The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue @ 45th Street, Dec 04, 2002

LOT 596

The Priceless Posession of a Few.Gruen, 50th Anniversary, No. 271, made in 1924.Exceptionally fine, Art Deco, 14K yellow gold and enamel, keyless, 23-jewel watch with a solid gold engraved movement. Accompanied by an original leather covered fitted box.

USD 7,500 - 10,000

C. Three-piece, patented pentagonal-shaped, bezels in champlevé black enamel forming geometrical pattern, back with initials "PDS" in matching enamel, band and bezel's corners engraved with floral pattern. D. Two-tone silver, applied gold Arabic numerals on matted ground, outer dot minute track, polished center, pressed sunk sub-seconds with champlevé black enamel track. Gold "Trifoil" hands.M. 17''' (37mm), 12K solid gold hand engraved bridge caliber, back plate damascened in circular pattern under the dial, 23 extra quality ruby jewels and two diamond cap jewel, "all 8 adjustments", straight line lever escapement, double roller table with triangular roller jewel, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature and mean time screws, friction staff, blued steel Breguet balance spring, micrometric regulator, gilt beveled going train wheels.Signed on dial, case and movement.Diam. 46mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

As American companies fought against each other to produce the best watch in the 1910's ands 1920's, this watch was the ultimate winner. Depending on the case, the price ranged from $500 to $2000. A total of six hundred were made, one for each month of the company's existence.The movement of this watch is superbly finished to 12K rose gold and weighs almost an ounce. The watch features two intermediate setting wheels, the one engaging the minute wheel is fully jeweled, and the entire escapement is mounted on a separate circular plate in the Lange (or Assmann) tradition. The watch was sold directly by Fred Gruen from the factory. His customer list included Howard Hughes, General Lincoln C. Andrews, Admiral W.S. Benson, James Cox - governor of Ohio, Senator Richard P.rnst, and many more.