1930s Illinois Guardian, 17J, Rotating Disc, Art Deco! restored

This the first time I have offered this model of Gruen. I have one in my personal collection, it has never been offered for sale. No is your chance. Talk about the epitome of Art Deco. This is the personification of a “Happy” time for the US. This model is very hard to source. Don’t wait too long. It took me almost a year to source all correct replacement parts This is a conversation starter. This is a jealously watch. Think about this, this is close to 100 years young, look at the condition; it is superb for its age I stumbled across this watch and had to have it. When was the last time you saw a Gruen Quadron with Gold Plated caliber 123 movement This watch is in amazing condition. I have several of these and I have had to have the lugs worked on as they had worn thin over the decades. There is some light scratching on the case, but you would be hard pressed to find wear through. Now think about this. This offering is almost 100 years old. It looks incredible, it has survived some wear through decades of wear. Please think that this is not in perfect shape. I must admit it is in amazing condition, but I have to remind myself it has a few miles on her. What you are looking at is a seldom seen Gruen Quadron caliber 123, 17 Jewel (the preferred Quadron movement as the Caliber 157 is only 15 jewels) in remarkable shape. This is pure Art Deco. I have two, so I am thinning the collection to obtain another historical marvel from the past. This is 14 karat yellow gold filled, or as Gruen calls Reinforced gold. Look at the pictures as they will fill in the blank spots of the condition of the watch. L In its grandeur years from the 1920s through the 1940s, the Gruen Watch Company was one of the leaders in wristwatch innovation, quality, and design. Gruen even worked in partnership with Rolex earlier in the years. Original Dial and Hands were professionally refinished ( as I am aware of) Case was hand polished Comprehensive mechanical service Custom 16MM black band Prior to WWII, Gruen was better known in the USA than Rolex, which at that time was focusing on the British and Commonwealth countries. In 1925, Gruen introduced the men's Quadron. Similar in concept to the women's Cartouche models, these were rectangular watches containing very high-quality 15-j or 17-j tonneau-shaped movements. A larger movement is generally more reliable and accurate, and is generally more rugged, than a smaller one of the same quality, so the Gruen Cartouche and Quadron, with their case-filling, purpose-built movements performed much better than the small, round movements used by most of their competitors at the time. Round movements were still used in the less expensive rectangular Gruen wristwatches...

The Illinois watch company has long been considered the greatest American Watch Company that had an early demise to management and the great depression. The made some of the best movements of their day. One word describes this watch: “Ritz” ! A very hard watch to source is the condition that you see it. Use some of the pictures as part of your visual description. Inspired by the discovery of King Tut's Tomb" - The "Egyptian" One of the most collectible Illinois wristwatches and one of the most dramatic silhouettes available in the Deco Period: the Illinois Ritz. This is an extraordinary timepiece, an original Illinois Ritz wristwatch dated from 1932, still during the great depression. If you are looking for something rare, something that needs no introduction. This is the quintessential art deco survivor, unique, a lovely story and such character. It is a manual-winding watch 6/0s size, 17 jewels movement, grade 607, sub second hand, made in Springfield, Illinois. After +90 years, it still has a stunning professionally refinished dial with bold Egyptian numbers, bold minute marks and matching hands. The second hand is located at 6 and the dial is signed "ILLINOIS" as well. From "The Decorative Period", this watch has tonneau stepped case, a modified hexagon. It is two-toned 14k gold filled. It is coming with a vintage Champion...

The Illinois watch company has long been considered the greatest American Watch Company that had an early demise to management and the great depression. The made some of the best movements of their day. One word describes this watch: “Ritz” ! A very hard watch to source is the condition that you see it. Use some of the pictures as part of your visual description. Inspired by the discovery of King Tut's Tomb" - The "Egyptian" One of the most collectible Illinois wristwatches and one of the most dramatic silhouettes available in the Deco Period: the Illinois Ritz. This is an extraordinary timepiece, an original Illinois Ritz wristwatch dated from 1932, still during the great depression. If you are looking for something rare, something that needs no introduction. This is the quintessential art deco survivor, unique, a lovely story and such character. It is a manual-winding watch 6/0s size, 17 jewels movement, grade 607, sub second hand, made in Springfield, Illinois. After +90 years, it still has a stunning professionally refinished dial with bold Egyptian numbers, bold minute marks and matching hands. The second hand is located at 6 and the dial is signed "ILLINOIS" as well. From "The Decorative Period", this watch has tonneau stepped case, a modified hexagon. It is two-toned 14k gold filled. It is coming with a vintage Champion...

What an incredible offering. How about an English Waltham Trench Watch with a rare shadow box military dial from the famous Dennison watch case manufact...

In my watch restoration and personal collecting I have a soft spot for the Gruen Quadron series. Introduced in the mid 1920’s their engineering was revolutionary because their movements were rectangular flat and small. This allowed Gruen to introduce chronometer timing with their 15 and 17 and in later years 21 jeweled movements. Use thwe close up pictures to help you discern the collective quality. This is a real gem. Close 1to 100 years young. Perhaps the watch was worn by Benjamin Buttons. Hmm, what does that mean? What the movie. Did you know that prior to WWII, Gruen was better known in the USA than Rolex, which at that time was concentrating on the British and Commonwealth countries. Hans Wilsdorf ( Rolex founder)and Gruen were friends and neighbors in Switzerland (their manufacturing facilities were across the street from one another), and even agreed to market their watches as Rolex Gruen in Europe, but the Great Depression prevented this. When one thinks of “Art Deco” one cannot ignore Gruen and its Quadron line. This collection that Gruen introduced in the mid 1920’s have instantly become a cult classic. I for one have over a dozen Quadrons models. They were at the time of their introduction and engineering masterpiece. Read on: This is the epitome of Art Deco, the Roaring 20’s. Gruen was considered revolutionary when it designed this movement, it went on to spawn a Quadron line that had multiple calibers associated with in. A little Gruen History: In years from the 1920s through the 1940s, the Gruen Watch Company of USA & Switzerland was one of the leaders in wristwatch design and quality, even working together with Rolex. In 1925, Gruen introduced the men's Quadron. Similar in concept to the women's Cartouche models, these were rectangular watches containing very high-quality 15-Jewel or 17-Jewel tonneau-shaped movements. A larger movement is generally more reliable and accurate, and is generally more rugged, than a smaller one of the same quality, so the Gruen Cartouche and Quadron, with their case-filling, purpose-built movements performed much better than the small, round movements used by most of their competitors at the time. Round movements were still used in the less expensive rectangular Gruen wristwatches...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. This would of been a perfect watch style for the film. Gruen "Quadron Model 63" Men's Art Deco design wristwatch in 14K yellow gold fill, circa 1930. This Quadron model has a large stepped case with a recessed crown. It was priced at $52.50 in 1930. It is in excellent condition showing only a few tiny specks of brassing to the bezel corners and a little to the tips of the lugs. The case back is excellent and unengaged, it does have a tiny flea bite. Dial is very good. Case measures 38mm long and 24mm wide. The watch is powered by its correct 15-jewel Gruen grade 157 Quadron manual wind movement, just serviced and running strong. In years from the 1920s through the 1940s, the Gruen Watch Company of USA & Switzerland was one of the leaders in wristwatch design and quality, even working together with Rolex. In 1925, Gruen introduced the men's Quadron. Similar in concept to the women's Cartouche models, these were rectangular watches containing very high-quality 15-j or 17-j tonneau-shaped movements. A larger movement is generally more reliable and accurate, and is generally more rugged, than a smaller one of the same quality, so the Gruen Cartouche and Quadron, with their case-filling, purpose-built movements performed much better than the small, round movements used by most of their competitors at the time. Round movements were still used in the less expensive rectangular Gruen wristwatches...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Illinois Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Commodore / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 27mm Length X 34mm Width MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber 605 DIAL / HANDS: Silver Dial with Art Deco Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Illinois Watch Company was one of America's famous old houses. The company was sold to Hamilton in the late 1920's so this watch was produced after the sale. We seldom get Illinois wrist watches...

Art Deco Diamond Wristwatch. Circa 1930. Total length: approx. 17.70 centimeters. Total width: approx. 0.80 centimeters. Case dimensions:...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Illinois Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSION...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve and Company San Francisco STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Glass, Gilt and Nickel METAL / MATERIAL: CIRCA / YEAR: D...

Great Art Deco geometric styling and colour, can't be confused with any other era can they? Condition is great with very mid signs of usage. Originating from England and ideal for an...

Fabulous pair of matching Art Deco men’s cufflinks with a great geometric pattern. Silver toned metal with red enamel decoration and dating to the 1930's make this links very distinc...