Every once in a while I see a nice Gruen advertised.
I am into Rockford, Illinois, and Elgin's.
Is the Gruen really a collectable? What about parts?

I surprised no one has replied to this one yet, Patrick. Gruen is a really odd company, so to speak. There are as many rabid Gruen collectors as there are Hamilton/Elgin/Rockford fans, but they are at a disadvantage. Like Hampden, the Gruen records essentially disappeared when the company folded, so there's a lot of guesswork on dating the watches.

That said, yes, they're great watches, and worthy of collecting. I know the wrist watches are just about everywhere, but as to parts for the pocket watches, that's a question I can't answer. They're as varied as the wristies, and have all kinds of interesting variations.

I have a single 12s 1920's circa 15j Gruen in my collection, one 1940's 17j wrist watch, and one of the updated 2003 reincarnations of the company product with a 2824-2 ETA movement under the hood...a 'Gruen' in name only, but a part of the Gruen history just the same.

The Gruen company was one of the companies that was interested in making a movement as thin as possble so their models were marked 'Veri-Thin', or, as in my watch example, 'Semi-Thin', so there's a lot of different models and types to pick and choose from.

So, to that group of Gruen collectors, your question is as much a 'fighting question' as asking the same of a Ball or Rockford collector. Of COURSE they're collectable! They're great time keepers too!

You can also find a LOT of advertisements related to the company in antique stores. I picked up a little Golden Book from the 1940's Tha taught kids how to tell time. Inside it has a paper watch dial and moveable hands so kids can practice what they read, with the same dial on the cover of the book....and the watch and dial is clearly marked 'Gruen'.

There's a lot of neat things to discover if you go down the Gruen collecting path, and for the most part VERY affordable, though some of the curved cased wrist watch models are up there in the range of the good Hamilton watches.

My answer is 'yes'.

Regards! Mark

Hi Patrick. I would agree with Marks view on the Gruen. (I suspect he knows a lot more about them). I have had several over the years. Mostly wrist W. They made some very nice and unusual cases with quality movements. They seem to fly under the radar so to speak so you can often buy them at reasonable prices. Downside is that when you want to sell you have a much smaller market. So if you are a buy, fix, flip sort of guy it means working on a smaller margin but if you are buying to hold and enjoy a nice watch go for it. Regards, John

I only know what I've read in my research, John.

...and well said, John. Collect them for collecting sake. Unless you can find a group of Gruen collectors who deal with specific models, you're going to be disappointed if you plan on flipping them for resale/profit after restoration.

They're great timepieces and worthy of collecting and carrying, and you find them absolutely everywhere you look, but they're just not in the same collecting range as the bigger watch makers. Sad, really.

Regards! Mark

The book I have about the history of Dietrich Gruen and Sons tells a story of a man who began his quest in the early 1870's when he first timed, finished and sold fine Swiss built watches under the "Columbus" Watch Company name. Soon, possibly due to his investor's impatience Gruen actually (for the only time in his career) manufactured and sold US-Made Columbus named movements.

Then Mr. Gruen left the Columbus Watch Co. and it is my understanding that he wasted no time networking (again) Swiss-made watches trademarked; "DG&S[ons]" (see below example of one that passed through my collection) through a New York Jeweler.

Soon, Gruen formed the Gruen Watch Co. in Columbus, Ohio where he oversaw importing fine Swiss movements, timing and casing them for sales under his own name in North America. After Dietrich's passing, his sons managed the Gruen Watch Co. until the late 1930's.

So that gives you three distinct periods where Gruen influenced and/or named Pocket and Wrist timepieces were sold in North America, many in solid gold gases and all eminently collectible.

Regarding parts, my recommendation is to stick with collecting unbroken watches. The many variants of Gruen named watches gives spare parts the generic definition I call "Unobtainium".

I have had a few interesting Gruens come and go in my wristwatch collection. Folks who like the little 1940s/early 1950s watches will find plenty.

The Curvex is probably to me the most collectible from an horology standpoint because of the movement design/layout.

Interesting is that there seems to be a lot of Gruen advertising material. They did a lot of big 15 inch electric wall clocks with jeweller names and "Gruen Watch Time" on the dial. Nice wallhanger if that stuff appeals.

I have a set of paper Gruen coasters with the company crest, found at a flea market.

There are mass numbers of broken Gruens everywhere, but not much demand for repairs, I guess, so it is a matter of luck on parts inventory, depends on the watchmaker. My guy is a bit of a hoarder.

Nick

Patrick, here is a Gruen starter watch for you.

Babe Ruth's 1923 World series Gruen

When I lived in Michigan (93-99) a neighbor, 4 to 5 houses down was a big pocketwatch collector and he collected Gruens, had 2 50th anniversery Gruens (incredible pocket watch)a Dudley or two along with as many Veritas, Sangamos, 950's that you could shake a stick at.

I think from what I saw the quality is fantastic, the eye candy look is as good as it gets (look at a 50th) and yes they are well worth collecting.

WOW !!! Thanks for all the information, pictures and help..

Gruen made a few movements for Rolex back in the day.

I will assume that if Rolex accepted Gruen's craftsmanship they must have been a close tolerance company with quality work. Thanks Billy.