leewmeister
March 31st, 2007, 01:07
The Gruen Swiss GSM014 is a very nice watch considering it only cost me $27 shipped. In fact, this might be one of the biggest bargains in my collection. Swiss made ETA 2824 automatic movement in a Chinese SS case. The watch really does justice to Agent Orange's superb photos.
The fit and finish are fine with everything lining up properly and no rough edges. Reasonable weight for a dress watch at about 2.5 ounces or 69 grams including strap. The faux-croc leather strap could be a bit more supple but it will break in after some wrist time. The deployant clasp is a nice bonus.
The dial is a deep blue while the layout is very simple giving it a dressy look. The waffled oval center pattern is nicely understated. I haven't checked the lume, but that really isn't an important feature for me. The whole gold/SS/blue/tan combo is working quite well with the light yellow shirt I happened to wear today. I suspect the highly polished goldtone bezel will be pretty unforgiving for hair line scratches. It is a nice comfortable size at ~45mm lug to lug and 34 mm wide excluding crown; 18mm lug width.
The movement is marked "Swiss made" and reportedly really is made and assembled in Switzerland. From what I can see through the caseback window, the mechanics are identical to my Tissot Seastar's. The weight swings very freely and the second hand has a clean, smooth sweep. It hacks and can be hand wound. Non-screw down crown with a 100M water resistance rating.
About the only thing I don't like so far is the "GRUEN" name hacked into the case side a la Invicta.
There are a lot of these out on e-bay and I guarantee you'll be a happy WIS if you can nab one for $30-$40 shipped.
I'll reprise Agent Orange's magnificent pics:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen2.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen6.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen4.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/GaryLittle/Gruen/Gruen7.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen5.jpg
The fit and finish are fine with everything lining up properly and no rough edges. Reasonable weight for a dress watch at about 2.5 ounces or 69 grams including strap. The faux-croc leather strap could be a bit more supple but it will break in after some wrist time. The deployant clasp is a nice bonus.
The dial is a deep blue while the layout is very simple giving it a dressy look. The waffled oval center pattern is nicely understated. I haven't checked the lume, but that really isn't an important feature for me. The whole gold/SS/blue/tan combo is working quite well with the light yellow shirt I happened to wear today. I suspect the highly polished goldtone bezel will be pretty unforgiving for hair line scratches. It is a nice comfortable size at ~45mm lug to lug and 34 mm wide excluding crown; 18mm lug width.
The movement is marked "Swiss made" and reportedly really is made and assembled in Switzerland. From what I can see through the caseback window, the mechanics are identical to my Tissot Seastar's. The weight swings very freely and the second hand has a clean, smooth sweep. It hacks and can be hand wound. Non-screw down crown with a 100M water resistance rating.
About the only thing I don't like so far is the "GRUEN" name hacked into the case side a la Invicta.
There are a lot of these out on e-bay and I guarantee you'll be a happy WIS if you can nab one for $30-$40 shipped.
I'll reprise Agent Orange's magnificent pics:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen2.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen6.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen4.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/GaryLittle/Gruen/Gruen7.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/leewmeister/Gruen/Gruen5.jpg