Well-known Gruen Vintage Watches Of 1930

The Techni-Quadron watches which were released in 1928 comprised of a rectangular face and were similar, to the Quadron. The top and the bottom dial were of similar big sizes, while the former consisted of the hour/minute, the latter consisted of the second hand.

The seconds dial on the Techni-Quadron watch was so big, so that it could be used to measure the pulse of a person and hence, these watches were known as "doctor's watches". However, the popularity of the watches also extended to the engineers and other technical professions. It is however useful to note that, all the dual Gruen watches were not doctor's watches. On a Techni-Quadron, in opposition to the centre, the dial consisting of the hours/minute hand is mounted at the end where the crown enters the case. A few of them also had buckles which could expand so that the watch could be slid up to the arm, which resulted in freeing of the hand and wrist.

The Carr, French for square, was released in 1931 and was a square-shaped pocket watch. Technically a diamond shape as the 12, 3, 6, and 9 dial numbers were in each of the 4 corners. It was marketed as both a man's pocket watch and a women's purse watch as well as portable table clock. Some models came with luminous hands and numbers to be seen in the dark. The Carr was discontinued in 1934 and started at $55 (~$1400 today).

The Curvex, released in 1935, was available as the Curvex Governor for men and the Curvex Queen (1936) for women. It is the most famous of the Gruen vintage watches and was the flagship watch until the late 1940s. The watch was produced until 1954.

The unique feature of the Curvex was not only that they were curved but more so that the movement inside was also curved. These watches used a patented movement (1,855,952) in which the gears were configured in a curved arrangement. Other curved watches of the 1930s had to use smaller movements that were less accurate and more fragile.

Each and every real men's Curvex watches were Precision grade and used any one of the four movements listed at the end. As a matter of fact, what makes these watches elite and Curvex, is the movement itself. The four movements which are possible to be used are; 1935- caliber 311 which is a long, thin movement; 1937- caliber 330- which is a long, thin and a curved movement; 1940- caliber 440- which is a short, square/oval movement and finally; 1948- caliber 370- which is a short and a wide movement (Curvametric).

The Ristside, pronounced wrist side, was released in 1937 and was meant to be worn on the side of your wrist inline with your thumb. Although these are widely desired by collectors they one of the rarest as Gruen did not sell many. Also some collectors will try to sell any watch with hinged lugs as a Ristside. With the exception of the Fraternity (mentioned below) and one other very similar model all Ristsides are rectangular and have very curved cases.

The watches that are considered to be a part of both, the Curvex and the Ristside family of Gruen vintage watches, are the Curvex-Ristside watches. The 330 movement; described as long, thin and curved movement in the above paragraphs; was used in the three types of watches; namely- The Curvex Coronet, Curvex Lord and the Curvex Admiral. The Curvex-Ristside Fraternity consisted of hinged lugs and used the 440 movement.