1930's Gruen Quadron W/ A Gold Plated Caliber 123 17 Jewel Movement

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$1,153.00

• Details
  Gruen Quadron – A Rare Art Deco Treasure
  
  It never gets old for me to offer a Gruen Quadron. In many ways, I feel this collection discovered me. I now have 13 of these remarkable timepieces — including two rare “Doctor’s Watches” featuring Aegler movements, born from the historic collaboration between Hans Wilsdorf and Fred Gruen.
  
  My all-time favorite American Art Deco watch is, without a doubt, the Gruen Quadron series. Produced for roughly a decade starting in 1925, these watches embody the elegance and innovation of their time. Many models were released in solid gold, even before the Great Depression. Their bold Art Deco styling — seen in the architecture of the cases, dials, and fonts — speaks to a golden age of horological design.
  
  What makes the Quadron truly special isn’t just its design. It’s what’s inside.
  
  History & Significance
  
  To appreciate the Quadron, you have to understand the watchmaking landscape of the 1920s. Wristwatches for men were still in their infancy — only about 7 to 10 years old — and most early models were converted ladies’ pocket watch movements placed into wrist cases (often called Trench Watches, Wristlets, or Fixed Lug Watches).
  
  Gruen changed that.
  
  In 1925, they introduced the men’s Quadron, a purpose-built rectangular wristwatch powered by high-grade tonneau-shaped movements (15 or 17 jewels). Unlike most competitors who were still using small, round movements ill-suited to rectangular cases, Gruen’s in-house calibers filled the case entirely — making them more accurate, rugged, and reliable.
  
  These were true men’s wristwatches — not repurposed pocket movements. And they performed brilliantly.
  
  According to Gruen advertising, a batch of 200 ordinary Quadron movements was submitted for observatory chronometer testing in Switzerland (before a wristwatch category even existed). All 200 passed under pocket watch standards — a testament to their quality.
  
  This milestone marked one of the earliest recognitions of American wristwatches as serious timekeeping instruments.
  
  A Relationship with Rolex
  
  Before WWII, Gruen was more prominent in the U.S. than Rolex. Gruen and Rolex’s founder Hans Wilsdorf were neighbors in Switzerland, and even collaborated. Some early models featured Aegler movements — the same movement supplier used by Rolex — including the famous Duo-Dial Doctor’s Watches. They briefly considered marketing under the name Rolex-Gruen, but the Great Depression and other global upheavals halted that dream.
  
  The Watch on Offer
  
  This featured watch is a pristine example of a Gruen Quadron. It embodies the pure Art Deco style — from its shadow box dial with freshly applied luminous material, to the elegant, subtly designed case lines.
  
  Case: Rare 14K white gold-filled, in excellent condition — no wear-through visible, even after nearly 90 years.
  
  Size: 38mm lug-to-lug x 24mm wide.
  
  Dial & Hands: Expertly refinished to original specifications.
  
  Movement: Correct 17-jewel Gruen Grade 123 Quadron manual wind movement, completely overhauled and cleaned (August 2025). This caliber is highly sought-after and relatively rare, especially with its original gilt finish.
  
  Crystal: New
  
  Mainspring: New
  
  Polishing: Case hand-polished to restore its original brilliance.
  
  Band: Custom 15mm cordovan strap engraved “Gruen Quadron” on the reverse of both pieces.
  
  Quadron Movement Calibers Over Time
  
  The Quadron series evolved through several calibers, each representing Gruen’s drive for precision:
  
  Caliber 117 (17 jewel)
  
  Caliber 119 (17 jewel)
  
  Caliber 123 (17 jewel) – Featured in this watch
  
  Caliber 157 (15 jewel)
  
  Caliber 325 (17 jewel)
  
  Caliber 3251 (21 jewel)
  
  Caliber 877 – The "Techniquadron"
  
  Even the famous Gruen Duo-Dial (Doctor’s Watch) used a Quadron movement inside.
  
  Why This Watch Matters
  
  This is more than a wristwatch — it's a piece of design history. A 90+ year-old survivor that’s still running beautifully. It represents Gruen’s commitment to innovation during the golden years of American watchmaking.
  
  Vintage Gruen Quadrons, especially in this condition and configuration, are becoming incredibly rare. Try searching for this exact model — you’ll be lucky to see one come up for sale at all.
  
  If you love the Art Deco period, if you collect early American horology, or if you're looking for a wristwatch that tells a story — this is it.
  
  Use the pictures as part of your decision-making. They’re your best guide to the excellent condition of this piece.
  Read my reviews and buy with confidence — I am a dedicated steward of these treasures, and I’m happy to answer any questions.
  
  Don’t wait. These watches don’t come around often — and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
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  I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations

  Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery

  Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery

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