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Pan American Official [message #4947] Mon, 26 January 2015 16:32 Go to next message
Columbus is currently offline  Columbus
Messages: 3
Registered: January 2015
Gruen Apprentice
Model name :Official
Type :Pan American
Period/date :1940
Gender :Gents

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

Caliber :420SS
Movement Maker :Gruen
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

This watch was in a box with some old coins, Army ribbons and assorted stuff and packed in the bottom of a foot locker my father has had since the end of WWII - I never saw the watch when I was growing up and the foot locker has been in my basement for the last 20 years. I knew there was some old jewelry in there but never paid it much mind. Decided to go through it all and hand it off to my sons and when I turned the stem on the Gruen the second hand started and I found after all those years it works just fine. I've no idea what it is. The case measures 32mm, the back is marked Gruen, 10k gold filled and other than obviously being worn in its day there is no damage anywhere,crystal is intact, unscratched. What is it and could someone recommend a place I can send it, in trust, to get it cleaned and serviced?

index.php?t=getfile&id=2055&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2056&private=0
  • Attachment: gruen 006.JPG
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  • Attachment: gruen 008.JPG
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[Updated on: Sun, 04 February 2018 20:11] by Moderator

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Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4953 is a reply to message #4947] Tue, 27 January 2015 02:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
Messages: 1862
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin
It is a nice looking watch from the Pan American series. Case style is similar to the 'Eagle'. Second hand is not original but that dial looks great. Great heirloom in my opinion. Movement will be Gruen's 420ss: A beautiful workhorse on par with Omega's of the same age in my opinion. These can be timed to within a few seconds accuracy per week.

As for getting it serviced, you have options but I'll let someone else chime in on that.


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
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4954 is a reply to message #4953] Tue, 27 January 2015 02:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario
Gruen Master
NICE watch! If you are looking for service work and if he's available, JackW does a very good job in servicing these 420's! Send him a PM. If it has sat for that long without being run, its probably wise to have it serviced before you attempt to wear/run it.

Still here....

[Updated on: Wed, 28 January 2015 01:22]

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Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4956 is a reply to message #4954] Tue, 27 January 2015 13:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Columbus is currently offline  Columbus
Messages: 3
Registered: January 2015
Gruen Apprentice
If I can find someone for service work do you think it advisable to get the second hand replaced or should I leave it as is?
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4958 is a reply to message #4956] Tue, 27 January 2015 13:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
If you can get a original one, try to get it replaced.

BTW, I think the model is the 1946 Pan American Official:

index.php?t=getfile&id=2064&private=0


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4959 is a reply to message #4958] Tue, 27 January 2015 14:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario
Gruen Master
That's a BIG 'if'. Trying to find a correct replacement second hand is difficult. Confused

Still here....

[Updated on: Tue, 27 January 2015 14:53]

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Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4960 is a reply to message #4958] Tue, 27 January 2015 14:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
I agree with Jack that it is an Eagle. The Official dial is different and is "all printed" with a black 24hr ring.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2065&private=0
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4964 is a reply to message #4960] Tue, 27 January 2015 14:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Thojil, you are absolutely right correcting me. I did not pay attention enough to the dial, the case of both watches seems to be the same, but the Official comes with the black 24 hour ring and a metal mesh band and the Eagle is the "cheaper" variant with leather strap and the silver 24 hour ring.

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #4976 is a reply to message #4964] Wed, 28 January 2015 01:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Columbus is currently offline  Columbus
Messages: 3
Registered: January 2015
Gruen Apprentice
Thanks for the information. Hopefully I can find someone close by who can service it and not destroy anything.
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #5025 is a reply to message #4976] Tue, 03 February 2015 23:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Timeticker is currently offline  Timeticker
Messages: 568
Registered: June 2013
Location: Somewhere in the world
Gruen Master
I have that same watch. Very nice!

People you thought were your best friends will stab you in the back to your face!

Love them anyway.
A "Paradoxical Commandment"
Re: 70 years in a foot locker [message #5747 is a reply to message #5025] Sun, 02 August 2015 02:05 Go to previous message
Gruencurvex is currently offline  Gruencurvex
Messages: 12
Registered: January 2014
Gruen Apprentice
Late to the party....that is a great Pan AM Eagle
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