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Gruen Verithin Madretsch V3 [message #4594] Tue, 18 November 2014 00:12 Go to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario
Gruen Master
One for the pocket watch specialists! I believe this is actually a 17 jewel Precision V3 Madretsch movement circa 1910 if i'm reading Thojil's post over on the NAWCC site correctly. Vendor indicates that it runs well but he had a problem getting the stem to set in correctly. Jack has pointed out that this being a positive set stem & needs to be in a case to work properly. And there was a suggestion that the wheels, the setting for the center wheel jewel and possibly the dial are all solid gold but i cant confirm that until i actually receive the movement from the vendor.

index.php?t=getfile&id=1875&private=0
index.php?t=getfile&id=1876&private=0


Next step will be to find a nice case for this movement...





Still here....

[Updated on: Sun, 04 February 2018 21:07] by Moderator

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Re: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4596 is a reply to message #4594] Tue, 18 November 2014 22:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
mikey wrote on Tue, 18 November 2014 01:12
One for the pocket watch specialists! I believe this is actually a 17 jewel Precision V3 Madretsch movement circa 1910 if i'm reading Thojil's post over on the NAWCC site correctly. Vendor indicates that it runs well but he had a problem getting the stem to set in correctly. Jack has pointed out that this being a positive set stem & needs to be in a case to work properly. And there was a suggestion that the wheels, the setting for the center wheel jewel and possibly the dial are all solid gold but i cant confirm that until i actually receive the movement from the vendor.


Yes, this is what I belief to be an early V3. The design is different from the later V3 in a few areas, one of them being that this early version does not have the positive set stem as opposed to the later V1, V2, V3, and also V4 and V5. So if the stem doesn't fit there is something else wrong.

Also the click & click spring design is different and 'chronometer balance' is not mentioned. Visually I have not been able to spot any difference on the balance versus the later chronometer balance signed movements. But then I'm by no means a specialist in this area, so it may be a difference in the level of finishing not visible to the untrained eye.

The solid gold wheels and other parts are solid gold according to Gruen's own description in the 1916 Blue Book. I have confirmed it for at least the center wheel on one of my movements which has a few broken teeth.

You could be lucky with the dial, but these were not by definition solid gold.
Re: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4611 is a reply to message #4594] Tue, 25 November 2014 00:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario
Gruen Master
Got it today, seems to be winding & running fine but yes, setting the time is a problem. A pic of the top plate added:

index.php?t=getfile&id=1881&private=0





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Re: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4612 is a reply to message #4611] Tue, 25 November 2014 05:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JackW is currently offline  JackW
Messages: 1869
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
Gruen Authority
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With the dial off, you can check to see the operation of the stem. I might have been wrong about it needing to be in the case.

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: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4613 is a reply to message #4612] Tue, 25 November 2014 21:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
It seems all the parts are there. Check the teeth of the clutch. If there are one two broken that may cause the problem.
Re: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4614 is a reply to message #4613] Wed, 26 November 2014 00:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario
Gruen Master
No broken teeth but it didn't seem to want to drop down far enough to engage the wheel. I tightened the screws (2 were loose - the spring screw & the shipper? arm screw) and while its not perfect, it now solidly clicks into place and turns the hands properly.

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[Updated on: Wed, 26 November 2014 00:31]

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Re: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4649 is a reply to message #4614] Fri, 28 November 2014 03:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mikey is currently offline  mikey
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2013
Location: Paris, Ontario
Gruen Master
Next 'job' will be trying to find a reasonably priced nice case to fit this movement into....

Still here....
Re: Gruen Madretsch pocket watch movement [message #4651 is a reply to message #4649] Fri, 28 November 2014 13:03 Go to previous message
Thojil is currently offline  Thojil
Messages: 650
Registered: May 2013
Location: Concorès, France
Gruen Master
That won't be easy is my experience. If you're not too bothered about having it in a Gruen signed case it will be easier.
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