Community Stories

Gruen Bar Harbor - Ultra Cool See Through Case

X350 XJR
Posts
13,483
Likes
31,779
Ca 1955.

This one has a black and silver gilt dial. I have yet to see one with an in tact blue dial as noted in the ads below. I have another one which was blue but has faded to gold, there are traces of the original blue on the sides of the dial.

An oddity about the Gruen caliber 362 is that the hands set clockwise when turning the crown clockwise, try that with most anything else!

Enjoy.

IMG_5201.jpg IMG_5199.jpg IMG_5216.jpg IMG_5215.jpg IMG_5211.jpg IMG_5210.jpg gruen ad 1955.jpg Gruen Bar Harbor.png Screen Shot 2020-06-07 at 4.02.45 PM.png
Edited:
 
JimInOz
Posts
17,984
Likes
37,577
Interesting design, quite radical for the time I reckon. And in stainless when most watches were in gold of some type.

X350 XJR X350 XJR
.................................

An oddity about the Gruen caliber 362 is that the hands set clockwise when turning the crown clockwise, try that with most anything else!

I have a Rodania that sets clockwise/clockwise, don't know the caliber so I'll have to check it out later.

P1030660.JPG P1030661.JPG
 
JimInOz
Posts
17,984
Likes
37,577
🙁

Nothing exotic in there, just an 11.5''' Schild movement.

AS1950.JPG


Caliber data courtesy Dr Roland Ranfft.

Screen Shot 2020-06-08 at 11.13.46 AM.png
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,211
Likes
27,547
“One of the new stainless steel and lucite watches everyone is taking about”

I’m guessing that was just in the room they designed this piece in. I’m not saying it’s ugly... I’ve just never seen a wrist watch like that. I’ve seen a few different pocket watches.

as for backwards setting I have 2 or 3 that are like that.
 
queriver
Posts
1,301
Likes
2,575
Love it. The first thing that came to mind was a flying saucer might have been the inspiration. If it was mine the streamlined space-age look would be a bit lost by my hairy wrist though.
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,998
This is similar to the Ernst Borel watches that were very popular- particularly the kaleidoscope cocktail watches. I think the peak for the larger mens Borel watches were during the later 60’s so this is much earlier.
 
pIoNeErOfThEnILe
Posts
1,099
Likes
1,083
X350 XJR X350 XJR
Ca 1955.

This one has a black and silver gilt dial. I have yet to see one with an in tact blue dial as noted in the ads below. I have another one which was blue but has faded to gold, there are traces of the original blue on the sides of the dial.

An oddity about the Gruen caliber 362 is that the hands set clockwise when turning the crown clockwise, try that with most anything else!

Enjoy.

IMG_5201.jpg IMG_5199.jpg IMG_5216.jpg IMG_5215.jpg IMG_5211.jpg IMG_5210.jpg gruen ad 1955.jpg Gruen Bar Harbor.png Screen Shot 2020-06-07 at 4.02.45 PM.png

that is very cool.
 
Tony C.
Posts
8,115
Likes
28,604
Very cool! Thanks for posting.
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
X350 XJR X350 XJR
An oddity about the Gruen caliber 362 is that the hands set clockwise when turning the crown clockwise, try that with most anything else!

Not unusual at all. I just tested some in my accumulation, a Hamilton, a Waltham, a Gruen, an Omega, they all do that.

I recall someone here posted that a person who bought one of his watches accused him of shenanigans because an Omega being sold set that way. Clearly it's based on the design of the movement and not something a person could change easily, if at all.

Attractive watch, looks nice.
 
Stripey
Posts
572
Likes
754
I love it. I wish Gruen were still around, or that it was easier to identify references.
 
amcclell
Posts
1,534
Likes
3,239
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
This is similar to the Ernst Borel watches that were very popular- particularly the kaleidoscope cocktail watches. I think the peak for the larger mens Borel watches were during the later 60’s so this is much earlier.
I was into my local jewelry shop this week and they had a pair of them (his and hers).
20200519_124025.jpg 20200519_124010.jpg
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,998
amcclell amcclell
I was into my local jewelry shop this week and they had a pair of them (his and hers).
20200519_124025.jpg 20200519_124010.jpg
And did you buy them? I got one for my lady and she loves it!
 
amcclell
Posts
1,534
Likes
3,239
I have already spent my allowance this month. I looked at them, checked prices on ebay and they were priced a bit high for me.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Meme-Dweller

112ST1589 Genuine OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Exhibition Sapphire See-Through Caseback Stainless Steel Moonwatch 1861 1863

Meme-Dweller Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
Meme-Dweller
Meme-Dweller
Posts
4
Views
3K
illition

Does anyone make see-through casebacks for Vintage Omegas?

illition Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
connieseamaster
connieseamaster
Posts
22
Views
16K