| Author | Message | ||
     cary Rating: |
After another frustrating week of watching the name "Curvex" being mis-applied, I decided to post a brief outline of the things that make a curved watch a genuine Curvex. 1. No matter what the shape of the watch, "Curvex" was a trademarked name of the Gruen Watch Co., and it applies to the movement, not the watch. Therefore, only certain Gruens are true Curvexes. 2. In mens watches, the true Curvex calibers are 311, 330, 440 and 370. The word "Curvex" is usually, but not always, imprinted on the ratchet wheel. The 370, which was the last Curvex, was also known as the Curve-a-metric. All Curvex movements are 17 jewels. Ladies Curvexes use either caliber 520 or 350. 3. Curvexes were cased in either gold-filled, or solid 14k cases. They were made in yellow, pink, and white versions, and the movement caliber is stamped in the case back. There was one Stainless Curvex, and one or two cased in platinum. Several case styles were used for both Curvex and Veri-thin models, so let the numbers in the case back determine authenticity. To my knowledge, there were no stainless back/ gold-filled top cases used for Curvexes. This was used for less expensive curved watches. When shopping for a Curvex, remember that dials can be refinished or swapped around, so ask about the caliber of the movement and the case numbers. Many fake Curvexes are out there, and a seller might not know that what he has is not authentic. | ||
| Richard Sexton Rating: N/A |
Technically you are quite correct, but the term "curvex" is used so frequently *in commercial use* that Gruen IMHO is in serious danger of having their trademark fall into the public domain by their not policing the trademark. This is what happened with "Nylon". Originally it was tademarked, it fell into general use and the trademark was revoked.A quick scan of the US Patent and Trademark Office website (http://www.uspto.gov) shows that Gruen (whatever Gruen is today!) still has an active trademark on "curvex" and that Frank Mueller applied for same and was denied. While I respect the Gruens, and only the Gruens have curved movements, I prefer the Bulova "curvexes". They just seem like cleaner more elegant designs to me. It seems that during that time period (30's-40's) everybody (Waltham, Hamilton, Bulova, Gruen, Longines, Omega...) made tall narrow watches with curved backs although I have a handmade gold case (purported to be) from 1900 that's the same shape without the curved back; it seems clear Gruens innovation was the stepped/curved movement, not the case design. | ||
| Paul Cerio New member Username: Pcerio Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
When shopping for a genuine Curvex, be very wary of watches on eBay. Many sellers claim that it's an original dial, when it's obviously not. If they'd lie about the dial, what else will the lie about? Stick with reputable watch dealers; I'm hoping one of these days Cary will have his own online shop. |
