1902 English Waltham Solid Gold Blue Roman Numeral 15J

What an incredible offering. How about an English Waltham Trench Watch with a rare shadow box military dial from the famous Dennison watch case manufact...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world-famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. What an honor for Vintage Watch Corner. I will share one Actor name, Robert Di Niro. This offering would of been perfect for the movie, it was not available at the time of the movies filming. As of three weeks ago I was picked up for another movie that was originally made in 1936, they are doing a remake. I am supplying the watches for that movie. Everyone once and awhile I get a treasure. This offering is originates from 1918, yes, that is correct 1918. There are several distinct characteristics that make this a real treasure to collect, keep reading if you are curious. The watches size is the special attribute. It is very hard to find 6 size wrist watches from the WW1 / Trench watch era. A genuine Bold Military dial that has been professionally refinished to its original status; this is the highlight of this listing. Luminous material has been applied. Don’t wait! Very hard to find an original WW1 Dial! This offering is super hard to find. You could wait years before another one comes up for sale. Take close notes, save the pictures, it will be a long time before you see another one. NOTE: To have a 6 size with a genuine WW1 / Trench watch dial is extraordinary. They are very difficult to find. This is the first one in about 10 years! For collectors who are reading this listing, they know how hard it is to find one in pristine condition. Let alone one with a higher caliber movement, 15 Jewels. The case measures approximately 40MM, unheard of during this era! Very Very Rare! I have gently hand polished this case with Simichrome, it is a polish that does wonders for silver, nickel, oresilver, silveroid etc. This watch was serviced November 2023. It runs beautifully as of this listing., It has a new crystal installed as well, I finished the watch with a 18MM black “Buffalo” leather open ended Trench Watch band with a stainless-steel buckle to match the case Please keep in mind the watches that are 100+ years young do not keep time like modern watches. The do not have modern seals to acts a s a dust or moisture barrier. Look at the pictures to compare against another watch. One has to know a bit of background to understand Trench / Wire Lug watches History about Trench Watches What is a “Trench Watch”? They were created using 3/0 and 0 size and very rarely 6 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases (as described below) to house the movement. So, the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection. The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, Philadelphia, Fays etc and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900’s. The movements often came from women pocket watches because the wristwatch as we know was just being discovered. It is not uncommon to see various movements used in different cases, with various years. Remember the wristwatch was just being developed. They often have some of the following characteristics: Fixed or Wire Lug, some rare style have Swing Lugs: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today’s watches. Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver {925} / Nickel / Silverode or Gold Filled were used. {This case lid snaps snug on the case. This is important to note as many cases were badly damaged by their owners over the past 100 years. This watch case has been taken care of throughout its 100 years, it is in remarkable shape} *For more practical purposes, a special alloy was developed which went by several different names, such as, “Silveroid, Silverore, Silverode or Silverine. “Silveroid” appears to have become the standard name for this metal that consisted of 45% nickel, 54% copper and 1% manganese. This metal was fairly hard wearing and could withstand the rigors of everyday use, for instance on the Railroads. Case Manufactures: There were many case manufacturers that made cases for Trench Watches. Some of the more well know were: Dennison (English Manufacturer) Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more WW1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches. Grade: 295 Manufacturer: Elgin Manufacturer Location: Elgin, Illinois Movement Serial Number: 20427929 Grade: 295 Model: 2 Class: 115 Estimated Production Year: 1918 Run Quantity: 2,000 Total Production: 210,000 Size: 6 size Jewels: 15 Jewel Movement Configuration: Hunting Movement Finish: Nickel Movement Setting: Pendant Plate: 3/4 Plate Barrel: Going Train: Quick Regulator: Plain Hairspring: Breguet Escapement Type: Straight-line Adjusted: No Railroad Grade: No U.S. Patents: 77078 Data Research: 1904 Elgin...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. I have been an avid vintage watch collector...

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...

I have a shameless commercial plug for my shop. Many of my watches were used in the filming of an Epic Film due to be released in May 2023. The studio selected my shop due to the authentic restoration couple with the time period of 1919-1926. I will mention two actors who are in the upcoming movie, Leonardo Di Capra and Robert Di Nero… more to come. It was an honor and validated my shop for its authentic restoration practices. What a treat! Have you ever run across a “Wandering Second” WW1 / Trench watch. But……it is not your ordinary offering, look at the gold colored screws and gold-colored wheels. What a treat. This combination is very difficult to source in operating condition today, so many have abused as Father Time has passed us by. This is a 15-jewel movement, this was better than most that were 7 jewels, it was more reliable. This style is called a cushion for its shape which was popular in the early wrist watch era. The often-housed round dials with no seconds or a traditional second hand at six o’clock. Many of the WW1 wrist watches use 0 size movements, see below was size reference. 5/0s 26.25 mm 1.033 in 1 130 in 4/0s 27.09 mm 1.067 in 1 115 in 3/0s 27.94 mm 1.100 in 1 110 in 2/0s 28.79 mm 1.133 in 1 215 in 0s 29.63 mm 1.167 in 1 16 in I used the terms Trench Watch. What exactly is that? History about Trench Watches What is a “Trench Watch” ? They were created using 3-0 and 0 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases to house the movement. So the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection. The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900's. The movements often came from women pocket watches...

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