Deitrich Gruen, a German Immigrant founded the Columbus watch Co. in 1874 as soon as he received his Patent on an Improved Safety Pinion. His first watches using this patent were made for him by a Madretsch, Switzerland Watch Maker who shipped them to Columbus to be finished and sold as Columbus Watch Co. Watches.

Mr. Gruen finished and timed the first few thousand of these by hand himself, adding help as it was needed. Given the 1874 manufacturing date, these Swiss made watches were far advanced for their time but sadly the logistics forced Gruen & Co. to go "All-American" in the later production which were devolved into the full plate type designs made by the "Big Guys".

So this became (for Gruen) a "tale of two cities" . . .

Sadly, the Price Guide fails to even begin to honor Gruen's efforts with any respect at all for these first movements, or those later full plate movements all of which are of the highest fit, finish and rarity. The Madretsch, Switzerland watch in an original and beautifully kept case is the first example . . .

In discussion with the owner of this SERIAL# 880 beauty, our very own member Dennis McCann, he comments (about this and another he has as well);

"I think it is very likely that Dietrich Gruen himself finished and adjusted the two movements, because they are so early (definitely made in their first year's production after Gruen went into partnership with Savage) and I don't think they had any other skilled watchmakers working for them at that time. These two watches were made about five years before Gruen & Savage found investors to incorporate the business and buy stock. I think the two watches were made within a week or two of each other, but there are slight differences."

I must add only that this used the very new (1860s design) Breguet Hairspring and "Anchor" escapement allowing a perfect "in-line" timing oscillator for near 0 Hysteresis time cycle error. In addition the Jeweling is "full" for that period and the fit and finish applied by Gruen is exceptional! It still runs trains NOW!

It is time the P.G. understands that $150.00 would only fetch one of these on a cold day in Hades

By 1882 Gruen and Savage began to manufacture watches locally in the "Full Plate" design familiar to the market and American Watch Makers alike. This beautiful example named "North Star" with a Hand signed and finished dial is a fine example of these new US-made series . . .

Gruen still saw to it that these new designs contained features unlike their competition of that period. The most obvious was the plate design that allowed removal of the motor cover and mainspring barrel without disturbing the Balance wheel. This greatly improved the service of Mainsprings without endangering the critical timing adjustments of the escapement system. Fortunately Gruen was able to continue the breakthrough technology of the in line Anchor escapement system which surpassed the Pallet Lever system used by Waltham and others. . .

Of course these "later" Gruen Columbus watches are devalued even more in the P.G. It is my sincere hope that we can evolve a newer and more comprehensive COLLECTOR's guide soon. Roy Ehrhardt, you were off to such a great start! Come back, we need your help.

Many thanks to Dennis McCann for making these two beauties available (so I could give them some TLC) for this "rant".

very interesting, thanks for the show and tell.

Curly

Dave, thanks for the nice presentation and narrative. Great photos! Keep singing high praises for these Columbus watches and I might recover my investment some day!

As you mentioned, I have another Swiss Columbus at home, serial #859, which is in great shape but unfortunately needing a case. I figure #859 and #880 must have been benchmates at one time. Before the company built a factory around 1882, it was reported that they produced ten watches a day.

As always, Dave, your expertise and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated - - - and never undervalued by the rest of us here on IHC185.

Dennis

Dave,
Thanks! Now I can add yet another brand to consider for a collection.

Evan