Any idea what this Gruen model is?

[Bassplayer]

Another of my modest collection is this Gruen. I have precious little information on it. Can anyone tell me the model name and approximate year of manufacture, please?

Very grateful to you all. Thanks.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2875/gruen7102.jpghttp://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6704/gruen7101.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7359/gruen7105.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7359/gruen7105.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2849/gruen7106.jpg

[Ray MacDonald]

We have some Gruen experts who'll know more, but I'd guess late 1940s maybe 1950.
Gruen records do not exist any more so an educated guess is the best we can do, sadly.

[Erik_H]

Gruen 415?

http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Gruen_415

http://www.ranfft.de/bidfun/katb/2uswk/Gruen_415.jpg

[JohnF]

Hi -

Erik_H nailed the movement down nicely. It is a 415 hand-wind.

One of the Gruen designs is characterized by a sunken crown, i.e. the crown doesn't stick out much. You've got one of these.

I'd date this towards the early to mid 1960s, one of their upper-level models with hidden lugs. Fairly fancy for the time period. Is the case solid gold?

Gruen didn't give their watches names, unfortunately, like Hamilton did. And as Ray pointed out, there are no reliable records. What is the serial number on the movement?

JohnF

[pacifichrono]

Most Gruen watches didn't have model names. I checked the Shugart guide but couldn't find this example.

[Bassplayer]

Thank you for your help, guys. Above and beyond the call of duty.

JohnF - the watch isn't with me at the moment. I'll get the serial number for you when I return from holiday.

many thanks.
dave.

[MikeTheWatchGuy]

Sadly, the serial number Da Vinci code for Gruens has yet to be cracked. There are many different formats for the serial numbers. Each caliber seems to be unique in how they're used. I am, however, attempting to figure this all out, so I'm constantly looking for serial numbers and their corresponding caliber. If you have any to donate to the cause (data that is but if you want to send a watch that's cool by me), would be appreciated.

The caliber USUALLY will at least give you the start of production date. The Gruen Master Book has a table at the beginning that shows the start of production for each of the movements. The best way of identifying is to find an advertisement that shows the watch. I haven't been able to find your watch in the ads I have, but my collection doesn't go beyond 1952. The 415 is one of the few movements that has a "?" in the caliber/date table in the book. I did find your watch in the Master Book, on page 91. The only additional data I received from the book is that it came in 14K YGF, but you probably already know that from the case.

I believe Gruen replaced the movements of this size with ebauche movements beginning as early as the mid-50's. So, I would put your watch around there rather than later into the 60's.

I am not sure of the forum rules of posting site URLs promoting a site :-x, but I've got a Gruen fan site that you may find some Gruen folks in that could help out. If you google -- Gruen wristwatches fans, you should have no trouble figuring out which site it is. ;-) You'll also find the caliber date table posted there as I received permission from the author to post it there. Perhaps you'll find it useful for dating other Gruens.

Plenty of Gruen experts in the NAWCC should you really want to broadcase your request on their message board.

In addition to being long-winded, I also hope I was helpful. Obviously a Gruen fan....

[JohnF]

Hi -

MikeTheWatchGuy, thanks for your post! Most informative! Oh, and welcome to WUS as well...especially the vintages forum. :-)

I'm a Gruen fan as well. Got around 20 of them...

JohnF

[Roland Ranfft]

Hi there,

in deed, the American market asked later for a shock device than the
European. But the delay wasn't remarkable. Even the U.S. made Gruen
movements got an Incabloc in the early fifties, and I suspect that a
quality watch without shock device wasn't sellable even in the U.S.A.
after 1955.

Regards

[eldarinn]

The inside side of the case back may give valuable information, such as if the movement and case were meant to be together or one is a later addition; Although the case does look very 60s as JohnF probably assumed, I support Roland Ranfft's and MikeTheWatchGuy's suggestions of the MOVEMENT originating from the late 40s rather than 60s.

So this movement, being fairly standard in size, could have been recased in a later made case; As I said, the numbers on the case can tell.