In 1878, Jean Aegler -a Swiss watchmaker- in his own house with his wife Anna Maria Ramser, learned the trade of watchmaker. In 1871, he bought an industrial workshop in Bienne which he transformed into a factory. Jean Aegler specialized in the manufacture of ladies watches, thanks to the development of a 20mm movement, launched himself into the wristwatch market.

Responding to a call for the from Hans Wilsdorf -a German-British businessman, best known as the founder of Rolex- who was in the process of launching his own brand from London. In 1901, Jean Aegler was selected and became the sole supplier of the Rolex company, which would experience success a few years later when the Aegler wrist watches will be the first in the world to be certified by the Swiss Society of Chronometry. After Aegler death, the factory was taken over by the two sons, the factory will change its name to become Manufacture des Montres Rolex and finally be bought by Rolex S.A. in 2004.

Business between Rolex and Jean Aegler flourished until by 1920, Rolex was Aegler's largest customer and Hermann Aegler invested in the survival of his largest customer by purchasing 6,950 shares and was appointed to the board. The second largest customer of Aegler was the US firm Gruen. As business recoveres after the post-war, both Rolex and Gruen became large shareholders in Aegler. In 1929, the trading name of Aegler company became "Aegler, S.A., Fabrique des Montres Rolex and Gruen Guild A."

Both Gruen and Rolex showed pictures of the Aegler factory building in their advertising, each with their own name added to the picture, implying that it was Gruen or Rolex owned factory. The two companies sold Aegler watches only in their respective territories; Rolex had Europe, Asia and the British Empire; whilst the Gruen brothers in the US only.

Gruen was a watchmaking company based in America and a Swiss watch manufacturer in their own right, as well as buying movements from Aegler and other Swiss and German manufactures. Around 1930, during the Great Depression, Gruen ceased buying movements and made all their Swiss movements in their own factory "Gruen Precision Factory" in Biel/Bienne, which it was first built in 1910 as a small factory and around 1920 a new factory was built the Gruen Precision Factory or "Precision Workshop". The highest quality movements that Gruen sold were produced in the Precision Factory, and Gruen watches containing these were marked "Precision". From 1927 to 1929, George T. Gruen was trained at Aegler; by late 1930's, Gruen were making all their own movements at the Precision Factory.

Dietrich Gruen -a German who worked in Switzerland- founded the first Gruen company in 1874 in Columbus, Ohio. The company was liquidated 20 years later and Dietrich founded a new company with his son Frederick Gruen. A second son George joined in 1897 and in 1898 the company move to Cincinnati. In 1903, a Swiss subsidiary company was formed, The Gruen Watch Manufacturing Company in Biel/Bienna, to simply purchased movements from local manufacturers, and then in 1910 a small factory was set up in Biel/Bienna and Gruen began to manufacture some movements of their own.

"In 1917 the Gruen company built a new factory on the outskirts of Cincinanti at Time Hill. The building was loosely modelled on a medieval guild hall, and the company adopted the name 'The Gruen Watchmakers Guild', invoking an idea of a tradition of a medieval guild and a noble craft of watchmaking."

"The beautiful wrist models shown here bear eloquent testimony to the supremacy of Gruen Guild craftsmanship. Each is a sturdy, practical timekeeper, an ornament of rate distinction, a watch well suired to gratify the most exacting taste."

GRUEN GUILD
Art Deco Wristwatch

This is an INMACULATE timepiece, it is a Gruen Guild wristwatch dated from 1925. It is a manual wind watch with a Gruen Guild movement caliber 179, 15 jewels, Swiss made.

This is for real a unique piece that after 95 years it still looks preserved in time! Like from a time machine, it still has a GORGEOUS white dial with gold applied Arabic Numerals, dots as minute marks and gold hands as well. The sub-second is located at 6. Also, the dial is signed with the Gruen name.

It has a stunning 25.7mm width rectangle case and lug design with art deco engraved on the sides of the case. All in white 14K gold filled. This watch is coming with a vintage Speidel stainless steel one-piece flex bracelet.

This watch is in LOVELY condition! Running very well and keeping good time.

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

Movement:
GRUEN Guild
15 Jewels
Cal. 179
Switzerland
Serial # 1214464
0187

Case Back Signed:
GRUEN
14K Gold Filled
Reinforced with Extra Gold
Wadsworth
5430187
179 27

Measures (mm):
Case Diameter 25.7 x 29.8
Case Lug to Lug 35.7
Case Thickness 8.4
Lug Width 16
Band Width 15

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men's watches typically measure between 29-36mm (some larger, some smaller) wide 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 somewhat smaller than today’s offerings in many cases. 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 light, 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.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.

It will be carefully packed.

Check out my other items listed.
Thanks for looking!

WA-2260