All about Gruen

[Dietrich]

I think this watch dates from the time when Gruen tried to expand to Europe, which has been the start of the Alpina collaboration. This was meant as a two way deal but it did not fly here in Europe. Mich too expensive to import the watches from the US, the same watch from either Germany or Switzerland was probably half the cost and quality was not worse. As far as I know all started in 1926 and in 1928/29 it was clear that this would not fly. These cases must be from that period.
Remember the photo of the Alpina meeting in Berlin with Fred 1929? -> http://www.gruenwristwatches.com/1929-g ... eeting.php
This was about the end of Gruen watches crossing the ocean eastbound...

[Fred]

I guess that would be from Alpina/Gruen time.

And I never knew that the maker (Gruen) stamped it.

[Mr. Bieser]

Very rare casemark here, American case... "Swiss Cross"?

And a rare "D. Gruen & Sons" stamp on case. Carries 63019.

[Fred]

yeah--both rare! Could that second one be before they took over QC? Also, on the first, I believe I've seen the movement in that case at some point, but I would now very much like to dig it up & take another look.

[Mr. Bieser]

Movement here:

[Fred]

And a rare "D. Gruen & Sons" stamp on case. Carries 63019.

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by markings, this case will be later, but 1895-1896 references for Queen City come to mind. One from October 1895, but again at December 1896.

[Mr. Bieser]

QC supplying "compact cases" and "special cases" sounds like it could possibly be for the 1895 thin model.
The transition from Son to Sons on house gold line is between 30535 (Son) and 30760 (Sons).

[Jason]

Hi all! I've been meaning to post more and I think this is something that will pique some interest. Here's an Alpina Gruen I picked up recently from a fellow in Germany. Have you ever seen so many hallmarks? I'll note that the case says 117 but the movement is marked 157. It doesn't feel like this would be a later swap but rather a matter of getting wires crossed in the beginning.

Inside caseback

Dial

Movement

[Fred]

Thanks, Jason! You know, the first thing I thought of when I saw that caseback was a page in a passport. Jam packed, the most I’ve seen.

Don’t think you have to worry about a movement swap. Only 157 would actually fit that case. Interesting that 117/64 was the original Bieser type Quadron style pair, but didn’t look like this. I’ve never seen an OS-64 US case or a -64 style case that would even fit a 157. As always, a great piece!

[Mr. Bieser]

I agree, likely not a swap- for solid reason cited, not to mention precedent, we've seen it countless times before where the calibre number is marked for the intro caliber but models have a later related caliber.
For sure rare, never seen an OS64 stamp.
Huguenin has to be one of my favorite Swiss silver suppliers, not one but two stamps for them! Seems the dial with the inside the numbers track is also unusual. Is there anything resembling this in import section of catalog?
Thanks for sharing it's really nice!