Vintage Gruen: 1940's » Veri-Thin Airway?

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Veri-Thin Airway? [message #6343]

Sat, 12 December 2015 17:42

Gary
Messages: 2173
Registered: May 2013
Location: Seattle

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Model name :Airway?
Type :Veri-Thin
Period/date :Early 1940's
Gender :Male

Case Maker :Katz & Ogush
Case Material :14K Gold filled?
Case Serial :234873
Case Style no :Unknown

Caliber :405
Movement Maker :Gruen Precision
Movement Serial:941878

Bracelet :Leather

Other info :Interesting to find the solid gold K&0 marks on the case when you see "base metal" on the case back. So you can call this 14K gold filled over base metal?

Per Jack's Gruen case document the K&0 case period was 1921-1937. Ben Katz left and went to Gruen in 1935 but cases with the K&0 were at least marked up until 1940. Hence how I guessed the year, could be late 30's.

index.php?t=getfile&id=2607&private=0

Attachment: Airway (1).jpg
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Attachment: Airway (2).jpg
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Attachment: Airway (3).jpg
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[Updated on: Sat, 12 December 2015 18:38]

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Re: Veri-Thin Airway? [message #6344 is a reply to message #6343]

Sat, 12 December 2015 18:22

JackW
Messages: 1981
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

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Here is a question... Does it take the new model or old model type winding stem? I'd think that this was an early 1940s, if not late 1930s watch style. However, the movement serial is in the 1944/45 range. Movement swap maybe? The watch case maker K&O continued as simply Ogush and this change does seem to occur about 1940. Looking through the 'Gruen Time' company news letters, Ogush also became a member of Gruen's Board.

Nice watch too!

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

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Re: Veri-Thin Airway? [message #6345 is a reply to message #6344]

Sat, 12 December 2015 22:07

Gary
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Registered: May 2013
Location: Seattle

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JackW wrote on Sat, 12 December 2015 18:22

Here is a question... Does it take the new model or old model type winding stem?

I can't tell without removing it. The movement could have replaced just because there should be gold hands not the blued ones it currently has.
I took it back to the local antique shop, it's for sale. They put a $400 price on it. I told them I was skeptical of the 14K value with the base metal back. I think that would reduce the price.

[Updated on: Sat, 12 December 2015 22:07]

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Re: Veri-Thin Airway? [message #6347 is a reply to message #6345]

Sun, 13 December 2015 00:27

JackW
Messages: 1981
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

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The back isn't base metal; the ring that is working as a stiffener to the case is however. I think this was one of those things borne out of the depression. The outer parts are solid 14K; where it matters as a piece of jewelry for wear.

The $400 price... Good luck. I sold that Nomad/Viceroy for far less then it was worth and there was none of these basemetal parts on the inside.

Did you do an overhaul on it?

[Updated on: Sun, 13 December 2015 00:27]

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Re: Veri-Thin Airway? [message #6348 is a reply to message #6347]

Sun, 13 December 2015 02:15

Gary
Messages: 2173
Registered: May 2013
Location: Seattle

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JackW wrote on Sun, 13 December 2015 00:27

Did you do an overhaul on it?

No it was already serviced before it was given to me to look at. Yeah if I did the overhaul I would always have pictures. I never get out of that habit. ;-)

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