Show: Today's Messages :: Unanswered Messages :: Polls :: Message Navigator

Caliber 849 - 6.5L, 16J - Factory L

6.5'" 16J; Thu, 05 December 2019 03:11

Maker: Factory L
Size: 6.5 ligne
Jewel Markings: 16 Jewels
Adj Markings: 4 Adj
Config: Hunter
Dial feet: 12.5 & 6 positions
Dial release mech: side screws
Example date: your guess as good as mine... 1918-1920?

Other markings: front plate--"27" lot code & "42796" (sn), "Depose"; back of dial engraved "45252"; signed "Gruen Watch Co"

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5708&private=0

The caliber database | 18 comments

Caliber 96 (United Watch Co + Gruen Guarantee)

Marc Favre, 10L, OF, 15J; Tue, 03 December 2019 23:47

Maker: Marc Favre
Size: 10 ligne
Config: Open Face
Dial feet: 10.5 & 4.5 positions
Dial release mech: side screws
Example date: ca. 1912
Variants: sister Caliber 97 (possibly hunter config?)

The Caliber date table I've seen lists the introduction date for Caliber 96 as 1917. That is not the case. Here is an early version, made 1912-1913, marked "United W. Co" & "Guarantee Gruen" (transitional, pre-"Gruen Guarantee"). Back plate stamped "Fifteen 15 Jewels", not marked for adjustments. Front plate stamped with lot code "24". Ceramic dial, back marked only "Suisse".

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5701&private=0

I've noted later examples, with cases stamped "96", and here is the image from the 1939 parts catalog:

The caliber database | 16 comments

Caliber 626 (& Caliber 101 disambiguation)

8 3/4 Ligne, Hunter - FHF Robert?; Fri, 22 November 2019 14:30

[Rampant edits] Had previously posted this on the sister caliber 103 thread, but I noted the 101/626 had not been documented. Thanks to Liz for help below with disambiguation of the two.

Here is an early WSC variant. 8 3/4 ligne. 16J, 3ADJ. Dial back stamped "101" (dials interchangeable). Front plate has the FHF patent, plus the lot # "17 7577". Could it be the maker was kind enough to mark the make year? "17" = 1917?

Dr. Rannft has cataloged this as the FHF Factory Robert (Gruen Factory R) 8.75'" movement herehttp:// www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2 uswk&Gruen_101. Haven't seen any front plate marks for Factory R, to see if my example matches the style & indicates it was finished there or ebauched to another factory. Most likely sourced directly from FHF/Factory R. Different from the 101, which was sourced as an ebauche from FHF & finished at the Gruen factory (first as regular adjusted, then ca1922 becoming a "precision" caliber)

Caliber 626
Configuration: Hunter
Example date: approx. 1917
Diameter: 8.75 ligne (approx 19.7mm)
Jewel count: 16
Adjustments: 3
Dial feet positions: 10 & 4
Dial release mech: release screws on back plate

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5566&private=0

The caliber database | 6 comments

Calibers 794, 794(S), 794(7) -- WSC, Factory F, Guild

Evolution of movements & variants; Tue, 12 November 2019 22:39

(edited to correct "Factory F" to Frey--not Favre Razz )

Size: 10.5 ligne
Config: Open Face
Dial feet: 11 & 5 positions
Dial release mech: friction (no screws)
Variants: 794 (15j, no seconds), 794s (15j, sub-seconds), 7497 (17j, no seconds)

I've just found several variants of this caliber in my collection--all from ca1920 to 1922--thought it might be interesting to see what changed & what didn't. Two are marked "Factory F," and all appear to have been finished by Frey vs. ebauched.

I'm noticing that all "Factory F" marked watches from this period that I own or see on the forum share the same simple stud carrier & click. All mine also have a 6 digit progressive serial number stamped on the front plate by the winding works. May help point out what's Frey finished vs. a Frey ebauche finished at another factory, if others have noticed the same.

They all seem to have 3 adjustments, too...

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5487&private=0

201203 - factory F stamped; no caliber # stamped

203644 - factory F stamped; no caliber # stamped; G Pilot Quality 10.5L case # 610367 engraved "1920"

Frey W Co (Delmar): sn 240775, now with 1922 tariff stamps

The caliber database | 2 comments

Caliber 647 (Record)

Tue, 22 October 2019 17:17

You guys are going crazy with a caliber database, so I figured I should try to carry my own weight.

Here's a relatively uncommon one, the 17 jewel Watch Specialties Co. caliber 647. I'm guessing it was in use from the late teens to early twenties. I think my ID as Record 022K is solid. The distinctive bridges and setting parts seem identical to me. The 647 shows up as a movement option for plate 23-B (Strap 1 style) in the 1918 book, but the case is more like the 23-C with conventional lugs.

This example has a serial number of 858749 and in a sterling case with a serial number 567414. I'm guessing the case was Cincinnati made. It doesn't have any Swiss or other markings.

For any further information, I think you can ask timeliz. I'm reasonably confident I sold it to her!

The caliber database | 1 comment

Is this a 1938 Curvex Majesty?

Tue, 22 October 2019 11:45

Good morning to all, I am new here and in the Gruen world. A friend watchmaker has this Gruen Curvex, case 52mm x 22, a very damaged dial, and I was wondering if it is a Majesty or not.
Majesty or not, I would like to hear your thoughts about it
here is a few pic.

1930's | 17 comments

Calibre 705 and 704

Gruen Guild Movements; Sat, 19 October 2019 01:33

No entries for this family of movements yet.
705.

10 1/2 lignes.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5345&private=0

704.

10 1/2 lignes.

The caliber database | 11 comments

Cal 103

Fri, 18 October 2019 15:00

Has anyonw ever come across a caliber 103 movement? This is the first time I have seen one.
The 1926 Supplement B Parts Catalog shows it, it is 8 ligne (althought actually I measure 7.85 ligne), the catalog says 15 and 16 jewels, but it actally is 17 jewels 4 Adjustments. Mikes book lists it as introdcued 1917 which is well possible. Numbers only for jewels /adj, no jewel or adjustment count in words.
Marked Gruen W. Co., so it may be a in house movement? It appears to be very light weight, almost as it were made of aluminium.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5334&private=0

The caliber database | 20 comments

Precision Caliber 90 / 91 / 92 / 93 (Gruen Watch Co.)

11'", 15 (90/91) or 17 (92/93) jewel, Manual wind; Mon, 07 October 2019 17:13

Based on the many discussions around cals 91-92-93 recently, wanted to share this example. Stamped as cal 92, seemingly cataloged as cal 93. Interesting setting mechanism.

Introduction date: 1911

Identification method: "92" stamped both on back of dial & between bridges. I also say caliber 93, as this appears to be an orphaned radium dial version of Strap model 12 (note hands vs Strap 11 shown with radium dial), which Master Book lists as caliber 93
Size: 11'"
Thickness: 4mm
Jewel marks: 17 Seventeen
Adj marks: Adjusted Temp
Other marks: movement # stamped on front plate & bridge, "Suisse" stamped on back plate near barrel bridge, "15078" stamped on back of dial (dial serial #??)
Example production date: 1923-1924, based on movement #

Dial feet locations: 1130 & 530 positions
Dial attachment means: side screws

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5281&private=0

The caliber database | 1 comment

Cal 450

Chronotimer; Sun, 06 October 2019 16:33

With thojil's post featuring what is likely Thieboud's prototype for the 1-button chronograph that Gruen produced, I thought the cal 450 should be in the database.
http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&th=1656& amp; amp;start=0&

Incidentally, I think thojil shouldn't be allowed any more of these:
http://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=239 &&srch=450#msg_239

I think though from thojil's watches, that it is plainly obvious that the 450 is developed in house. The prototype actually supports what is written in Pynson and Chaulmontet's Chronographs for Collectors. The 450 is not on Ranfft's site.

So here is the loose 450 that was on the swamp recently:
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=5275&private=0

I also intend to figure out the disassembly of this watch. There is no technical information on the watch that I have been able to find.

The caliber database | 10 comments

Vintage Gruen

The forum for Gruen watch enthusiasts.

Pages (44): [ « ‹ 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 › »]

Current Time: Mon Oct 14 01:11:15 UTC 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.04019 seconds