Antiquorum Auctioneers since 1974

Geneva, May 10, 2026

LOT 378

DIETRICH GRUEN, SWITZERLAND, MINUTE REPEATER, EXTRA QUALITY MOVEMENT POCKET WATCH, PLATINUM AND YELLOW GOLD

CHF 7,000 - 13,000

HKD 70,000 - 130,000 / USD 8,900 - 16,500 / EUR 7,600 - 14,100 / JPY 1,420,000 - 2,620,000

TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

Sold: CHF 6,250

A very fine and extremely rare, platinum and gold, manual wind open-face, keyless minute-repeating pocket watch. Platinum back and bezel, yellow gold band, and gold hinged cuvette. Silver dial with gold “SHELLHOUSE” numerals, outer minute divisions, and subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock. Gold Cathedral hands.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-11

Good

Slightly worn
Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Brand Dietrich Gruen, Switzerland

Year sold to Frank Shellhouse of Indianapolis on August 4, 1919

Movement No. 42056

Case No. 272422

Caliber 39 mm, nickel, bridge caliber, 31 jewels, adjustments, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, spring-and-screw micrometric regulator, repeating on gongs through activatng slide in the band.Signed on dial, case and movement.

Diameter 46,6 mm.

Weight 79 gr.

Signature Dial, case and movement

Accessories Accompanied by a Gruen leather-covered box and original certificate.

Notes

Polished case back with yellow gold initial "S"

This is the famous minute-repeating watch by Gruen, documented by Gene Fuller in his book, "Priceless Possession of a Few". The fact that the original certificate has survived is remarkable; it provides the date of the watch and indicates how it was sold, which in this case was by Gruen representative, Carl Prost in Indianapolis.The watch is also remarkable on the account that it is two-tone, combining platinum and yellow gold.




Frank Shellhouse (1863–1942)

Frank Shellhouse was an American entrepreneur based in Indianapolis, recognized for his contributions to the development of modern storage facilities in the early twentieth century.

He began his career in the railroad industry with the Pennsylvania Railroad, gaining valuable experience in transportation and logistics. In 1901, he established his own storage and transfer business in Indianapolis.

Around 1910–1911, Shellhouse constructed one of Indiana’s first fireproof warehouse buildings, an innovative structure designed to protect goods from fire and theft at a time when such risks were significant.

In addition to his business activities, he was active in civic and heritage organizations, notably serving as a national commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Today, Shellhouse is remembered as a forward-thinking businessman who helped shape early twentieth-century storage and logistics infrastructure.