Gruen Octathin case was first in U.S. of the Octagon form.

[artbissell]

1232771232781918 Gruen catalog featured the Octagon case as staying in vertical position in pocket as a time accuracy advantage as they advertised for the later 1922 patented Pentagon. Gruen first to use the octagon in U.S. Wadsworth made many of these for Gruen, Elgin, Waltham. In 1918 called Octathin, but many made after the Gruen Pentagon design by Wadsworth were not. Gruen also had 10 side case as well as the popular 8 side. Just bought a 1918 fancy Octathin gold case for about scrap value. Not well photographed. Seller photos indicate a possibly nice one. It is the 18k one in catalog with yellow and white metal with the Gruen decorative initial engraving typical of the pre 1920s.

[Jerry Treiman]

Beautiful watch, Art, but Waltham had an octagonal Opera Watch as early as 1914 or 1915.

[artbissell]

Jerry: I read what I wrote from 1918 Gruen catalog. Written was that a first octagon case was European 123301from around 1600. That Gruen introduced as a U.S. first but not written was when by Gruen. Maybe about same time as Waltham. Here a ~1925 decagon by Wadsworth.

[artbissell]

123464Noticed NAWCC Gruen family collection includes a decagon from 1905.

[artbissell]

123508123509123510123513 Surprised to discover the fine movement not marked Dietrich Gruen in the Octathin -like case. Still not sure of age and superb case maker. Guessing near 1915 in Wadsworth case marked Gruen but does have W. mark for either Wadsworth or white gold. This is a significantly nice Gruen. May be made before 1915 start of Dietrich Gruen models. May disclose in servicing who maker was for these that are not made by Gruen or supplier Aeby. Other than for the 50th have not seen a nicer leather display case. Catalog page is from my 1918 book. The ultra-thin is not the octathin shown in 1918 book.

[artbissell]

123543123544Was this early Ultrathin made before they started 1915 to mark them as Dietrich Gruens? I now have both. Believe the 150k D.G. is 1915+. 148k U.T. not marked D.G. maybe 1915.

[artbissell]

123724
123543123544Was this early Ultrathin made before they started 1915 to mark them as Dietrich Gruens? I now have both. Believe the 150k D.G. is 1915+. 148k U.T. not marked D.G. maybe 1915.


3/11.

Have definitely identified with original Wadsworth made Gruen case number 1,026,xxx the 148k U.T. was from about 1919. The D.T. 150k is 1920+. So U.T. not marked D.T. available at same time as the identical D.T.

This info also confirms a 50th Gruen prototype movement 140k was from about 1915 later engraved and gold plated.