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Curvex Captain

Thu, 19 March 2020 17:33

Model name : Captain
Type : Curvex
Period/date : 1951 - 1953 (?)
Gender : Male

Case Maker : ???
Case Material : 10K Gold filled
Case Serial : D277658
Case Style no : 370 / 750

Caliber : 370
Movement Maker : Gruen
Movement Serial: D 866998

Bracelet : - -

Other info : The Captain is shown in an ad in “The Windsor Star” of January 9, 1953 (thanks to Barney, who found it!). Dial has a crosshair pattern. Obviously, a black dial was available also.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6200&private=0

1950's and Up | 4 comments

Victoria Box

Red and black velvet variant of the Green Box; Tue, 03 March 2020 13:46

I was given not only this nice Victoria box but also little Vicky itself as a present by a very valued member of this forum. So a very big thank you to the generous guy who made me a big pleasure!!!

This box was used for the Victor and Victoria series which was introduced and heavily promoted in 1936 being the market opener for smaller watches after the baguette era for the ladies. The outside came in red and black velvet covering the wooden box. Just like the green box it has a polished metal rim at the opening. Gruen writing on the silk like inner cover comes in a modified font, also the crest has been modified over the slightly older green box. Not known if there were other watches of that time coming in the same box.

Period : 1936 - 1938
Watch type : Victor & Victoria with its variants
Size : L=7cm W=12.2cm Hfront=3.1cm Hback=5cm
Inventor : unknown
Patents : unknown

Box maker : unknown

Front view closed:
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6179&private=0

Front and side view closed:

Back side with hinge:

Inside frontal view:

Inside from an angle:

I can add a picture of the accompanying guarantee certificate and a promotional pamphlet of the series showing the box in a second post if there is a wish for it.

Barney

1930s | 3 comments

Anyone know what this is?

Gruen watch that I am trying to find; Mon, 24 February 2020 05:03

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6168&private=0 I am looking to replace this watch. It was a gift from a friend that was stolen because I was absentminded and too trusting. Any info on what exact model of gruen watch this is would help greatly. Thank you

Model name :
Type :
Period/date :
Gender :

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

Caliber :
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

Other info : /vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6168&private=0

1950's and Up | 3 comments

Case openers

Fri, 21 February 2020 21:20

I have two of each so I can show both sides at the same time!

The round opener fits the Pan Americans, Triple Date, and Chronotimer. It doesn't fit the Airflight/Day-Nite.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6158&private=0

Gruen Watchmaking Tools | 8 comments

Unusual Ladies Wristwatch Box

Thu, 20 February 2020 17:45

Period : 1910s
Watch type : Ladies (watch shown is just for size reference)
Size : Approximately 4" x 3" x 1.5"
Inventor : Unknown
Patents : Unknown
Box maker : Unmarked

I have no idea what the "I.W. 1917" marking means. My best guess is that perhaps there was an option to personalize the box and that these are the original owners initials and the year of purchase/gifting.

1910s and prior | 1 comment

Curvex Box “Gray Egg” 1950 and later

Thu, 13 February 2020 17:25

Period : 1950 and later

Watch type : Gruen Curvex

Size : Height 11 cm (4 5/16”), Depth 7 cm (2 ¾”), width 5.4 cm (2 1/8”)

Inventor : Francis E. Blod and Alfred M. Blumenfeld

Patents : US Patent 2,667,967 and US Design Patent 161,898 (both applied on Sep. 21, 1950)

Box maker : Braun-Crystal Manufacturing Co. and BCN Design Products Inc., respectively

Shortly after application of the patents the box was already advertised. Shown here is an ad issued in “The Ohio Daily Express” of October 13, 1950.

The box was sold together with an outer box - it looked like this:

https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/estate-jewelry/watches/gruen-curv ex-precision-gold-filled-watch/a/171820-73052.s

For more photos and for images of the patents see here:

http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&th=1288& amp;goto=12119&#msg_12119

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6131&private=0

1950s | 9 comments

Box with display stand

Gruen Veri-Thin; Wed, 12 February 2020 21:15

Description
A case that holds a pocketwatch and also serves as a display stand for the watch. The guarantee certificate is folded to the size of the box so you can see the number of jewels and adjusted positions.

Period : 1915-1923
Watch type : Pocketwatch
Size : 16
Inventor : Unknown
Patents : Unknown

Box maker : unknown

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6125&private=0

The dollar bill silver certificate piece in the bottom of the box is mystery.

1910s and prior | 4 comments

green black with silver rim

Wed, 12 February 2020 18:33

Description
Gruen top and black bottom hinged. Silver rim. Watch display holder from black velvet with Gruen cincinati label. Booklet Gruen watch guild workshops guarantee (A198 43550). It says "over 60 years" in the manufacture of fine watches--> 1874+60=1934

Period : 1934 - ?
Watch type : ladies baguette
Size : L=7cm W=12.2cm Hfront=3.1cm Hback=5cm
Inventor : unknown
Patents : unknown

Box maker : unknown

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6117&private=0

1930s | 4 comments

wristlet convertible

Wed, 12 February 2020 18:23

Description
Fake leather wooden box in greyish/taupe color with a gold print. Also the text "gruen wristlet watch" on the front side. Has a metal push button to open te case. Inside the case there is a greyish velvet holder for a convertible watch, smal metal strap and ribbon strap. Has silk in the lid stamped "gruen wristlet watch".

Period : 1918 - 1923?
Watch type : ladies convertible wristlet
Size : W=14.3cm D=6.5cm H=2.5cm
Inventor : unknown
Patents : unknown

Box maker : unknown

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6114&private=0

1910s and prior | 17 comments

metal fake brown leather

Wed, 12 February 2020 17:07

Description
Brown fake leather metal box hinged. Black velvet insert stamped gruen in gold. Silk lining in the lid with text "Gruen Wrist Watch". With paperwork "How to care for your watch" (A30A).

Period : 1915-1920?
Watch type : ladies strap wrist watch
Size : L=5cm W=10.2cm H=2.1cm
Inventor : Harry J Farrington?
Patents : Pattent on hinge?

Box maker : Farrington
Farrington custom packaging is foundend in 1920's in Boston (Jamaica Plain sta 30). Was a manufacturer of wrapped metal shell cases f.e. jewelry boxes and eye glass cases.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6110&private=0