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Home » The Gruen Model Database » 1930's » Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement
Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement [message #2156] Sat, 16 November 2013 12:15 Go to next message
brtime is currently offline  brtime
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Apprentice
Model name : Quadron 139
Type : Quadron
Period/date : 1930s
Gender : Male

Case Maker : Cannot identify
Case Material : 10kt yellow gold filled
Case Serial : 2305466
Case Style no : 197

Caliber : 355
Movement Maker : unknown
Movement Serial: 309392

Bracelet : Leather band (aftermarket)

Other info : I have come across a Gruen that, as best as I can tell, is ID'd in the factory records at "Quadron 139." The case is marked with the style number 197, and the watch contains the Precision (17J) Caliber 355 movement. According to factory records, Gruen only made 25 models with this caliber (possibly more, but 25 is the number pictured). The case style number of 197 would seem to indicate manufacture circa 1935 according to the Barnett/Cooper dating chart. I don't believe I've ever had a Gruen with a 355 movement before, so I have to believe these are kind of rare, or at least unusual. I love the patina on this older refinished dial ... a rich caramel color. I did a search of "355" on this forum, and came up empty, even on the Caliber database. I would enjoy hearing comments from Forum members, and of course will update the template with more information if anyone knows who made the case, the movement, etc. I would be interested in knowing what anyone might know about the movement, especially why it seemed to have such a short production run. Maybe Gruen thought the movement was redundant with the introduction of the Curvex?

Sincerely,

Bruce Shawkey
brtime

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index.php?t=getfile&id=885&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=886&private=0


Sincerely,

Bruce Shawkey
brtime
Re: Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement [message #2157 is a reply to message #2156] Sat, 16 November 2013 15:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary
Messages: 2108
Registered: May 2013
Location: Left Coast
Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

Hi Bruce,

The case is most likely made by Gruen. I have a couple of cases like this from the 30's where the name is not shown on the inside case but rather on the back the case near the edge. The name could be worn off but look closely with a loupe and see.

Mine too only show the style# on the inside, no caliber.

What is also surprising is the precision movement. My case examples are only Guild movements.

Will be interesting to hear what others have to say.

Cheers!
Re: Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement [message #2158 is a reply to message #2157] Sat, 16 November 2013 16:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
brtime is currently offline  brtime
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Apprentice
One of the ends of the case back is engraved: GRUEN 10KT GOLD FILLED. That is all. Forgot to mention that the lugs on this particular model are pierced.

Sincerely,

Bruce Shawkey
brtime
Re: Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement [message #2161 is a reply to message #2156] Sat, 16 November 2013 22:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
brtime wrote on Sat, 16 November 2013 13:15
I did a search of "355" on this forum, and came up empty, even on the Caliber database. I would enjoy hearing comments from Forum members, and of course will update the template with more information if anyone knows who made the case, the movement, etc. I would be interested in knowing what anyone might know about the movement, especially why it seemed to have such a short production run. Maybe Gruen thought the movement was redundant with the introduction of the Curvex?



Bruce, I did post my 'Model 219' here which has a 355(C) as well.
Re: Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement [message #2169 is a reply to message #2161] Sun, 17 November 2013 00:27 Go to previous message
brtime is currently offline  brtime
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Gruen Apprentice
Thojil wrote on Sat, 16 November 2013 16:23
brtime wrote on Sat, 16 November 2013 13:15
I did a search of "355" on this forum, and came up empty, even on the Caliber database. I would enjoy hearing comments from Forum members, and of course will update the template with more information if anyone knows who made the case, the movement, etc. I would be interested in knowing what anyone might know about the movement, especially why it seemed to have such a short production run. Maybe Gruen thought the movement was redundant with the introduction of the Curvex?



Bruce, I did post my 'Model 219' here which has a 355(C) as well.


Cool! Thank you.


Sincerely,

Bruce Shawkey
brtime
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