The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

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

LOT 597

Dietrich Gruen, Cincinnati, Ohio and Bienne, Switzerland, No. 42056, sold to Frank Shellhouse of Indianapolis on August 4, 1919.Very fine and extremely rare, platinum and gold, keyless, minute-repeating watch. Accompanied by a Gruen leather-covered box and original certificate.

USD 7,500 - 10,000

Sold: USD 8,625

C. Four-body, platinum back and bezel, yellow gold band and gold-hinged cuvette, No. 272422, polished with yellow gold initial "S" on the back. D. Silver, letters "SHELLHOUSE" for the numerals, outer minute ring, recessed sub-seconds. Gold "Cathedral" hands. M. 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.Diam. 47 mm.


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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

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.