Gruen 50th or Fiftieth grade differences?

[artbissell]

Finally this long term Gruen collector got a top grade Fiftieth. I have 5 different examples of these Gruen specials that were offered originally in 1924 as special orders but took 30+ years to sell. Here is a 14k special order 79 50th and a platinum Swiss made case 176 Fiftieth probably from their NYC custom shop but not owner name engraved. 79 is USA Gruen made and other is Swiss Gruen made or ordered case. artbissell

 

[artbissell]

The Swiss made cases were marked patent pending long after the American 1922 patent for pentagon form. After Gruen quit U.S. case production? So this platinum one would be a very late seller. Near new condition. Here a different style patent pending marked Swiss made pentagon. Art

 

[artbissell]

This serial 70 14k has same dial and marking as the platinum. Fred Gruen gift 1925. The platinum has the Swiss made case not available then. So it was an American Gruen made to help sell surplus movements? Seems unlikely with its apprpriate original scarce box. Perhaps a cancelled special order? Any one know when Swiss made Gruen cases were first available? Art

 

[artbissell]

Found that Gruen quit case making 1935, but Gruen Swiss sourced cases were available and used for 1925+ special orders. So this autograph free platinum Gruen is legitimate. 176 serial number is actually 246. Boring excersize here fortunately not yet responded to still open for any corrections. Art

 

[artbissell]

Notice other platinum Gruen pentagons in photos have blue hands with platinum bow. The gold hands and bow here add a little luxury detail to the possibly pure dull platinum that may be without the usual 10% iridium brightener .

 

[artbissell]

Notice other platinum Gruen pentagons in photos have blue hands with platinum bow. The gold hands and bow here add a little luxury detail to the possibly pure dull platinum that may be without the usual 10% iridium brightener .

View attachment 468830 View attachment 468831 View attachment 468832 View attachment 468833

This wrongly dated 2o

Notice other platinum Gruen pentagons in photos have blue hands with platinum bow. The gold hands and bow here add a little luxury detail to the possibly pure dull platinum that may be without the usual 10% iridium brightener .

View attachment 468830 View attachment 468831 View attachment 468832 View attachment 468833

This wrongly 2018 dated file was done 2020. Not posted?

 

[thesnark17]

Swiss cases for the Gruen watches were available from the very beginning of their Madretsch manufacturing. They were mostly special order custom cases (for US sale), though some Gruens were sold in Europe and those ones were not special order or custom.

Most of those very early cases that survive to the present were in silver. Some in highly unusual shapes, such as the cushion triangle and oval.

So Swiss custom cases for some of the 50th Anniversary watches should not be considered unusual, as long as the case is special. If it looks "normal", then it may be a recase.

Nearly all of Gruen's platinum PW cases were from Switzerland. Ditto for those with diamonds and other jewels inset.

 

[artbissell]

Swiss cases for the Gruen watches were available from the very beginning of their Madretsch manufacturing. They were mostly special order custom cases (for US sale), though some Gruens were sold in Europe and those ones were not special order or custom.

Most of those very early cases that survive to the present were in silver. Some in highly unusual shapes, such as the cushion triangle and oval.

So Swiss custom cases for some of the 50th Anniversary watches should not be considered unusual, as long as the case is special. If it looks "normal", then it may be a recase.

Nearly all of Gruen's platinum PW cases were from Switzerland. Ditto for those with diamonds and other jewels inset.

Very good information appreciated. Your guess of quantity of special order platinum 50th ? art b.