Gruen 1940s

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Just picked this up for $77.00. I do have a thing for Gruen, round, and black faced watches. The thing that really struck me about this particular watch is that the movement is marked with "germany" and very little else. I was struck by how tidy the movement is.

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The trade mark on the movement in the Gruen appears to belong the the firm H Becker. According to Mikrolisk, Becker was established as a watch case manufacturer in Pforzheim, Germany, in 1921. They began manufacturing watch movements in 1955. If these facts pertain to your Gruen, then it would appear as though it could have been made no earlier than the mid 1950s. As early as the 1940s, the majority of movements used in Gruen watches were made by Gruen, or Aegler. By the mid 1950s, Gruen sold out, and largely stopped manufacturing movements. Thereafter, movements from other manufacturers (Swiss & German) were used. Given the style of the Gruen, and the fact that Becker began manufacturing Watch movements in the mid 1950s, my guess is that your Gruen is more likely from the mid 1960s.
 
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Gruen can sometimes be strange.
This is my grandfather’s, I believe from the 50’s.
It has a cal. 625 - I can’t for the life of me find any info on it!
It’s not signed Swiss or German or anything. The movement or dial.

 
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Apparently, you’ve had a look at the movement. It might be helpful if you were to add a picture of the movement to this thread.
 
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I picked this one up a couple years ago as it was a bit of an oddity. 460SS bumper movement which dates to 1945-. Dial and hands are similar to yours

 
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Apparently, you’ve had a look at the movement. It might be helpful if you were to add a picture of the movement to this thread.
Yeah I’m at work, watch is at home and I can’t find any pics on my phone. I will post it soon
 
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These little Gruens are cool. I got one recently myself. Beautiful waffle dial and cal. 462 puts mine in the 40s too I believe. My first and only bumper.

 
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These little Gruens are cool. I got one recently myself. Beautiful waffle dial and cal. 462 puts mine in the 40s too I believe. My first and only bumper.


Really nice example. I would have guessed later than 40s, but who knows with Gruen.
 
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Really nice example. I would have guessed later than 40s, but who knows with Gruen.
Thanks, yours is very nice as well. What size is that one? Mine does have an unfortunate stain on the dial at 8 o'clock but it hides at certain angles and lighting. I think you're right about the date. I had 40s in my head because the Gruenwristwatches.com Caliber Date Table has the first year of production for the 460s as 1947. Ranfft says circa 1950's for the 462. So actual production of my watch was probably later. I haven't done much research on Gruen but I always like the ones I see pop up.
 
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I know they are not real popular these days, but I do like the smaller watches. I have accumulated three Gruens so far. Cincinnati, near me, was the home of Gruen in America. I think I am going to keep going with them.

This one, a 335, made in Cincinnati, came in the mail today. It has kept up with my Geneve for the last 6 hours. I am hopeful. 😀 Kind of ugly. I am going to send it to watchmaker with the Geneve and the 1904 Elgin later this week.

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Best

Wayne
 
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Apparently, you’ve had a look at the movement. It might be helpful if you were to add a picture of the movement to this thread.
Horrible picture, I know. Cal. 625 which I find very odd but
 
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I do not have a caliper. It is exactly as long as my geneve from lug end to lug end; about 70% as wide as the Geneve. 😀

I am going to have to buy a caliper.

Best,

Wayne
 
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34.5mm
Nice. Mine is 32 and it wears like it. I would welcome another 2.5mm.
 
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The “Switzerland” on the dial is usually the tell of a pre-‘53 Gruen- prior to the family selling the company

 
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This is a Gruen from probably the late 1950s with a German made Durowe automatic winders.