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Orla

Wed, 15 April 2015 15:26

Just saw this Alpina Gruen with a dial marked Orla. Custom for somebody named Orla? Or yet another Guild affiliate? Anybody familiar with the name? A quick google search doesn't turn up any Orla watch company.

Watches from the Guild | 4 comments

Hexagons in the Master Book

Plate 24C?; Thu, 09 April 2015 13:27

Not sure if I put this here or more in the 20s section...

Model name : Plate 24C in a higher grade version
Type : Solid Gold Wristlet
Period/date : ca. 1919
Gender : Ladies

Case Maker : unknown, may be Gruen or Wadsworth
Case Material : 18K white gold
Case Serial : 1022246
Case Style no : 137 1/2

Caliber : 1396 /16 jewels 3 adjusts
Movement Maker : Gruen Watch Specialties Co
Movement Serial: n.A.

Bracelet : none, should be silk ribbon but the watch is prepared for a different band

Other info : Plate 24C from the 1918 "A worthy company of watchmakers" in 18K with rich engravements and lug covering flaps

[Picture Front]
index.php?t=getfile&id=2240&private=0

[Picture caseback inside]
index.php?t=getfile&id=2239&private=0

[Picture movement]
index.php?t=getfile&id=2241&private=0

[Picture sideview]
index.php?t=getfile&id=2242&private=0

[Picture ad]
index.php?t=getfile&id=2243&private=0

The ad is the closest equivalent I could find. There is the hint that prices did vary according to case and movement so I am assuming that this is one of the varieties the 24C could come in.
Apologies because of the dial, I have not yet worked on the watch. It definitely is one of the most interesting in my collection, once I get her a band I will also try to restore the dial.
I am wondering why I can't find a single Hexagon in the Master Book is there anyone here who knows a good reason? Was that watch too early to be included in the MB?
Also the movement gave me a hard time to identify it. Does the "W" after 18K stand for white gold or for Wadsworth, any opinion or insights?

1910's and prior | 6 comments

Gruen Orné 43

Case stamped Gruen 14kt Cincinnati 153/74 1251773; Wed, 25 March 2015 02:34

Model name :Orné
Type :Cartouche
Period/date :1930's
Gender :Ladies

Case Maker :Gruen
Case Material :14KT
Case Serial :1251773
Case Style no :74

Caliber :153
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

index.php?t=getfile&id=2216&private=0

wondering if anyone can give me info on this watch?

Age?

Value?

Moderator Edit: Rotated picture orientation and re-sized. Too large for downloading to browser.

1930's | 1 comment

Curvex Captain (440)

Sat, 21 March 2015 04:29

Model name: Curvex Captain
Period/date: 1943 (Wadsworth case serial number prefix)
Gender: Mens
Case Maker: Wadsworth
Case Material: 10 karat gold filled over sterling silver
Case Serial: G328487
Case Style no: 440 498
Caliber: 440
Movement Maker: Gruen Precision
Movement Serial: 5926
Other: Model name comes from various ads in the reference section of the forum and can be also found in Gruen Watch Model Identification Guide Volume 1.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2208&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2209&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2210&private=0

1940's | 3 comments

Curvex Ace

Sat, 21 March 2015 04:10

Model name :Ace
Type :Curvex
Period/date :1935
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :
Case Material :
Case Serial :
Case Style no :255

Caliber :311
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

index.php?t=getfile&id=2207&private=0

I recently acquired this Gruen Curvex from ebay. It has 311 movement. The case back has 255 stamped into it. This indicates it is a 1937 with correct movement by using Mike' and Berry's excellent Internet site. I think the name of this watch is a Baron again using one of Mike's books. I am in need of hands for this watch. I think the correct hands are gilt baton or moon hands. They appear to be 8 mm. Any correction to the above is welcome. To find the hands would be great!

Darrel

1930's | 3 comments

'Cartouche' case with Cal. 849

Thu, 12 March 2015 19:26

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

Case Maker :Swiss (Unknown)
Case Material :14K SG
Case Serial :5333
Case Style no :

Caliber :846
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

I just got lucky and won this cartouche shaped full Swiss Gruen featuring the mysterious 'Factory L' movement Cal. 849. So far I had never seen this movement in its original case, until I found this one in Germany Very Happy

Solid 14k 30x19mm ornate case with wire lugs. Unfortunatelly the case doesn't give any additional clues other than it was produced in Switzerland. So happy with any additional info.

The pictures are from the seller.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2195&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2196&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2197&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2198&private=0

1920's | 11 comments

Strap 320: Similar to the Tilton

Mon, 23 February 2015 00:09

Model name : Similar to the Tilton
Type : manual
Period/date : ca. 1935
Gender : Mens

Case Maker : Gruen Watch Co
Case Material : 10kt yellow gold filled
Case Serial : 2336715
Case Style no : 186

Caliber : 165
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: unknown

Bracelet : Metal or cord (what is this type of metal bracelet called?)

Other info : This is an exact match to Strap 320. A 1936 ad for the Tilton in Mike Barnett's 1930s decade book shows that this watch is very similar to the Tilton but not an exact match. The ad for this watch shows a metal bracelet but the other Tiltons show cord bracelets. The case does not include a movement number but only the case style number. (The case does close nicely but was open in that complete shot as I was taking pictures.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2137&private=0 , index.php?t=getfile&id=2138&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2136&private=0 , index.php?t=getfile&id=2135&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2139&private=0

.

1930's | 17 comments

Curvex Portrait

Thu, 12 February 2015 19:06

Model name :Portrait
Type :Curvex
Period/date :1952
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :Wadsworth
Case Material :14K SG
Case Serial :L207305
Case Style no :498

Caliber :440
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

index.php?t=getfile&id=2090&private=0 Hi fellow Gruen Enthusiasts!
I need some help identifying my current Gruen.
Here is what I know. It is a 440 Caliber and 498 Model. The serial number reads - L253888. Is this from 1942 or 1952? Also, what does the L stand for? Am I correct in thinking this is a Portrait with Rope Lugs? Please help!

index.php?t=getfile&id=2091&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2090&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2092&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2093&private=0

1950's and Up | 16 comments

Gruen Guild "Belmont"

Tue, 27 January 2015 14:49

Model name : Belmont
Type : Barrel case
Period/date : 1934-1935
Gender : Mens

Case Maker : Wadsworth
Case Material : 10k GF
Case Serial : 3089509
Case Style no : 3

Caliber : 3157 - 17 jewel
Movement Maker : Gruen Guild
Movement Serial: 212233

Bracelet : Brown leather, 16mm lugs

Other info : Confirmed in 1934 advertisement selling for $37.50. Same style# & movement# as Thoji's Strap 156 posted here and Timeliz' Strap 157 posted here.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2067&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=2066&private=0

index.php?t=getfile&id=2068&private=0

1930's | 6 comments

Gruen Belmont

Mon, 26 January 2015 21:46

Model name :Belmont
Type :
Period/date :1934
Gender :Gents

Case Maker :Wadsworth
Case Material :10K GF
Case Serial :3089059
Case Style no :

Caliber :315
Movement Maker :Guild?
Movement Serial:212233

Bracelet :

hi all, A very similar watch generated some discussion over on the VWF forum here at this link. Mine has a 10k GF Wadsworth case which differs from the other thread. I believe this movement is actually a 3157 rather than a 315 since it has 17 jewels?. Not sure that this watch was identified over on VWF though. I probably dont want to state this too loudly but i 'won' this auction on the swamp for .99 cents... and it works & keeps time.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2061&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2058&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2059&private=0