 101 [message #11690 is a reply to message #11689] Sat, 23 November 2019 03:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Thanks, Liz. Well, so much for that. Any chance you have a pic of the front plate of your stamped 101, for comparison?

Also, I believe I was wrong about the date for the old style one (left, above). Would probably be later. Perhaps 1920. I was quoting pocket cases vs wrist. Faulty memory--and too many lines of Excel! Will have to edit it out in post-production Laughing

Thanks again for your help & info.

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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Re: Caliber 101 [message #11691 is a reply to message #11690] Sat, 23 November 2019 04:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timeliz
Messages: 602
Registered: May 2013
Location: Northern California
Gruen Master
Dan,
I will definitely get a shot of the dial side.
I think I have to now. I'm very curious myself.

continuing...

This is the dial side of my cal 101 movement above &
it looks the same as the others. Interesting.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5614&private=0

back of dial with 101 stamp -

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5615&private=0

Here's the pretty side -

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5616&private=0

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

[Updated on: Sun, 24 November 2019 23:08]

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Re: Caliber 626 (& Caliber 101 disambiguation) [message #11713 is a reply to message #11684] Mon, 25 November 2019 14:55 Go to previous message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Updated the title.

Liz--thanks for sharing the additional pics (and GORGEOUS watch btw--love this early cushion square/semi-cartouche style). Brings lots of questions for me. Have to look into these further, as Thanksgiving timing allows.

My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more

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