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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #19982 is a reply to message #19980] |
Thu, 06 November 2025 19:42   |
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JackW
Messages: 2092
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
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Gary wrote on Thu, 06 November 2025 07:33The chrono timer was made starting in 1947. They stopped making them shortly thereafter. Probably they couldn't compete with other chrono makers. Here is a good read.
Gruen published a series of parts catalogs that showed the movements. The cal 450 is shown in the catalog that is assumed to be from 1945. So it is possibly earlier than 1947. The first and only advertisement for the chrono-timer is from 1947. Scroll down the page and it is shown here at this link.
My personal opinion on why these were so short lived, as a production and sales item is related to the vertical clutch system to engage the chrono seconds. The design is pretty cool but having worked on a few of these now, the mechanism is susceptible to seizing should a watchmaker inadvertently lubricate the clutch. It should be dry. The lubrication will eventually gum up, especially the lubricants of the time in 1945-47 which were natural oils and greases (think whale). They degrade and become thicker. Even with synthetic oils, small amounts of dirt or even the high cohesion of oils will "lock" the clutch together and cause the chrono function to cease working and stopping the watch. My guess is that Gruen was immediately swamped by warranty service requests. Secondly, like what Gary suggested, there advent of high-quality column wheel chronos, like the Valjoux 23 or cam shift chronos like the Venus 188 were hard to compete with for reliability. Also the 450 is small compared to these other chronograph movements. Styles were changing.
All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me
"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
[Updated on: Thu, 06 November 2025 19:55] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20036 is a reply to message #19983] |
Sat, 22 November 2025 17:10 |
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Passion
Messages: 54
Registered: July 2025
Location: France
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Gary and JackW,
I just reviewed your very specific comments. Thank you for all this information.
It’s really very interesting this story about the Chrono-Timer! If I understood correctly, the Guildite Chrono-Timer (stainless steel... ;-)) was manufactured last.
So, the Chrono-Timer, shouldn’t there be a lot of products in 2 years?
And if a Chrono-Timer is missing a part (a needle or a winder), is it complicated to find?
Laurent.
A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for...
[Updated on: Sat, 22 November 2025 18:42] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20037 is a reply to message #20036] |
Sat, 22 November 2025 23:51 |
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JackW
Messages: 2092
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin |
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Parts related to the chronograph function are far and few between. There is an eBay seller that has the more difficult parts to locate but also wants $$$/€€€ for them.
However, I’m a firm believer in watching out for each other. If I see something you need or have something, I’ll speak up.
Hopefully Gary finishes his soon. I did have a part he was seeking but don’t yet know if it worked for him.
All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me
"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
[Updated on: Sat, 22 November 2025 23:52] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Gruen "Chrono-Timer" [message #20038 is a reply to message #20037] |
Sun, 23 November 2025 08:09 |
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Passion
Messages: 54
Registered: July 2025
Location: France
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Gruen Apprentice |
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Jack,
Thank you for this feedback.
I understood well that this Gruen "Chrono-Timer" is both:
- rare (few copies because produced for 2 or 3 years).
- can be reliable (when not in good hands).
- despite this, the parts can be found quite easily.
An avant-garde object during its release, with technology quickly outpaced by its competitors, quite rare, and of which 1 in 2 are very poorly maintained and therefore does not work...
It’s the kind of concept that attracts me, because it’s all that makes its beauty...
I will be curious to have Gary’s feedback ;-)
Happy Sunday.
A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for...
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