Gruen

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 705 METAL / MATERIAL: 10Kt Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Diameter 22m...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 460SS-733 METAL / MATERIAL: Two-Tone Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SI...

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...

Diamond set wristwatch by Gruen, American, circa 1935. A platinum and iridium wristwatch with rectangular white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and blue hands, encircled by a ...

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...

uckle up, this this the first time I have offered this model of Gruen. I have never offered an “European” Gruen Quadron. I am a Gruen Quadron “Fanatic” as reflected in my listings. I probably have 7-10 Gruen Quadron’s. To me they stand for an engineering victory in the mid 1920’s. Remember wrist watches were really an unknown fashion accessory back then, especially for men Gruen had a early collaboration with Hans Wildorf, one of the founders of Rolex. Their factories in Switzerland were across the street from one another. You see, it’s the history particularly early on that intrigues me. Here is your history lesson. The insider case back reads Gruen / Alpina. These two companies in Europe collaborated on many projects including in infamous “Doctors Watch. This is another example of this collaboration What a treasure. If you are a serious collector, especially from the Gruen side, this is a must have. This watch case has fixed wire lugs. Yes, not spring bars. That is why I had to source open ended watch bands. Caliber 175 Not only the beautiful surface finishing on all sides, but also the one-piece milled yoke and the fact it has an intermediate setting wheel are indications this is a high grade movement. My feeling is that it could have been produced by Marc Favre Co., Biel. Reason for that is Gruen was also sourcing their 157 and 165/167 Quadron calibers from M. Favre and the escape design is the same or very similar to caliber 157 (but maybe not unique to M. Favre?). Another point is I was able to carry over the detent screw from a 165 which was broken on my 175. I tried detent screws from many different Gruen calibers, but none of them fitted, the detent screw of the 165 was literally identical to the one on the 175. Also the set bridge design of caliber 165 resembles the design of this 175. I can confirm that caliber 175 is Marc Favre made, it is even their caliber number. Seems to have been only used in Alpina-Gruen watches, a better quality movement. Alpina Gruen was started in 1929 and the collaboration started to cool down in 1933. So most Alpina-Gruens are dated between 1929 and 1933. But do not forget that for the Alpina-Gruen watches different rules apply. These were intended to be sold in Europe and here European trademarks rules applied. The case maker not necessarily stamped Guildite in the back even also when watches for the US from the same time had the mark already. Completed NOS Crystal Professionally refinished dial Professionally refinished case Comprehensive mechanical service (May of 24) New custom made open ended black watch band Buttero leather Look at the pictures. The watch is in sublime condition. The case was refinished by a European Watch Maker, he did a magnificent job! Look how clean this movement is, no pitting or etching anywhere, a testament to its historical care 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 is are and 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 acquired this timepiece from Germany, the DNA from Gruen of Europe, this is not a stateside import. This was born and sold in Germany or Europe 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...

Buckle up, this this the first time I have offered this model of Gruen. I have never offered an “European” Gruen Quadron. I am a Gruen Quadron “Fanatic” as reflected in my listings. I probably have 7-10 Gruen Quadron’s. To me they stand for an engineering victory in the mid 1920’s. Remember wrist watches were really an unknown fashion accessory back then, especially for men. While this caliber movement was born in 1935 in Europe, it is pure European. I sourced this watch from Germany. I love the interconnected history, it’s not often when you can trace a watch back to its origins. In the US, this is a real treasure to own. Thus is a watch that a serious collector would most likely know its history, to a casual observer, it would not get a mention. Gruen had a early collaboration with Hans Wildorf, one of the founders of Rolex. Their factories in Switzerland were across the street from one another. You see, it’s the history particularly early on that intrigues me. Here is your history lesson. The insider case back reads Gilde. These two companies in Europe collaborated on many projects including in infamous “Doctors Watch. This caliber 485 has the same shape ( barrel) as the Quadron collection. Now compare the picture that shows the caliber 484 with the caliber 157, almost identical. This model is in fact a German Gruen Quadron. The caliber 485 was first introduced in 1935 in Europe. Movement Maker was Gruen/Alpina (Straub) What a treasure. If you are a serious collector, especially from the Gruen side, this is a must have. This watch case has fixed wire lugs. Yes, not spring bars. That is why I had to source open ended watch bands. see the picture. The first set of calibers that you have listed are examples of what I consider the "classic" Quadron movements. These are all 8 3/4"' x 12"' movements, and all have the barrel shape. You should add the later calibers 485, 487, 679, 680, 681 and 682. See below for the well known Quadron caliber movements. Completed NOS Crystal Professionally refinished dial Professionally refinished case Comprehensive mechanical service (May of 24) New custom made open ended black watch band Buttero leather Look at the pictures. The watch is in sublime condition. The case was refinished by a European Watch Maker, he did a magnificent job! Look how clean this movement is, no pitting or etching anywhere, a testament to its historical care 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 is are and 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 acquired this timepiece from Germany, the DNA from Gruen of Europe, this is not a stateside import. This was born and sold in Germany or Europe 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...

A vintage find and in its original condition, enjoy this circa 1940's Pan American Wrist Watch with Veri Thin movement developed and manufactured by Gruen Watch Co. An American base...