Vintage Gruen
The forum for Gruen watch enthusiasts.

Home » The Gruen Model Database » The caliber database » The caliber 839 (Extra precision)
The caliber 839 [message #2943] Sun, 09 February 2014 21:36 Go to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
The Gruen 839 movement is probably an inhouse movement from around 1921. It has 18 jewels and is a Gruen Precision Extra grade. It is 6 ligne.

Seller's photos. Will change them when movement arrives.
index.php?t=getfile&id=1154&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=1155&private=0


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: The caliber 839 [message #12552 is a reply to message #2943] Fri, 12 June 2020 03:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
This movement fascinates me... keep coming back to it, as I’ve never seen one like it.

Just ran across item 371555674969 in the swamp. Siva, a Marc Favre brand. Can’t see works. Could 839 be a Favre ebauche finished at the Precision Factory?


My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more
Re: The caliber 839 [message #12679 is a reply to message #12552] Mon, 22 June 2020 20:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Even better match for the 839: Paul Ditisheim 18J, swamp item 133440866760; close sn to Jenneke’s.

Looking around, the setting mechanism on other Solvils is really close. Here’s one on a 17J: 133385835486


My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more
Re: The caliber 839 [message #12938 is a reply to message #12679] Sun, 26 July 2020 12:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
I would say that that siva movement is a caliber 843, not a 839.

The solvils you mentioned are gone, but others look very different on the dial side. Dunno if I would call it a match.

left to the caliber number on my movement there is a character. J?


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: The caliber 839 [message #12942 is a reply to message #12938] Mon, 27 July 2020 00:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Yes, I did not see an exact match on the myriad other Solvils, just some similarities.

I don’t have any way to view the 843. Just working with the 1926 parts catalog & later ones. Assuming I’d need 1921 or the 1926 sup B?

RE: J, I also note an obscured letter on your dial side opposite the stem. Could be a J or a U? Also appears to have a few other light numbers near the hour wheel. Fascinating movement!


My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more
Re: The caliber 839 [message #12945 is a reply to message #12942] Mon, 27 July 2020 13:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Sub B

I will try if i can clean it a bit with silver polish. Wont remove parts because I am not sure if I can reassemble it Rolling Eyes


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje

[Updated on: Mon, 27 July 2020 14:08]

Report message to a moderator

Re: The caliber 839 [message #13520 is a reply to message #12945] Fri, 28 August 2020 05:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Here’s Paul Ditisheim’s version. Whadaya think? 😁

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6965&private=0
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6964&private=0
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13521 is a reply to message #13520] Fri, 28 August 2020 07:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Match!

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13522 is a reply to message #13521] Fri, 28 August 2020 12:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Same, whow. Nice find. same ebauche maker or it is the maker?

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6966&private=0


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13523 is a reply to message #13522] Fri, 28 August 2020 13:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
I still think it’s a Favre base caliber, but the stamp on the main plate is intriguing, to know if there’s a different ebauche supplier.

As far as who supplied to Gruen, stay tuned. The exact sn placement/orientation/font on this P. Ditty is pretty convincing, but I just got another EP grade Gruen caliber that I think is Favre in house—close serial numbers. Let me get plate pics for it


My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13524 is a reply to message #13523] Fri, 28 August 2020 14:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
Messages: 2108
Registered: May 2013
Location: Left Coast
Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

Favre is really turning out to be a major ebauche supplier. That's a unique funny take on the name there Dan, a Sean Combs ebauche. Very Happy
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13527 is a reply to message #13524] Fri, 28 August 2020 16:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
GaryM wrote on Fri, 28 August 2020 10:17
...That's a unique funny take on the name there Dan, a Sean Combs ebauche. Very Happy
😜

One last detail, with no immediate conclusion: this has an American Art Enamelers dial (like my 610), stamped “1562” & etched “36”. Again, no implication now, but capturing breadcrumbs.

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6971&private=0
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13530 is a reply to message #13527] Fri, 28 August 2020 17:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
Messages: 2108
Registered: May 2013
Location: Left Coast
Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

An American Art Enamelers dial + Precision movement could = Katz & Ogush. Being AAE and K&O were on the same avenue, could have made Jenneke's movement one of those platinum cased watches.

BTW- Could that tarnish be of gold substance, how odd?

[Updated on: Fri, 28 August 2020 17:47]

Report message to a moderator

Re: The caliber 839 [message #13533 is a reply to message #13530] Fri, 28 August 2020 19:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Must be one that had a gold case (or platinum). On the search for a watch that could fit this movement. This?
/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=6973&private=0


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13537 is a reply to message #13533] Fri, 28 August 2020 19:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
Gruen Authority
I have always wanted to know the casemaker for the gold and platinum watch you are showing here Jenneke. Just going by eye I thought it could be supplied by Werthmüller Frères.

Matthias
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13545 is a reply to message #13537] Fri, 28 August 2020 21:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
I, too, think it would’ve been in a platinum/diamond or gold case.

Jenneke’s pic is a contender. It could’ve also been a similar model to the diamond/platinum wristlets in 17/18 Guild books, although her model would need to be a few years later. Those are all 7-8 ligne in 1917, and mine above (not Gruen) has a rectangular dial.


My two caveats:
1) I'm wrong many times a day --just ask my wife!
2) Always seeking to learn more
Re: The caliber 839 [message #13569 is a reply to message #13545] Mon, 31 August 2020 17:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Circling back on supplier in this thread, the markings on the 840
[url=https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&go to=13564&#msg_13564]here[/url] would suggest Favre supplied Gruen & PD. The PD is a different bridge layout, close to the Siva I shared, which doesn’t match Gruen’s (maybe unique for them)

I’ll also note the PD may be a year or 2 earlier than Jenneke’s. He was at ~325k when the 1922 tariff stamps show up.

[Updated on: Sun, 13 February 2022 16:28] by Moderator

Report message to a moderator

Re: The caliber 839 [message #14392 is a reply to message #13569] Thu, 21 January 2021 05:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Jenneke—what could yours have looked like? Be sure to scroll through to pic 12...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282178078312
Re: The caliber 839 [message #14399 is a reply to message #14392] Fri, 22 January 2021 20:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Shocked Shocked Shocked

Well... that is the kind of watch that is still on my watch list. Diamond are a girl’s best friend.

Definitely a variant of the same movement. Sharp eyes!


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: The caliber 839 [message #14483 is a reply to message #14399] Mon, 08 February 2021 17:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
Does this look familiar?

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7788&private=0
Re: The caliber 839 [message #14486 is a reply to message #14483] Mon, 08 February 2021 17:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
I would say... YES. Even that shiny little bit on the escape wheel bridge.

You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Re: The caliber 839 [message #14487 is a reply to message #14486] Mon, 08 February 2021 19:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Case is currently offline  Case
Messages: 1178
Registered: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati
Gruen Authority
I believe this is the debut ad for this movement, from January 1921...

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=7790&private=0
Re: The caliber 839 [message #16119 is a reply to message #14487] Mon, 14 February 2022 21:38 Go to previous message
Jenneke is currently offline  Jenneke
Messages: 1853
Registered: May 2013
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Authority
Maybe a Patek Philippe, see discussion:
https://vintagegruen.org/vgforum/index.php?t=msg&th=2181 &start=0&

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8991&private=0

/vgforum/index.php?t=getfile&id=8992&private=0


You can only waste time if you forget to enjoy it - Loesje
Previous Topic: Caliber 3251
Next Topic: The Caliber 250 Dietrich Gruen
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Sun Apr 28 17:50:50 UTC 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01683 seconds