| Author | Message | ||
     Crpthird New member Username: Crpthird Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
Watch review request: Case back is marked Gruen 10k gold filled. Dial says Gruen Curvex Precision Switzerland. Model number unknown. Band is marked 1/20 10K GF top and carries the Foster brand name. Crown has an interesting "squiggley" emblem on it. The dial has some spotting but it does not appear too bad - let's call it some "patina" - the crystal looks original glass, and didn't look too bad, but the camera flash sure shows a few scratches in the pictures. 1.5 inches long by 7/8 inches wide. Overall condition: This was my grandfather's watch and was an everyday wear watch. We found it recently while moving my grandmother to a new home. I tested it for one week and it gained 5 minutes per day. I had it professionally serviced by a longstanding local fmily owned jeweler (reputable watch repair technician) and it has kept flawless time for the last week. I think they said it was a 17 jewel movement, but cannot swear to that. Any information you can give me as to the year of origin, value, or other specifics about this watch would be greatly appreciated.    | ||
| Crpthird New member Username: Crpthird Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
Bump - any help on this watch? Thanks. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 3492 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It's probably around 1955, curvex movement either 370 or 440. If it's shorter, it's probably a 440. Value in gold filled is around $300. | ||
| Crpthird New member Username: Crpthird Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for your time. I appreciate the reply. | ||
| Podge New member Username: Podge Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
Its a Gruen Curvex and its a Calibre:370 model 642 17 jewels probably one of the last Curvex`s to be made 1953 - 1954 Have a look inside the case it will have a number like this : 370 - 642 first 3 numbers are the calibre the second 3 numbers are the model of the case the Calibre mark on the movement will be in the bottom corner crown side | ||
| Podge New member Username: Podge Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
   This is the same as yours only this one is 10K gold filled | ||
| Podge New member Username: Podge Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
There were four men's Curvex movements. The original 1935 model was the long, thin calibre 311. This was soon replaced by the more curved 330 (1937), also long and thin. As fashions changed, later Curvex models used the short, squarish-oval 440 (1940) and the short and wide 370 (1948). Watches with the 330 were called Custom Curved and 370 models were called Curvametric in Gruen advertising, although the dials are all marked simply Curvex and Precision. Any man's watch that does not contain one of these four movements is not a Curvex. Calibre : 311 (1935) Long & Thin Calibre : 330 (1937) Long & Thin "Custom Curved" Calibre : 440 (1940) Square or Oval Calibre : 370 (1948) Short & Wide "Curvametric" Bit of advice take the expanding strap/band off your watch as these can cause untold damage to a gold watch (Gold being a softer metal than whatever the expading Strap/band is made of) and replace it with a leather strap/band | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 3526 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Great answer thanks. | ||
| Crpthird New member Username: Crpthird Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
Wow. That is more than I ever imagined I would learn abut the watch. Yours is quite nice - my wife says she likes your band. And I have been looking at leather bands, so now I have license to go buy one! I appreciate the great help and reply. Ross | ||
| Podge New member Username: Podge Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2008 Rating: N/A |
Yes the watch band really suits the watch, what prompted me to get the Python Strap/Band was I purchased a Stirling Silver Watch Buckle and the transition from the Gold Watch and the Silver Buckle looked odd with an ordinary Black or Brown watchstrap/band, The Python Strap/band solved the problem  and here is my Buckle  Got both of them on eBay |