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Art Deco Gruen "Quadron" Caliber 123, 17J, Stunning Survivor

Name: Art Deco Gruen "Quadron" Caliber 123, 17J, Stunning Survivor
Brand: Gruen
Price: 1040 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

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. According to their advertising, Gruen submitted a consecutive run of 200 ordinary Quadron movements for observatory chronometer tests in Switzerland. There was not a category for wristwatches in 1925, so they were tested to pocket watch standards. Each of the 200 were granted a certificate for timekeeping excellence, which Fred Gruen believed to be a record at the time. These were the earliest American wristwatches to qualify as serious timekeeping instruments on par with a pocket watch. The efforts of companies like Gruen during this era helped change the public's negative attitude towards men's wristwatches. Think of the Chrysler building when you think of this watch. It is all Art Deco! Look at the vertical lines of the case, a true vintage timepiece from Gruen, a page from yesteryear, a men's Quadron the 1930’s. The movement is the famous caliber 123 and is gold plated, an extra touch not often seen of the Quadron Collection The case back displays all the proper numbers and identification marks. The inside case back has 123 (caliber) and 108 stamped, Notice the Gruen manufacturing stamps as well. This amazing rare fully made over measures 41mm lug to lug and 22mm in width. The case measures approximately 35 MM without the lugs. It winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time. I do not know when it was last serviced. The 157 was a lower cost alternative to the premium 117, 119 and 123 calibers, with 15 jewels and a less complex barrel and winding mechanism. It's also the most frequently seen of the Quadron's and was apparently quite popular in its day. They were in production from 1926 through at least 1932. This 123 is special because of the gold plate and 17 Jewel. Below is a list of Quadron movements 157 117 119 123 325 3251

Creator:

Gruen

Case Material:

Gold-filled

Strap Material:

Leather

Case Shape:

Rectangle

Movement:

Case Dimensions:

Width: 0.86 in (21.65 mm)Diameter: 1.42 in (36 mm)

Style:

Art Deco

Place of Origin:

Switzerland

Period:

1930-1939

Date of Manufacture:

1930s

Condition:

Repaired: Comprehensive mechanical service Professional dial and hand restoration Case hand restored. Polished. Replacements made: NOS Crystal New 16MM black band. Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

Raleigh, NC

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU3149222882742

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