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Imperial Tank 14K

Tue, 18 February 2014 02:55

Model name: Imperial Tank
Type: Tank
Period/date: late 1920s
Gender: Men's

Case Maker: Gruen
Case Material: 14 karat white gold
Case Serial:
Case Style no: 885 8

Caliber: 885
Movement Maker: Fontainemelon
Movement Serial:

Bracelet: 18mm strap

A plain bezel Imperial Tank, likely the most common of these rarely seen models. Also available in coin gold, and in gold-filled, and in an engraved bezel design.

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1920's | 0 comments

Gruen Carré

Mon, 17 February 2014 04:54

A few pictures of my recently acquired Gruen Carré. No competition on eBay, so bought for a fair opening bid. Seller didn't know how to open it, so was unaware that it was enamel over solid silver. A little dusting and cleaning is all I've done.

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I'll work it into the proper format eventually. I date this one to 1931 or so, mainly due to the adjustment data being milled out on the 885 movement.

1930's | 4 comments

Pan-American in steel

Sun, 16 February 2014 16:00

Model name : Unknown
Type : Pan American
Period/date : 1947-1948 (J.Wood & M.Barnett Cal. dating)
Gender : Male

Case Maker : Unknown Swiss
Case Material : Guildite (steel)
Case Serial : 97834
Case Style no :

Caliber : 420SS
Movement Maker : Gruen
Movement Serial: B188933

Bracelet : Leather, period original

Other info :

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1940's | 5 comments

The caliber 839

Extra precision; Sun, 09 February 2014 21:36

The Gruen 839 movement is probably an inhouse movement from around 1921. It has 18 jewels and is a Gruen Precision Extra grade. It is 6 ligne.

Seller's photos. Will change them when movement arrives.
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The caliber database | 22 comments

14 Karat White Gold Quadron

A story we wll never know; Wed, 05 February 2014 14:38

This watch should have a story with it! This is one story that will never be told! The watch has historical significance. Why? the watch was give to someone's son December 25th 1929 as per the personal engraving inside the case back, History tells us that this watch was purchased 2 months after the great depression started. Think about that for a minute. A person still could afford to buy a solid 14 karat white gold Quadron two months after the largest financial collapse in US history! Who had the means to do that? Who had the financial confidence to buy this watch not knowing what was ahead financially. Wow?

Model name : Gruen
Type : Quadron
Period/date : 1929
Gender :Male

Case Maker : Gruen
Case Material :Solid 14 karat white gold
Case Serial : 1228163
Case Style no : ?

Caliber :117
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial: 638287

Bracelet : Lizard with 14 karat white gold buckle

Other info : Inscription From Mother and Father December 25 29

The caliber 117 was sent to Tomas Garcia. It did not need a full O/H, but Tomas worked his magic and was able to clean and adjust what he thought was needed and it now purrs. I have sent several Quadrons to Tomas and he has managed to breath new life into 80 to 90 year old timepieces with great results. If the watch is stubborn, he is more stubborn. A rare trait in the repair trade, I should know as a run a multi million dollar jewelry store and have been in the watch and jewelry industry for 28 years.

1920's | 3 comments

Strap 610, annapolis

Wed, 29 January 2014 20:37

Model name : annapolis, strap 610
Type : wrist watch
Period/date : 1949
Gender : mens

Case Maker : star watch case co
Case Material :
Case Serial : 0388385
Case Style no : 632

Caliber : 420ss
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

Other info :

I finished one more of my projects, which started life as a NOS dial and 420SS movement that I bought of eBay two years ago. At that time the dial was id'ed by a fellow Gruenite on the old forum and he posted a picture (I forgot who, but if it is one of you guys apologies for using your picture Embarrassed ). This picture is what drove my 2 year quest for the right case...

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...and this is the final result. A perfect match with the watch above, but next to "Strap 610" in Shawkey's identification book there is one little difference, the 610 doesn't have Italic digits. So were there two different dial versions of the Strap 610?

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The only model I found with the same dial is this one, which I have not been able to identify. I may have gone for the wrong case at the end Confused

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edit - removed image because of present copyright.

1940's | 3 comments

Ladies Wrist Watch - Cartouche 213

Identify & Discuss; Sun, 26 January 2014 07:15

Model name : Cartouche 213
Type : Wrist Watch
Period/date : 1920's
Gender : Ladies

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : 14K gold filled reinforced with extra gold
Case Serial : 5285665
Case Style no :

Caliber : 835
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 1668143

Bracelet : Hadley

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1920's | 6 comments

Ladies Wrist Watch -Cartouche 377

Gruen Guild 313; Wed, 22 January 2014 23:20

Model name : Cartouche 377
Type : Wrist Watch
Period/date : 1920's
Gender : Ladies

Case Maker : Gruen Cincinnati
Case Material : 14K Solid Gold
Case Serial : 1254052
Case Style no : ?

Caliber : 313
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 676808

Bracelet : 10k Gold Filled

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edit - JackW: picture alignment

1920's | 19 comments

Gruen "Strap 130"

Mon, 06 January 2014 10:25

Model name : "Strap 130"
Type : Barrel case
Period/date : approx. 1931
Gender : Male

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : Nickel "Tarnish Proof" (rhodium plated)
Case Serial : 8540089
Case Style no : 315-80

Caliber : 315
Movement Maker : Gruen?
Movement Serial : 192252

Bracelet : Original nickel band "Flex No. 25" marked "Sturdy".

Other info : Shown in the Guild Book Supplement 9-31 Page 12A as part of the "Sturdy Gruen Wrist Watches for Young Men" range.

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Edit: data updated following new information below

1930's | 14 comments

Gruen SemiThin

Pocket Watch; Sun, 29 December 2013 22:21

Model name :SemiThin
Type :
Period/date :1920
Gender :Gents

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

Caliber :740
Movement Maker :Lavina
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

Other info :

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I am trying to figure out some information on this pockset watch. It was my dads and I thought it was unique with the Masonic Symbol. I know that it is a DG&S Pocket Watch but I cannot find any with the symbol on it. If anyone has any information please let me know.