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Lavina supplying Gallet (Gruen 766)

Tue, 02 February 2021 15:00

Not much discussion of Lavina lately, and scarce info on the forum on the early Lavina calibers like 720, 721. But even less on the caliber 766--have never even seen one actual picture. I wanted to share an interesting specimen, reported as 12 size, finished by Gallet & Co.

It has the characteristic setting bridge on the 720, 750 variants, as well as the Lavina serial number and "Deposé" markings placed exactly as seen on the open-face ones made for Gruen/Premo/WSC. Likely there's a Lavina or Paul William Brack deposé hiding somewhere for this bridge layout.

But this Gallet is Swiss set, so here we also see the setting bits just like the Gruen Caliber 766.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174621368135

edit: (capturing info) dial-side sn 836156; 17J/3ADJ

Watches from the Guild | 7 comments

March 10, 1925 Patent Box ( & Pat Pending ) with a false bottom.

Sat, 23 January 2021 19:38

Period :Mid 1920-1930
Watch type : ladies
Size :tbd
Inventor :Harold R. Haerr (assigned to Gruen Watch Co)
Patents :66772 (Filed May 20, 1922. Patented March 10, 1925)

Box maker. Unkown.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7687&private=0 .

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1920s | 9 comments

Caliber 200 & 201

Round, 8.75L, 15J & 16J Factory D & S; Wed, 20 January 2021 15:23

Size: 8 3/4 ligne
Jewels: 15 or 16 (#s only) - possibly cal 200 is 15j, cal 201 is 16j variant
Adjustments: 4 (#s only)
Configuration: hunter
Signed: Gruen W. Co. ("Factory D") or Gruen Guild ("Factory S")
Suppliers
-Factory D - TBD
-Factory S - Straub/Alpina
Example date: ~1919-1921
Serial number(s): front plate only
-Factory D: 38997
-Factory S: unobserved
Dial markings: unobserved

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7677&private=0

Other info: Re-posting Liz's Factory S "200" variant (with 16J) from previous forum threads. This began its life as an FHF ebauche, but it has a modified setting bridge and custom setting bits--so the usual FHF setting patent is not stamped on it. Noting it, as it explains why the setting bits shown in later movement catalogs (1939, etc.) are different: they reflect a modified/custom version of the "new" FHF setting works patented in late 1926. I doubt this caliber was actually in use past 1926, but Gruen was apparently still buying movements & parts to provide factory repairs.

The caliber database | 2 comments

Caliber 615

7.75L, Round, Extra Precision, 16J; Fri, 15 January 2021 03:16

Here’s one I forgot I had—can’t locate movement but stumbled up on old pics. I could never ID until Gary’s post on the Cattin/mystery 8L thread.

Size: 7 3/4 ligne
Jewels: 16 (#s only)
Adjustments: 4 (#s only)
Configuration: hunter
Signed: Gruen W. Co. Suisse
Supplier: unknown (possibly Aegler by the markings)

Example date: ~1913-1915
Serial number(s): has two:
-bridges: 12?223 (perhaps 122223)
-front plate: 2223
Dial markings: unknown (didn’t capture)

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7633&private=0

The caliber database | 10 comments

Unknown 5th Avenue

325 Quadron; Thu, 14 January 2021 04:14

Model name : unknown
Type : wristwatch
Period/date : 1932
Gender : men's

Case Maker : Gruen 5th Avenue
Case Material : 14k gold
Case Serial : 55123
Case Style no : none

Caliber : 325 21 jewel variant
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 235033
Other: Marked 5 Adjustments

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7618&private=0

I had no idea what I was getting with this one... it has definitely surpassed expectations, even if it's only a 20 jewel watch at the moment! Anyone got a scrap 21 jewel variant lying around, and if so, can I buy the pallet cap jewel setting?

Did any of these 5th Avenue models have names, or were they all unique?

1930's | 4 comments

March 10, 1925 Patent Box for Strap

Tue, 12 January 2021 21:56

Period :Mid 1920-1930
Watch type :Men's Strap.
Size :tbd
Inventor :Harold R. Haerr (assigned to Gruen Watch Co)
Patents :66772 (Filed May 20, 1922. Patented March 10, 1925)

Box maker. Unkown.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7602&private=0 .

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1920s | 3 comments

Quadron 120 (Caliber 485 variant)

Style pair 485-99; Mon, 11 January 2021 15:31

Model name: unknown
Type: Quadron 120
Period/date: ca1934
Gender: Men's

Case Maker: Gruen (House GF line)
Case Material: 10k Gold Filled (stamped "Gruen 10k Gold Filled" on outer caseback edge)
Case Serial: 2,279,103
Case Style no: 99

Caliber: 485
Movement Maker: Alpina / "Guild Watch"
Movement Serial: none on bridges--not brave enough to remove dial

Bracelet: Sturdy gold filled link bracelet with adjustable clasp

Other info: According to the master book, this model was introduced with caliber 681. This is a later, raised gold numeral dial variant, which now uses caliber 485. Some places note 485 was introduced in 1935, but I would say this is earlier, ca. 1934 production. I think 681 may have been discontinued by that time. Of note, there also appears to be a Caliber 179 model that uses Style number 99. Perhaps a lady's variant, or at least a strap variant to use a round caliber? I have never seen an example.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7595&private=0

The bracelet fits like a dream. Amazingly lightweight, but a large size for its day. Surprised I haven't seen other examples.

1930's | 1 comment

Strap 62

Style number 1; Sun, 10 January 2021 22:43

Model name : unknown
Type : wristwatch
Period/date : c. 1925
Gender : men's

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : 14k Gold Filled
Case Serial : 5189575
Case Style no : 1

Caliber : 707
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 103306

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7582&private=0

I wonder who L. Gant was.

The only thing in common between this 707/1 and the women's 179/1 (besides the case maker) is that they're both Paris Squares. This one runs, and I like the hands a lot.

1920's | 22 comments

The Caliber 833

6''' oval women's movement; Sun, 10 January 2021 22:31

Maker: Gruen Guild
Size: 5 ligne
Jewel Markings: 15 Jewels
Adj Markings: 4 Adj
Config: Hunter
Dial feet: 12 & 5.25 positions
Dial release mech: side screws
Example date: unknown

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7577&private=0

The caliber database | 1 comment

Mens wristwatch 705/2 in nickel, Strap 150

Style number 2 (men's version); Sun, 10 January 2021 17:50

Model name : Strap 150
Type : wristwatch
Period/date : c. 1930-31
Gender : men's

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : Nickel
Case Serial : 8512576
Case Style no : 2

Caliber : 705
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 1924

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7575&private=0

Here is the men's version of style number 2. This one is the '20s version of the el cheapo: nickel case, but still 15 jewels. I react badly to nickel. It seems that whoever bought this watch did, too. Also, note to self: never engrave a nickel watch! You'd think they'd have known that in the '20s too...

It runs for a short while.

It has such an elegance to it: if only it were in gold...

1930's | 3 comments

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