GRUEN Curvex

"Your curved wrist deserves the world's only truly curved watch"

GRUEN CURVEX
Curved Case, Movement and Dial
The Precision Watch
Cal. 520 Wristwatch
Ladies Watch

Gruen Watch Company, one of the most important and prestigious American watch manufacturers, founded by a brilliant German horologists, Dietrich Gruen and later by his sons Fred and George Gruen.

"The most famous Gruen wristwatch was the Curvex. These watches are one of the greatest examples of 1930s streamlined design."

In 1935, Gruen introduced the first Curvex wristwatches for men. Expanding on the then-current fashion of the rectangular wristwatches shapes, these models were curved to wrap around the wrist. The biggest innovation of the design was the ability to produce a movement which followed the shape of the case, allowing the watch to be thinner and more curved. This, in turn, allowed the movement to be larger, more durable and more accurate.

There were four men's Curvex movements. The original 1935 model was the long, thin caliber 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.

In 1936 the first Curvex models for women were produced, with the tiny caliber 520 curved movement. The Curvex, for both men and women, was Gruen's flagship product from the mid 1930s until the late 1940s.

Today, we are presenting a stunning and unique vintage Gruen Curvex Precision wristwatch, style 291 and dated from the 1930s.

This is a real curved ladies watch with a original Gruen Curvex movement caliber 520, 17 jewels movement, signed “Curvex”, unadjusted, Swiss made.

Cased in a 12.4mm asymmetrical curved case with fancy lug design. All in 14K gold filled.

It still has the original white dial (showing a little bit of age) with black printed Arabic Numerals, bold minute tracks and blue matching hands. The dial is signed "Gruen Curvex" on top and "Precision" at the bottom.

It is coming with an original Gruen bracelet signed 12K gold filled, U.S.A. Made. (We believe is the original). The bracelet it will fit a wrist up to 6" (15.3cm).

This watch is in LOVELY condition, it is a very attractive looking watch. It runs very well and keeps great time.

Thank you for looking!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or respectful offers.

Movement:
Gruen Watch Co.
Precision
Seventeen 17 Jewels
Unadjusted
Switzerland
640686
Cal. 520

Case Back Signed:
Cased & Timed in U.S.A.
By Gruen Watch Co.
Wadsworth
14K Gold Filled
G059980
520 / 291

Gruen 14K Gold Filled

Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 12.4
Case Diameter w/Crown 25.5
Case Lug to Lug 39.6
Case Thickness: 7.4
Lug Width: 4
Band Width: 8

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust lighting when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.

The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.

Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!

WA-2137