DESCRIPTION:
EPW - D. Gruen & Sons, made by Assmann, German, 45mm (approximately 12S for North American market), 18K gold original Gruen Nat'l W.C.Co. OF case with five-knuckle hinges, initials to rear, gold cuvette, white enamel DS dial with gold foil 5-minute markers, SW-SS, lever escapement with gold pallet and capped gold escape wheel, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#66042. Gross weight of assembled watch 43.3 dwt (67.5 g). A beautiful high grade piece made for Gruen by Assmann, and a substantially rarer watch in this smaller size. The Gruen by Assmann watches are seen far more often in larger versions as North American market 16 and 18 size watches, and this is the first 12 size version this cataloger has had the pleasure of having in hand, and I have heard reports of only a very few others.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, perimeter of balance cock with some short fine scratches and surface nicks, some typical mild micro-fine scratches elsewhere; dial with hl to center section between center and upper-right, outer chapter hl at 1, pinpoint nick to inner rim of outer chapter above 5, some fill material visible at lower seat of seconds-register indicating it has likely been re-secured; fine hands, minute somewhat short and with finish loss to spade and tip; case shows little wear, some fine scratches and few pinpoint nicks to band, cuvette with two dings at center and a small pinpoint nick below center, good engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1800
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$2600
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