| Wanted: Dial for “Varsity” Ristside/Driver [message #20574] |
Tue, 15 September 2026 00:01  |
QuietModernist
Messages: 2
Registered: September 2026
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Hello—I’m looking for a compatible dial or donor watch for what appears to be a circa-1938 Gruen Ristside/driver’s watch, likely the 401-352 “Varsity.”
The watch currently has an unusual personalized dial spelling “EARL LYBARGER” around the hour positions. I would like to preserve that dial intact, so ideally I would like to find a period-appropriate Gruen dial that can be installed reversibly for regular wear.
Known details:
• Dial dimensions: 23.94 mm high × 16.88 mm wide
• Shape: elongated shield/tonneau outline with clipped upper corners and a shaped or bowed lower edge
• Configuration: subsidiary seconds at 6
• Dial feet: approximately 10:30 and 4:30 when viewed from the back with 12 at the top
• Movement: 15 jewels; believed to be Gruen caliber 401, although I would appreciate confirmation
• Movement serial appears to read: 4-52669
• Probable case/model identification: Gruen 401-352 “Varsity,” circa 1938
I’m open to:
• A loose original Gruen dial
• A structurally sound donor dial that needs refinishing
• A dial-and-movement assembly
• A damaged or non-running donor watch
• An inexpensive complete watch with a compatible dial
The existing finish does not need to be perfect. I have access to a dial refinisher, so the correct dial blank, dimensions, contours, subsidiary-seconds placement and dial-foot compatibility are more important than cosmetic condition.
If you have something that might fit—or can confirm or correct the model and caliber identification—I would be very grateful for photographs of the front and back, exact measurements, movement caliber and asking price.
Thank you for any help or leads.
Dial design I am trying to find or replicate:
My current dial:
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| Re: Wanted: Dial for “Varsity” Ristside/Driver [message #20581 is a reply to message #20574] |
Wed, 16 September 2026 03:01  |
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JackW
Messages: 2238
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin |
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Hi and welcome to the Gruen forum.
I don’t have a dial for you, unfortunately. You’ll likely just need to be patient and one will turn up. I saw that you posted on FB too about this; it’s uncommon enough that cross posts are definitely warranted. You are going about it right.
Good luck with this.
All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me
"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
[Updated on: Wed, 16 September 2026 03:02] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Wanted: Dial for “Varsity” Ristside/Driver [message #20594 is a reply to message #20586] |
Fri, 18 September 2026 17:18 |
QuietModernist
Messages: 2
Registered: September 2026
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Gruen Apprentice |
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afire wrote on Wed, 16 September 2026 15:06Just chiming in to say that custom dial is cool. It looks original to my eyes. Gruen would do that. I had a cool custom dial for the 1929 Rochester Redwing Baseball Club.
Your dial is very very cool. I completely agree about the preference being to keep the custom dial as it is, which is why I am looking for a donor dial. From my research my dial looks to be done for an individual and aftermarket. Unfortunately this dial in color and design is just not something I would wear regularly. So I am really hoping I can find a dial to swap out.
[Updated on: Fri, 18 September 2026 17:21] Report message to a moderator |
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