GRUEN Watch Company
One of the most important and prestigious American watch manufacturers! Gruen watch company was an American watch company founded in 1874 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA by German-born watchmaker Dietrich Gruen. "On December 22, 1874, Gruen obtained a patent for an improved safety pinion, and it is the date recognized by the Gruen Watch Company as the start of its business."
In 1894, Dietrich, along with his eldest son, Frederick G. Gruen, started as “D. Gruen & Son” and years later, the second son George J., joined the firm and the name was changed to “D. Gruen & Sons”.
The company quickly became a major player in the American watch industry, prove of that, one of the company's most significant contributions to the watchmaking industry, the Gruen Precision movement. Introduced in the 1930s, it was a highly accurate and reliable movement that quickly gained a reputation for excellence.
The Gruen Precision movement was an improvement over earlier Gruen movements and incorporated several new features, including a Breguet hairspring, a micrometer regulator, and a higher beat rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The movement was also designed to be more shock-resistant and durable than previous Gruen movements.
They were used in a range of watches, including both men's and women's models. It was particularly popular in chronograph watches, which required a high level of accuracy and precision.
Dietrich Gruen died suddenly in 1911. To honor him, Fred and George put their father’s name on the company’s most expensive watches. Fred Gruen retired in 1940 and died in 1945, and his brother George died in 1952. The American-based family-owned Gruen Watch Company closed in 1953 when the Gruen family sold their interest in the company.
Over the years, other companies have sold watches under the Gruen name, but the original company ceased to exist in 1958. Gruen watches were still made in Switzerland until 1976. Today, the name Gruen is licensed to M.Z. Berger and Company, which continues to produce replicas of classic Gruen watches under the Gruen name.
Today, vintage Gruen watches with the Precision movement are highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. These watches are prized for their historical significance, as well as their craftsmanship and reliability.
Gruen Precision
17 Jewels
Ladies Watch
Swiss Made
This is a vintage ladies Gruen Precision cocktail wristwatch, dated from 1950's. It is a manual wind watch powered by an original Gruen mechanical movement, caliber 258R, 17 jewels, unadjusted, Swiss made.
Cased in an elegant 14.8mm square case, 10K rolled gold plated bezel and stainless steel back. Original Gruen signed crown.
Silver tone sunburst dial with silver/black sticks hour marks and silver matching hands. Also, the dial is signed with the Gruen Precision top and 17 Jewels on the bottom.
It comes on a silver tone Mesh bracelet, 10K white gold filled. It will fit a wrist up to 6 1/2" (16.5 cm).
After 70 years, this watch is a perfect collector's item, it is in good condition! Runs very well, keeps good time!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any question, or respectful offers.
Movement:
Gruen Watch Co.
Seventeen 17 Jewels
Unadjusted
Swiss
Cal. 258R
Case Back Signed:
Cased and Timed in U.S.A.
By GRUEN Watch Co.
348A
563109
GRUEN
10K R.G.P. Bezel
Stainless Steel Back
Measurements (mm):
Case 14.8
Case w/Crown 16.5
Case Lug to Lug 14.8
Case Thickness 7.3
Lug/Band Width 9.3
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust lighting when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
WA-0739
