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Before the Swiss giants dominated the post-war boom, the American-Swiss brand Gruen was a true horological powerhouse. They were masters of ultra-thin movements (the “Curvex”) but also pioneers in robust, everyday watches. This “Auto-Wind” is a perfect example of their early and hugely successful foray into the world of automatic, “self-winding” timepieces.
The “Auto-Wind” was Gruen’s answer to one of the biggest engineering challenges of the 1940s: how to make a watch wind itself. This is a “bumper” automatic, an early and charming system where a weighted rotor swings back and forth in a limited arc, “bumping” off springs to wind the mainspring. It’s a tactile and audible reminder of a pivotal moment in watchmaking history. The caseback engravings (“Waterproof,” “Shock Resistant,” “Anti-Magnetic”) confirm this was a no-compromise, robust piece of engineering meant to be a reliable daily companion.
This particular example is, in our opinion, one of the most compelling versions. It features a stunning “military-style” dial, with a full set of Arabic numerals. This layout prioritizes instant legibility above all else, a design that traces its roots directly to the field watches of WWII. The original “cathedral” handset, with its classic blued-steel sub-seconds hand, completes this purposeful look.
This is a true “survivor” piece, and its condition is what we prize most. The original silver dial has aged into a beautiful, warm, freckled landscape. This is an honest, even patina that tells the story of a watch that has seen and done things. The lume in the hands has aged to a deep, burnt-orange, a fantastic contrast to the blued sub-seconds hand. The stainless steel case shows honest wear but remains strong, just as we like to find them.
