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Gruen Military Wrist Watch

Plate 23B Out o' Doors ; Wed, 18 August 2021 17:02

Here is Plate 23B Out o' Doors if you call it. I got this watch from Thomas (Timeticker) many years back, don't see him around today. The watch has a 870 15J Premo Rebberg movement. The watch just came back from a good COA, new mainspring and hands re-lumed. The hairspring was all "jacked up" and had to be reshaped. The upper cap jewel is cracked but keeps oil, was decided not to replace and risk getting it back to running OK level that it's in now.
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8431&private=0

Watch Tables | 9 comments

Gruen Lady Pocket / Pendant watch by Georgine Pau

Thu, 01 July 2021 14:11

Here's one for the ladies!

Model name: unknown
Type: pocket/pendant
Period/date: 1916-1921
Gender: Lady

Case Maker: Madame Georgine Pau, Geneve
Case Material: 935 “extra” Sterling
Case Serial: 40
Case Style no: n/a

Caliber: 611 or 610, with sub-seconds
Movement Maker: Watch Specialties
Movement Serial: 29347 (or 29 347)

Bracelet: n/a

Other info: The watch measures about 1 1/8" across. Case signed "Watch Specialties Co.", matching movement. Dial back stamped "46." It appears to have had something around the outside (possibly a decorative wrap of gold?) which was held with two screws through the case. It has a hinged top & a metal insert to hold the movement that is stamped with the case number.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8347&private=0

1910's and prior | 4 comments

Earliest Verithin

The one that started it all!; Wed, 09 June 2021 00:05

I feel like showing off one of Gruen's earliest Verithins. Not *the* earliest - but certainly the earliest I have ever seen, or am likely to hold.

It is a thing of beauty.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8318&private=0

That dial sure has aged well - most of the time they're in terrible shape.

Quite a low case serial!

Note the 1DG4 monogram for 14k gold. The other day, I was looking over early Gruen trademarks, and I realized why it is this way. The old Queen City Watch Case Co. used a very similar 1QC4 mark with interlocking letters (it looks much prettier too). I guess it represents an attempt at continuity of trademark (though I can't think it is a very good one).

I have seen lower case serials on several Gruen cases housing the earliest cal. 35 movements (SN 125k). From this I conclude that early serial numbers were assigned in blocks.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8315&private=0

And lastly, the movement. A fine LV1, running and keeping excellent time. This one is within a thousand of the lowest SN I've ever seen (120,527, but that one was an orphan) and one of only three movements that I've ever seen with a serial lower than 122k. I would love to see more, if you have them!

Watch Tables | 5 comments

Plate 26E

Thu, 13 May 2021 21:00

Model name: plate 26-E - Tonneau style
Type: ribbon wristwatch
Period/date: 1918 - ?
Gender: female

Case Maker: unknown
Case Material: 14kt green gold
Case Serial: 58
Case Style no: not on case, but in gruen guild book description - OS2

Caliber: 101 (15 jewels, 4 adjts)
Movement Maker:
Movement Serial: -

Bracelet: GF Bruner-Ritter with Bretton’s famous supermatic safety catch (pat pending 1947). To open, simply slide it in the direction of the wybert shape and lift up.

Other: the case serial is inside the case and on the back of the dial. “Exploded” roman dial. Platinized or silver.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8132&private=0

1910's and prior | 3 comments

Veri-Thin Scientist

When is an Import not an import?; Wed, 05 May 2021 13:57

Model name: Veri-Thin Scientist
Type: variant of Import # 252 (or 245 or 249, per below)
Period/date: 1941-1943
Gender: Men’s

Case Maker: Pioneer
Case Material: 10k Pink GF / Guildite back -- bezel appears to be sterling base, from the discoloration
Case Serial: 6029908
Case Style no: 411SS-494

Caliber: 410SS Precision (17j)
Movement Maker: Gruen Watch Co
Movement Serial: 714682

Bracelet: 12k pink gold filled "grains of rice" link bracelet

Other info: Stamped with US patent # 2,229,979, covering the case design by Pioneer Watch Case Company.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8094&private=0

1940's | 11 comments

Cartouche 342 (modified)

Thu, 22 April 2021 18:06

Model named: Frank N. Stein
Type: Cartouche
Period/date: case ca 1928
Gender: Female (but big enough to be a man's)

Case Maker: Wadsworth / Gruen
Case Material: 14k reinforced gold filled
Case Serial: 5305616
Case Style no: 153 8

Caliber: 8357B (seventeen jewels)
Movement Maker: Aegler S.A. (Factory A)
Movement Serial: 1920616

Bracelet: aftermarket leather strap

Other info: Movement stamped "GXC" --> imported 1936 or after. I bought this for the 8357 movement. I hesitated to post it, as it appears to be a frankenwatch, but the case style is not present on the forum yet. Cartouche 342 is very similar to 345, but 345 has engraved sides in addition to a bracelet.

I am debating as to keeping it as a wearer. The size is actually quite nice on my wrist, and I like the look with the dial. I note there are a couple of Strap models that used caliber 835, so I figure Fred would probably be okay with it.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8047&private=0

1920's | 6 comments

Oval Ribbon Wristlet

Wed, 14 April 2021 06:23

Model name: Oval Silk Ribbon Wristlet- Silver variant of Plate XXXII
Type: Wristlet
Period/date: 1915-1917
Gender: Female

Case Maker: Robert Gygax
Case Material: .935
Case Serial: 5
Case Style no: na

Caliber: 100
Movement Maker: Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet: Clasp stamped "Sterling", "D & C" for Daggett and Clap out of Attleboro, Mass

Other info: Rampant bear, 0.935, R.G., Gruen Watch Co, Suisse, 5

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8025&private=0 .

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1910's and prior | 10 comments

Verithin pocket watch round Louis 117

Fri, 12 March 2021 18:52

Model name: louis 117
Type: pocket watch
Period/date: 1923-1925
Gender: male

Case Maker: wadsworth
Case Material: ultra quality = white gold filled
Case Serial: 3007500
Case Style no: none

Caliber: V7 (center wheel jeweled so early model)
Movement Maker: marc favre?
Movement Serial: 612609

Other info: it looks brand new inside... has no watchmaker marks. Strange.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7953&private=0

1920's | 10 comments

Strap 439

Thu, 11 March 2021 22:32

Model name: Dorchester
Type: Veri-Thin
Period/date:1943-44
Gender:male

Case Maker:Star Watch Case Co
Case Material:10k pink g f d, guildite back.
Case Serial:987179
Case Style no:473

Caliber:435
Movement Maker:Gruen
Movement Serial:598740

Bracelet:

Other info: Pink gold filled version of Strap 439.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7937&private=0

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1940's | 0 comments

Strap 250

Tue, 09 March 2021 22:13

Model name: Oxford
Type:Strap
Period/date:1934ish
Gender:male

Case Maker:Gruen
Case Material:Guildite
Case Serial:6049294
Case Style no:154

Caliber:704
Movement Maker:Gruen Lavina
Movement Serial:

Bracelet: Of period,likely original. Note small detail: I like how the u is flipped in Gruen on caseback.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7921&private=0 .

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