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Curvex Portait [message #6966] Thu, 23 June 2016 03:30 Go to next message
Grant695 is currently offline  Grant695
Messages: 6
Registered: June 2016
Location: Des Moines
Gruen Apprentice
Model name :Portrait
Type :Curvex
Period/date :1950's
Gender :Gents

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

Caliber :
Movement Maker :
Movement Serial:

Bracelet :

Other info :

index.php?t=getfile&id=2904&private=0Hello everyone,

I recently came across 3 Gruen watches all "New Old Stock" the watches have never been worn and have the original tags, box and prices on them from 1940. They all have been serviced and taken care of.

By providing pictures I was hoping you could help me identify each watch by model and movement and value. You guys are wizards at this and I can't wait to hear your opinions on each timepiece, sadly I only have 2 sets of photos, the third is on the way!


Thanks,

Grant


index.php?t=getfile&id=2904&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2905&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2906&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2908&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=2910&private=0
  • Attachment: Curvex Rear Case.JPG
    (Size: 577.06KB, Downloaded 217 times)
  • Attachment: Full .JPG
    (Size: 914.86KB, Downloaded 552 times)
  • Attachment: In Box.JPG
    (Size: 722.50KB, Downloaded 555 times)
  • Attachment: Tags.JPG
    (Size: 1.12MB, Downloaded 543 times)
  • Attachment: With Tags.JPG
    (Size: 1.19MB, Downloaded 217 times)
  • Attachment: Full.JPG
    (Size: 792.16KB, Downloaded 554 times)
  • Attachment: Rear.JPG
    (Size: 725.15KB, Downloaded 214 times)
  • Attachment: With Case.JPG
    (Size: 738.25KB, Downloaded 504 times)

[Updated on: Sun, 04 February 2018 22:14] by Moderator

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Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #6993 is a reply to message #6966] Wed, 29 June 2016 19:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mrleejohn is currently offline  mrleejohn
Messages: 26
Registered: March 2016
Location: Netherlands
Gruen Apprentice
Beautifull watches.... marvelous condition too.

Could you give us a look inside.... could you remove the back and post pictures?

[Updated on: Wed, 29 June 2016 19:51]

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Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7022 is a reply to message #6993] Mon, 04 July 2016 14:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Grant695 is currently offline  Grant695
Messages: 6
Registered: June 2016
Location: Des Moines
Gruen Apprentice
Sadly I can not, I have not practiced enough with my junk watches for me to truly want to jump inside! Maybe someday I can though.

Any idea on Values and Identifications? I can't find anything about my models
Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7023 is a reply to message #7022] Mon, 04 July 2016 15:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Hi,

it is interesting that your tag says that the Curvex with the curled lugs is the Symphony model.
The advertisements of 1950 and 1951 show it together with a ladies Curvex, and in the ad the ladies watch is called the Symphony and the mens is called Prelude. Also the price control documents from this time indicate the Symphony being a ladies watch.

So I am not quite sure if everything is correct with your watches being NOS, but it could simply be a mixup of the dealer 65 years ago.

Value? Watches are worth what buyers are willing to pay, I believe the Curvex could go for up to $200, the Precision for half the price. I personally would not pay that price, so to me they would not be worth it.

Barney


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

[Updated on: Tue, 05 July 2016 13:57]

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Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7024 is a reply to message #7023] Mon, 04 July 2016 16:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C. Hurt is currently offline  C. Hurt
Messages: 243
Registered: May 2013
Gruen Guildsman
And that Curvex was advertised in 1950 as the "Portrait".

It's possible that the tags and boxes were mixed up at the jeweler. I agree with Bernd that it is unlikely that this was the original box and tag combination. Still a very nice watch in excellent condition.

The Precision is a nice watch as well. Again not sure if that's the correct box but these things were often mixed up when watches were removed from their cases for display in the jeweler so showcases. Would like to see more photos and am looking forward to details of the third watch.
Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7026 is a reply to message #7024] Mon, 04 July 2016 19:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Cary is absolutely correct. With the leather band the watch was the Curvex Portait. The Curvex Prelude is the same watch but equipped with a stretch band.

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)

[Updated on: Tue, 05 July 2016 13:55]

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Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7030 is a reply to message #7026] Tue, 05 July 2016 13:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
BTW: the second watch you are showing there is the Gruen Biltmore. It was introduced December 1955 and did cost $39.75. It does not have the original extension band which makes me believe that your watches are not NOS. Nevertheless they seem to be in perfect state, so that would not be a problem to me personally.

Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7095 is a reply to message #7030] Wed, 27 July 2016 23:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Grant695 is currently offline  Grant695
Messages: 6
Registered: June 2016
Location: Des Moines
Gruen Apprentice
Sorry for the late reply everyone! Wow I truly appreciate your feedback Very Happy it means the world to me!!

Thank you for helping me identify the timepieces. As a 22 year old collector my "knowledge" only goes so far haha. So I tried to look up the Biltmore model but none of them look similar to mine, is there a better way for me to research them?

Thanks!
Re: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7103 is a reply to message #7095] Thu, 28 July 2016 04:02 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
If you are a member of the NAWCC you can borrow books from their library via mail. The recent ones that Bruce Shawkey and also the series that Mike Barnett are available for loan. That might be a good place to start or a reason to join.

You can put me down as your 'referral' if you do join. Very Happy


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: Curvex Precision Symphony & Precision [message #7105 is a reply to message #7103] Thu, 28 July 2016 18:29 Go to previous message
Barney Green
Messages: 1725
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Gruen Authority
Jack is right. The watch can at least be found in Mike's 1950s book.

Here is it from an ad from my collection:
index.php?t=getfile&id=2929&private=0
  • Attachment: Biltmore.jpg
    (Size: 91.76KB, Downloaded 350 times)


Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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