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Curvex Captain (440)

Sat, 21 March 2015 04:29

Model name: Curvex Captain
Period/date: 1943 (Wadsworth case serial number prefix)
Gender: Mens
Case Maker: Wadsworth
Case Material: 10 karat gold filled over sterling silver
Case Serial: G328487
Case Style no: 440 498
Caliber: 440
Movement Maker: Gruen Precision
Movement Serial: 5926
Other: Model name comes from various ads in the reference section of the forum and can be also found in Gruen Watch Model Identification Guide Volume 1.

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1940's | 3 comments

Curvex Ace

Sat, 21 March 2015 04:10

Model name :Ace
Type :Curvex
Period/date :1935
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :
Case Material :
Case Serial :
Case Style no :255

Caliber :311
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

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I recently acquired this Gruen Curvex from ebay. It has 311 movement. The case back has 255 stamped into it. This indicates it is a 1937 with correct movement by using Mike' and Berry's excellent Internet site. I think the name of this watch is a Baron again using one of Mike's books. I am in need of hands for this watch. I think the correct hands are gilt baton or moon hands. They appear to be 8 mm. Any correction to the above is welcome. To find the hands would be great!

Darrel

1930's | 3 comments

'Cartouche' case with Cal. 849

Thu, 12 March 2015 19:26

Model name :
Type :Cartouche
Period/date :1920's
Gender :Ladies

Case Maker :Swiss (Unknown)
Case Material :14K SG
Case Serial :5333
Case Style no :

Caliber :846
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

I just got lucky and won this cartouche shaped full Swiss Gruen featuring the mysterious 'Factory L' movement Cal. 849. So far I had never seen this movement in its original case, until I found this one in Germany Very Happy

Solid 14k 30x19mm ornate case with wire lugs. Unfortunatelly the case doesn't give any additional clues other than it was produced in Switzerland. So happy with any additional info.

The pictures are from the seller.

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1920's | 11 comments

Strap 320: Similar to the Tilton

Mon, 23 February 2015 00:09

Model name : Similar to the Tilton
Type : manual
Period/date : ca. 1935
Gender : Mens

Case Maker : Gruen Watch Co
Case Material : 10kt yellow gold filled
Case Serial : 2336715
Case Style no : 186

Caliber : 165
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: unknown

Bracelet : Metal or cord (what is this type of metal bracelet called?)

Other info : This is an exact match to Strap 320. A 1936 ad for the Tilton in Mike Barnett's 1930s decade book shows that this watch is very similar to the Tilton but not an exact match. The ad for this watch shows a metal bracelet but the other Tiltons show cord bracelets. The case does not include a movement number but only the case style number. (The case does close nicely but was open in that complete shot as I was taking pictures.

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1930's | 17 comments

Curvex Portrait

Thu, 12 February 2015 19:06

Model name :Portrait
Type :Curvex
Period/date :1952
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :Wadsworth
Case Material :14K SG
Case Serial :L207305
Case Style no :498

Caliber :440
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

index.php?t=getfile&id=2090&private=0 Hi fellow Gruen Enthusiasts!
I need some help identifying my current Gruen.
Here is what I know. It is a 440 Caliber and 498 Model. The serial number reads - L253888. Is this from 1942 or 1952? Also, what does the L stand for? Am I correct in thinking this is a Portrait with Rope Lugs? Please help!

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1950's and Up | 16 comments

Gruen Guild "Belmont"

Tue, 27 January 2015 14:49

Model name : Belmont
Type : Barrel case
Period/date : 1934-1935
Gender : Mens

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : 10k GF
Case Serial : 3089509
Case Style no : 3

Caliber : 3157 - 17 jewel
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 212233

Bracelet : Brown leather, 16mm lugs

Other info : Confirmed in 1934 advertisement selling for $37.50. Same style# & movement# as Thoji's Strap 156 posted here and Timeliz' Strap 157 posted here.

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1930's | 6 comments

Gruen Belmont

Mon, 26 January 2015 21:46

Model name :Belmont
Type :
Period/date :1934
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :Wadsworth
Case Material :10K GF
Case Serial :3089059
Case Style no :

Caliber :315
Movement Maker :Guild?
Movement Serial:212233

Bracelet :

hi all, A very similar watch generated some discussion over on the VWF forum here at this link. Mine has a 10k GF Wadsworth case which differs from the other thread. I believe this movement is actually a 3157 rather than a 315 since it has 17 jewels?. Not sure that this watch was identified over on VWF though. I probably dont want to state this too loudly but i 'won' this auction on the swamp for .99 cents... and it works & keeps time.

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1930's | 3 comments

Gruen 315(7)

Mon, 26 January 2015 17:46

The 315 is a 10 1/2 ligne, 15 jewel movement that is interchangeable with the 345 although this particular one may actually be a 3157 as it is a 17 jewel movement which is differentiated with having conical pivots. Parts of the 315 may also be interchangeable with the 344 , 347 & 3157 per the 1939 Material Catalogue. Mike B / Barry C have the initial production date as 1929 for this movement although i suspect this one may be from the early-mid 1930's. I'll add a 'dial off' photo at a later date.

Of course, after i posted this i saw Thojil's entry on the 3157! Embarrassed

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EDIT: And...now that i have the dial off, i seem to have a broken clutch lever? I am in need of a replacement if anyone has one??

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The caliber database | 1 comment

Pan American Official

Mon, 26 January 2015 16:32

Model name :Official
Type :Pan American
Period/date :1940
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :
Case Material :
Case Serial :
Case Style no :

Caliber :420SS
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

This watch was in a box with some old coins, Army ribbons and assorted stuff and packed in the bottom of a foot locker my father has had since the end of WWII - I never saw the watch when I was growing up and the foot locker has been in my basement for the last 20 years. I knew there was some old jewelry in there but never paid it much mind. Decided to go through it all and hand it off to my sons and when I turned the stem on the Gruen the second hand started and I found after all those years it works just fine. I've no idea what it is. The case measures 32mm, the back is marked Gruen, 10k gold filled and other than obviously being worn in its day there is no damage anywhere,crystal is intact, unscratched. What is it and could someone recommend a place I can send it, in trust, to get it cleaned and serviced?

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1940's | 10 comments

Wristlet 75

Sun, 28 December 2014 00:27

Model name :Wristlet 75
Type :Wristlet
Period/date :1925
Gender :Ladies

Case Maker :
Case Material :
Case Serial :
Case Style no :

Caliber :115
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

Hello! The image below is of a Gruen that belonged to my wife's grandmother. It was given to my wife over Christmas. I'd love to get some info on what it is. I am on vacation and don't have my tools with me so I can't open it to take pics of movement and case back. Any help is appreciated!
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