| Quadron 139 with Caliber 355 movement [message #2156] |
Sat, 16 November 2013 12:15  |
brtime
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2013
Location: Wisconsin
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Gruen Apprentice |
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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
Sincerely,
Bruce Shawkey
brtime
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