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14K Caliber 355 Stuanton
Sun, 16 March 2014 17:12
Model name : Stuanton
Type : Type of Quadron
Period/date : 1936-1940
Gender : Male
Case Maker : Katz & Oguish
Case Material : 14 karat yellow gold
Case Serial : 78892
Case Style no : 240
Caliber : 355
Movement Maker : Gruen Watch Company
Movement Serial: 718617
Bracelet : Lizard
I have posted pictures on "another" location. I am discovering that this watch may or perhaps not, be a difficult watch to find. I have tried to find as much information about this model (240) that I can. I have read that the 240 was only made in 14 karat gold. I do not know whether that is accurate. I do know that I have not seen many of this particular model. I have read that it is called a Quadron 139?
I would love to have the experts weigh in on this a peel back the fuzzy layers as to the "know facts' of this model. It is a model that I do not wear much at all. I was thinking of selling it as it sits in my watch box. I am discovering that maybe it is a better idea to hold on to the watch as it might be a limited production model from approximately the late 30's despite the presentation of 1940.
I do appreciate all your help, some on you have been instrumental in building my "Quadron" collection to 15, within that 15 are 5 solid gold Quadron's! I have obtained parts from some of you, I have received valuable information in the restoration process and most of all, to be a part of something that can not be measured. It is common thread of sharing a passion of a sliver of the universe. That sliver is collecting Vintage Gruen Watches from the 1920's to 1930's! Thank all of you for your encouragement, my wife does not share that view, but she likes to wear my pieces occasionally.
How about a little intrigue. According to Mike Barnett and Barry Cooper's Gruen dating chart (an amazing resource for information) the caliber 355 was used for eight different models, yet I have read model 240 was only produced in solid gold. 8 models with the same caliber of movement, in 4 years of production. I am more confused now?
1930's |
4 comments
Autowind Leader
Sat, 15 March 2014 02:27
Model name :Leader
Type :Autowind
Period/date :1953-1955
Gender :Gents
Case Maker :
Case Material :
Case Serial :
Case Style no :
Caliber :
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:
Bracelet :
Other info :
Hey all.
I cantget the case back off this, and am curious about the year. The caseback is marked 69901D.
EDIT Jenneke: Rearranged pictures
1950's and Up |
26 comments
Autowind Veri-Thin ~1947-ish
Cal 460 with blued Slim-bo hands; Wed, 05 March 2014 02:52
Model name : unknown - Import 264 (p. 194 in Shawkey's guide)
Type : Autowind Veri-Thin
Period/date : 1947-ish
Gender :Mens
Case Maker : Swiss (potential Gabus Freres)
Case Material : Stainless steel
Case Serial :146898
Case Style no : n/a
Caliber : 460
Movement Maker : Gruen
Movement Serial: None
Bracelet : Later addition flexible bracelet from Spiedel
Other info : I posted on this watch shortly after I bought it. Linked here. I've now over-hauled the watch, tore it down completely, then lubricating (that is for you Mike B.) the movement as it was reassembled. Having taken apart several cal 420 and others of the 405 series, the 460 is so similar once you strip off the automatic parts and get into the watch that to me, the 460 and the 405 are designed by the same person*. No hard evidence to support that claim. I'll get a photo on the next one I rebuild and maybe you'll see what I see. And now photos...
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
*Henri Thiebaud's name is on the patent for the 405. I believe he is credited with designing most watches in the Katz period. Though if you think about the differences in the 405 and the 460, verses the Curvex designs of the period (330, 440, etc) and the 460 that the designers, the latter by Frey, are shown in their work. Cary discusses here in a thread Barry started: Here
1940's |
4 comments
Electra
Wed, 26 February 2014 05:00
Model name: Electra
Type: Electromechanical
Period/date: 1961
Gender: Men's
Case Maker: Unknown
Case Material: Gold base metal bezel, stainless steel back.
Case Serial: N/A
Case Style no: N/A
Caliber: 760SS, 12 jewels
Movement Maker: Landeron 4750
Movement Serial:N/A
Bracelet: 17mm
Other info: 35mm in diameter, and nearly 14.5mm thick at the thickest. The Landeron 4750 was the first electric movement from Switzerland and it uses a fixed coil. The watch was repaired by Paul at http://www.electric-watches.co.uk/index.php and at his site you can find a great deal of information about electric watches in general, and this movement in particular.
 , 
1950's and Up |
13 comments
Alpina 130 years
Tue, 25 February 2014 17:17
This is interesting reading published by Alpina on the history of the brand. Not a lot of information in there that was not already known, but some additional information that is interesting like the fact that Marc Farvre bought the ébauches from Universal Genève. The same time there is questionable information saying that calibers like the 117,119,123,311 were were sourced from "Gruen, and thus Aegler..."
I have not been able to find the document on the Alpina site, but there is a cached PDF file still on the web.
Search for 130 YeArs of WAtchmAking historY
Watches from the Guild |
6 comments
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