Vintage Gruen: 1930's » Caliber 400

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Caliber 400 [message #3498]

Sat, 05 April 2014 04:15

koskid
Messages: 37
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco

Gruen Apprentice

Picked up a Caliber 400 in a 305 case with Flex-Let bracelet today. Nice watch, but running a little slow after cleaning.

Model name : Sportsman
Type :
Period/date :1938 +/-
Gender : Gents

Case Maker : ?
Case Material : 10K GF/Gruen Guildite Base Metal
Case Serial : 2722099
Case Style no : 305

Caliber : 400
Movement Maker : GXC - Swiss
Movement Serial: 4-41660

Bracelet : Flex-Let

Other info : Very good condition Very Happy

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00685_zpsbab1ee1a.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00684_zps869d5d27.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00675_zpsf1d283f7.jpg

[Updated on: Sun, 06 April 2014 13:30]

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Re: Caliber 400 [message #3500 is a reply to message #3498]

Sat, 05 April 2014 15:44

Gary
Messages: 2222
Registered: May 2013
Location: Seattle

Gruen Authority
Cheerleader

Koskid, I would say this watch looks very much like a "Sportsman" found in this advertisement.

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Re: Caliber 400 [message #3501 is a reply to message #3500]

Sat, 05 April 2014 17:30

koskid
Messages: 37
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco

Gruen Apprentice

That looks pretty close...dial is a little different...maybe mine has had a dial refinish sometime long ago.

More pics of the movement.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00691_zps3cb755ed.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00695_zps10ce2ab2.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00697_zpsb33c5e93.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00699_zps7126d1d1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00701_zps8c2b38cf.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/koskid/DSC00702_zpse9ba3b13.jpg

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Re: Caliber 400 [message #3502 is a reply to message #3501]

Sat, 05 April 2014 21:53

JackW
Messages: 2017
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver

Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
Site Admin

I'd posit that the dial is original. Switzerland is still in the correct position below the 6. The watch over-all looks to be in pretty decent shape. Quite nice! I'd say Sportsman is spot on!

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

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Re: Caliber 400 [message #3504 is a reply to message #3502]

Sat, 05 April 2014 22:42

MikeTheWatchGuy
Messages: 319
Registered: May 2013
Location: North Carolina

Gruen Guildsman

Nice watch. Totally agree with Sportsman ID.

It is also in the Gruen ID Guide Volume 2, page 66.

And, if you really want to get all you can on it, another verification can be found in The 1930's page 171. "Handsome, Stylish and accurate"

While there are differing opinions on the use of the dial in advertising, all of 3 these have the same dial with one illustration being in black and white that was not directly published by Gruen. Regardless, I think your dial was restored at some point in its lifetime. The font on the word Gruen looks fat to the point that the 3 lines of the E almost blend together. The subseconds track looks too black in a way. I can't describe what I mean on that one.

I'm not knocking a nice looking 1930's Gruen. Just looking things over objectively as this is a database entry that documents a model. Were signed crowns in use in '38? I believe they were. Is there a date we know of that they started using them?

It also can't be much earlier than 1938 as there was another Sportsman sold in 1935 and 1936.

I believe your movement number is 4-41660. Can you verify and perhaps enter it too?

I like it. The case is in good condition, nothing I can see that isn't nice. Replace the crystal and buff it up and you'll have a really nice 1930's Gruen.

[Updated on: Sat, 05 April 2014 22:44]

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Re: Caliber 400 [message #3506 is a reply to message #3504]

Sun, 06 April 2014 13:33

koskid
Messages: 37
Registered: March 2014
Location: San Francisco

Gruen Apprentice

I updated the database.

Thanks for all the help guys!

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