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Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement
Sat, 16 November 2013 12:15
Model name : Quadron 139
Type : Quadron
Period/date : 1930s
Gender : Male
Case Maker : Cannot identify
Case Material : 10kt yellow gold filled
Case Serial : 2305466
Case Style no : 197
Caliber : 355
Movement Maker : unknown
Movement Serial: 309392
Bracelet : Leather band (aftermarket)
Other info : I have come across a Gruen that, as best as I can tell, is ID'd in the factory records at "Quadron 139." The case is marked with the style number 197, and the watch contains the Precision (17J) Caliber 355 movement. According to factory records, Gruen only made 25 models with this caliber (possibly more, but 25 is the number pictured). The case style number of 197 would seem to indicate manufacture circa 1935 according to the Barnett/Cooper dating chart. I don't believe I've ever had a Gruen with a 355 movement before, so I have to believe these are kind of rare, or at least unusual. I love the patina on this older refinished dial ... a rich caramel color. I did a search of "355" on this forum, and came up empty, even on the Caliber database. I would enjoy hearing comments from Forum members, and of course will update the template with more information if anyone knows who made the case, the movement, etc. I would be interested in knowing what anyone might know about the movement, especially why it seemed to have such a short production run. Maybe Gruen thought the movement was redundant with the introduction of the Curvex?
Sincerely,
Bruce Shawkey
brtime
1930's |
4 comments
707 - Lavina connection?
Mon, 04 November 2013 16:52
In one of my other collecting guises, I like "trench watches", an outgrowth of my looking for early Gruens. Recently, via eBay UK, I purchased a nice 9 karat gold Lavina trench watch...
Now, I knew I recognized the movement, which led me to pay a bit more for this one than I normally would have.The recent discussions on the board regarding the possibility that Lavina was an early contractor producing movements for Gruen sealed my interest...
When compared with these spares from my movement stash, one can see that it's obviously the same movement as the Gruen 707 (as well as the gilded example from West End).
While I would initially jump to the obvious conclusion that Lavina was the maker for the 707, I am hesitant, because I have two different documentary sources (not from Gruen) that indicate that the base movement for the 707 is the Record 022K. At this point, I don't know if Lavina and Gruen (and West End and others) were all buying movements from Record, or if the interchange manuals I've consulted simply missed the boat on who actually made the movements.
The Lavina is hallmarked for the Australian market, meaning there is no date mark, so I can't use the date to try to prove a "first maker" assertion. I assume from it's styling that it's no later than mid to late '20s, contemporary to my Gruen 707 models.
Any thoughts?
It was also an excuse to post photos of another new acquisition.
Watches from the Guild |
19 comments
The caliber 3157
Fri, 01 November 2013 12:46
Caliber 3157 is a 17-jewel movement and is 10-1/2 ligne or 23.69mm in diameter. More frequently seen is the 15-jewel version, called 315. Production start of the 315 was 1929 and the 3157 followed in 1930 (Barry C. & Mike B. dating table). Unknown if this movement was actually produced by Gruen?
Three other variants exist; calibers 344, 345 & 347 (7j, 15j & 17j). These were introduced between 1934 and 1935. No information is is known to me as to what the differences were versus the 315/3157.
The caliber database |
0 comments
Cartouche 365
not an exact match; Fri, 01 November 2013 04:17
With all the discussion on woman's watches recently, and the appearance of the below one in a price range I could afford I thought it would be worth it. Have not really looked at it too closely as I've been super busy this week. Movement looks OK, but won't run. Something is impinging on the staff otherwise the side and end-shake looks OK.
Likely will add it to the "identified" model section later. Came with the box, warranty papers and a note indicating it was a Christmas gift at some point to "mother" from "Ted, Helen and Grace" (on the back). It seems well cared for: The box is practically mint condition. The watch has hardly any wear on it, though it was certainly worn. Two distinct watch makers marks and some crud on the dial that looks like it will clean off easily. Outside photos for now; will get movement and inside case photos. Case is by Wadsworth in 14k white GF and is marked OS-63. Movement is a Caliber 153.
So here it is, a close approximation to the Cartouche 365 found on page 145 in the 1929 Guild Book.
...and it was less than $20 including the shipping.
edited - me: numerical dyslexia
1920's |
5 comments
Siegerin marked watch
with Alpina/Gruen cal 485; Tue, 22 October 2013 18:41
Here is a watch that contains an unmarked caliber 485. Watch is branded Siegerin, which was a brand name marketed by Alpina/Straub in Germany from about 1930 through 1940. The movement is identical to Gruen marked caliber 485.
Came with a dust proof crown similar to other Gruen watches.
The case is all stainless and recently I found some evidence that Krupp, a well known metal working company in Germany which specialized in stainless steel may have made the case.
Watches from the Guild |
0 comments
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