Internet Horology Club 185
Gruen Verithin Pocket watch help needed
August 22, 2008, 01:21
Ernie LogaGruen Verithin Pocket watch help needed
I recently aquired an Gruen Verithing Precision Pocket watch, size 12, 17 jewel with serial number 4-230555.
Can anyone tell me the production date?
September 01, 2008, 17:14
Ernie LogaIt appears that either no one has this information or there is no information available.
I would just like to know about what decade this watch was made? Thanks!
September 01, 2008, 17:31
John WoolseyHi Ernie,
Is there any chance of posting any photo's, it would help enormously if you could.
Even when serial number data isn't often available, and it looks like this may be the case here, a lot of info can be gleaned from bridge, escapement and regulator styles etc.
Best regards
John
September 01, 2008, 22:58
Ernie LogaI will try to post a photo. My camera is terrible so I try to scan it. sometimes it comes out good but other times it doesn't. Thanks for an answer. I was beginning to think I was invisible. Ernie
September 01, 2008, 23:07
Ernie LogaHere is a scan of my Gruen pocket watch.
September 02, 2008, 15:57
John WoolseyErnie, I know very little about Gruen watches, and not enough to make an informed opinion on your watch unfortunately.
By doing some 'Googling' I came up with the information that all company records of movement serial numbers were lost in a fire in the 1940's, so I reckon any chance of an accurate date for your watch will come from the efforts of a private researcher.
From what I've read though, I'd pitch the era of your watch somewhere in the first 2 decades of 1900, but I could be way off.
The 'Verithin' was introduced in 1903/4, so at least that gives a start point.
You may have seen this site, but for anyone who hasn't, it's a good history of the Gruen company.
http://www.pixelp.com/gruen/Can anyone else help here please?
Best regards
John
September 02, 2008, 16:43
Ernie LogaHi John:
Thanks for your effort. I researched that site and read everything they had published. The serial number of my watch has a hyphen between the first number and the rest of the number. I am wondering if the hyphin makes a difference in reading the date in the chart. Did the earliwer Gruens have a hyphin in serial number?
September 02, 2008, 17:03
John WoolseyI don't know about the hyphen at all Ernie, but I did find another Verithin during my web prowls which has a '2' and a hyphen - this was dated to approx 1933, so seems it probably does have a bearing.
http://www.trocadero.com/consignments/items/807313/item807313.htmlI think the hyphenated serials may have come about following the limited edition runs of their aniversary watch in which the second run used up the 50 remaining movements of the first series.
Best regards
John
September 03, 2008, 00:04
Ernie LogaThanks John. I can't be sure but from what I have also been gathering and my gut reaction I think my watch couldpossibly be dated in the late 1930-to early 1940's. Does anyone else have a best guess? Ernie
April 07, 2009, 01:35
Bill MandersErnie,
This is a long time from your original post, but I also have a Gruen veri-thin serial # 4-151492 precision 17j.
The only info i have on this is it is inscribed with a name and he worked at The Western Cloth Shade Co. from 1920-1945, so I imagine the watch would be fom the 1945 era.
Bill
April 07, 2009, 01:47
Bill MandersHere is the dial of this Gruen
April 07, 2009, 01:47
Bill Mandersthe movement, ser# 4-151492 17j precision
April 07, 2009, 01:49
Bill Mandersinscription on case.
If anyone has any info on the date of manufacture, etc., or the name on the case. I can't find anything on the name or the company.
Thanks, Bill
April 07, 2009, 06:59
Gerald ZimmermannWestern Shade Cloth Company Chicago 1915
Gerald
April 07, 2009, 07:10
Gerald Zimmermann'The Auburn Citizen, May 12, 1926'
Regards Gerald
April 07, 2009, 08:39
Tom BrownI can not find much on a Frederick Agonath, only that there was one born Dec 30, 1904 in Illinois & died Dec. 1973 in Brookfield Illinois & he was married to Alice E. Delaby who died in 1990
Tom
April 07, 2009, 10:07
Ernie LogaBill:
Our watches are ver similar. I agree thay had to be from around 1945. Our serial numbers 79,063 apart. If they numbered then sequentially mine would be later than yours. Thanks for posting.
Here is a photo of my dial. The aribic numbers are close but they used slightly different fonts. Look at the number "7".
April 07, 2009, 10:10
Ernie LogaThe movements are also a little different. It looks that yours was gilded. Mine appears to be stainless or at least silver in color. It has the look and color of stainless.
April 07, 2009, 10:25
Ernie LogaInside my case back it reads, "Gruen, Veri-Thin, cased and timed in USA by The Gruen Watch Co., Keystone 10K gold filled. 385-819
April 07, 2009, 10:41
Bill MandersThanks all for all the info, I don't know how you do it Tom. The dates you have for Agonath probably line up well with the watch.
Ernie, my case is basically marked the same only in a wadsworth case. I also have the original felt lined box with the one I have. I am saying this actually prior to receiving my watch yet, but will be here shortly.
Thanks again,
Bill
April 07, 2009, 10:58
Jerry KingBill, please post the case number from your Gruen watch.... you stated it was a Wadsworth....
Thanks,
Regrds,
Jerry
April 07, 2009, 11:29
Bill MandersHi Jerry,
The case is marked Gruen Veri-Thin,cased and timed U.S.A Gruen Watch Co. Wadsworth 10k filled
G562876
Hope this helps,
Bill