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Strap 555 – Curvex 14K [message #17068]

Sat, 30 July 2022 14:00

DRGM
Messages: 18
Registered: January 2020

Gruen Apprentice

Model name: yet unknown
Type: Curvex
Period/date: 1948
Gender: Male

Case Maker: William B. Ogush, Inc., New York
Case Material: 14K yellow gold
Case Serial: U25393
Case Style no: 440 - 584

Caliber: 440
Movement Maker: Gruen
Movement Serial: B 7499

Bracelet: none

Other info:

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9674&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9674&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9675&private=0

This model is quite flat – unusual for a Curvex:

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9676&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9677&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9678&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9679&private=0

Inside there are two trademarks of William B. Ogush, Inc. (WBO in the following), the well-known WBO logo

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9680&private=0

and the lesser known “two diamonds” trademark of WBO:

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9681&private=0

I guess, the „two diamonds” brand was used to mark the case material – in this case, 14K gold.
A good abstract of WBO’s history was published in the „Cincinnati Enquirer“ of June 28, 1951:

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9682&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=9682&private=0

There were two dial variants – the one shown with 12 numerals and a variation with markers and numerals (2-4-8-10-12):

https://gruen.watch/?product=gruen-curvex-440-584

Attachment: Gruen-Curvex_440-584_14K_05_1366.jpg
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Attachment: Gruen-Curvex_440-584_14K_06_1366.jpg
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Attachment: Gruen-Curvex_440-584_14K_07_1366.jpg
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Attachment: Gruen-Curvex_440-584_14K_12_1366.jpg
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Attachment: Gruen-Curvex_440-584_14K_08_1366.jpg
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Attachment: Gruen-Curvex_440-584_14K_10_1366.jpg
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Attachment: USTM_407926_Ogush_WBO_1366.jpg
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Attachment: USTM_537333_Ogush_Diamonds_1366.jpg
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Attachment: The_Cincinnati_Enquirer_Thu__Jun_28__1951_Gruen-Ogush-deal_1366.jpg
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Re: Strap 555 – Curvex 14K [message #17069 is a reply to message #17068]

Sat, 30 July 2022 23:03

Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati

Gruen Authority

Another stunning watch, DRGM! And great research as a bonus.

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Re: Strap 555 – Curvex 14K [message #17070 is a reply to message #17069]

Sun, 31 July 2022 13:19

Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany

Gruen Authority

Inspired by the search for a name for this watch, I started digging into 1948 and the Curvex sales names. Came up with 49 (!) Curvex sales names in this year so far, but none for Strap 555. Intersting side note: the Canadian sales organisation had their own sales names for the same models. This is another complication in IDing those watches.

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

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