1930' s Gruen Rose Gold Filled Curvex, Stunning "Curvature." 17 Jewels

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. This would of been a perfect watch style for the film. Gruen "Quadron Model 63" Men's Art Deco design wristwatch in 14K yellow gold fill, circa 1930. This Quadron model has a large stepped case with a recessed crown. It was priced at $52.50 in 1930. It is in excellent condition showing only a few tiny specks of brassing to the bezel corners and a little to the tips of the lugs. The case back is excellent and unengaged, it does have a tiny flea bite. Dial is very good. Case measures 38mm long and 24mm wide. The watch is powered by its correct 15-jewel Gruen grade 157 Quadron manual wind movement, just serviced and running strong. In years from the 1920s through the 1940s, the Gruen Watch Company of USA & Switzerland was one of the leaders in wristwatch design and quality, even working together with Rolex. 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...

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 t...

Welcome to Vintage Watch Corner. First a PSA (Public Service Announcement) Vintage Watch Corner was selected as the Vintage watch source to supply “period” watches (1918-1926) for a major motion picture. This picture is being filmed in Oklahoma as we speak. It is a validation of the authenticity of my restorations. What a great looking Elgin. This watch is from the late 1930’s, It is Elgin’s answer to the “waterproof” watch. The crystal has a gasket between the case and crystal, the case back has a gasket between the movement retainer ring and the case back, that by the way threads on. I love the oversized crown; it adds a distinguished look to a “functional watch. This watch was targeted for the outdoors person who wanted a watch that could withstand the elements, hence multiple gaskets and oversized crown. I love the two tone dial. It has a golden minute...

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...

I have another treasure for your consideration. It is one of the first Gruen Curvex models introduced in the mid 1930’s. Let me introduce you to the Gruen Curvex “ Batwing”. A highly collectible model Let me share a little history of the sublime watch offering. Keep in mind that it is 85 years young. This watch is in extraordinary condition, something that Vintage Watch Corner...

Let me introduce you to the Hamilton Square B Engraved! It is a mouthful! This 14 karat white gold filled Art Deco beauty was made for approximately 2 years, a very short run. Who is the Hamilton Watch Company, read below! Think Art Deco, think Roaring 20's, think the birth of a wrist watch, that's is where this watch is placed in historical context Hamilton Watch Company, What a story! Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and began producing pocket watches. From the very beginning, the focus was on quality and accuracy, and these principles had made Hamilton a...

Circa 1939 Gruen Curvex Majesty Wrist Watch, 52 M.M. extreme curved Yellow Gold Filled 2 Piece case. Caliber 330 Manual wind movement, original silvered d...

This is an original condition 1940's Gruen Curvex Tank watch with a 10K gold filled case. This is one of the larger size Curvex models with a case measuring 22mm x 40mm lug to lug. ...

Gruen Curvex Year of Production: 1941 10k Gold filled case, approximately 39 mm in length, approximately 23.8 mm in width (excluding crown) Thickness 9.8 mm Rug width: 16mm The crown winds and sets smoothly Strap Material: New genuine black leather strap Dial Color: Silver, good conditions, with 18k gold applied numerals. Movement: Cal.440 Curvex Manual winding Crystal: Original clean high dome curved crystal Quite good general conditions In its glory years from the 1920s through the 1960s, the Gruen Watch Company of USA & Switzerland was one of the leaders in wristwatch design and quality, even collaborating with Rolex from...

Gruen Curvex Year of Production: 1942 10k Gold filled case, approximately 36 mm in length, approximately 25 mm in width (excluding crown) Thickness 9.8 mm Rug width: 16mm The crown winds and sets smoothly Strap Material: New genuine brown leather strap Dial Color: champagne dial good conditions, with luminous numerals. Movement: Cal.440 Curvex Manual winding Crystal: Original clean high dome curved crystal Quite good general conditions In its glory years from the 1920s through the 1960s, the Gruen Watch Company of USA & Switzerland was one of the leaders in wristwatch design and quality, even collaborating with Rolex from...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 449 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 22mm...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Baron / Curvex Series METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's /50's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 42mm Length X 23mm W...