Without question the most iconic Art Deco Rolex is the Prince, universally celebrated for its unsurpassed quality and elegant style. Appropriately named, it was the perfect accompaniment for prominent doctor's, business financiers, or any man with discriminating personal taste in timepieces.

Made not only in the same factory as the Rolex Prince, but on the very same production lines was a virtually identical wristwatch, the Gruen Techni-Quadron. Our photos show a comparison to the case and movement of a Prince.

For a number of years after the company's founding, Rolex had no manufacturing capability of its own so the company received its movements from Aegler, a superb Swiss watch manufacturer partially owned by Gruen, Rolex, and the Aegler family. Because of the large number of Aegler shares held by Rolex and the Gruen brothers, the full name of the manufacturer for a time was actually Aegler, Societe Anonyme, Fabrique des Montres Rolex and Gruen Guild A, translated "Aegler, Limited Company, Manufacturer of Watches for Rolex and Gruen Guild A". The Aegler family used their workshop to produce a large number of movements for Rolex, most notably for the Prince series, as well as for this special wristwatch sold by Gruen.

"Why was the identical watch sold as both a Rolex and a Gruen?" The answer is quite simple: when the watch hit the market in 1928, Rolex was still a London-based company selling almost exclusively in the British Empire and Europe. They had no distribution facilities in the United States, then as now, one of the largest markets in the world. Aegler had invented the watch and put time and money into it. They wanted to recoup their investment from as large a market as possible, and so Gruen was given the 'franchise' for the United States. These were the only markets anywhere in the world worth selling an expensive watch to." - Explanation courtesy of Hess & Dowling, The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches, an Unauthorized History.

The rare Gruen Techni-Quadron featured in today's offering is an especially nice all-original example of one of these fine wristwatches made during World War II. Here are a few of its features:

• Possessing a long, stylish case and an ultra-high quality mechanism, these wristwatches set a standard of the day for refinement and accuracy, performing very well in European chronometer tests
• Powered by the legendary caliber 877 mechanism, manufactured by the Aegler family in Biel, Switzerland, used in these Techni-Quadron and Rolex's Prince line of watches
• Extremely high quality movement design featuring an oversized winding barrel and balance wheel. By placing this two mechanisms at opposite ends of the movement the watch achieves incredible levels of accuracy and carries a longer power reserve, enabling it to run longer and more accurately on each wind
• Curved, long and elegant case make it appropriate for both casual and dress wear
• Larger, peripheral seconds dial ensures the hour and minute hands never obstruct the view of the seconds, perfect for taking a patient's pulse and for technical uses
• Striking late Art Deco style dial

We were fortunate to acquire this very fine watch in such beautiful all-original condition.

Its thickly plated 14K gold filled case is in near mint plus condition. Much of the time these cases have been polished so that the gold has worn through. That's not the case with this one, which shows very little signs of previous polishing and essentially no gold wear - only the tiniest bit on a couple lug tips only visible when scrutinized under magnification. The stamping on the back is still very strong.

Its iconic duo-dial face, which has a wonderful late Art Deco style, is original and untouched. It is in excellent condition, much nicer than you generally see on these watches.

One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. Besides testing it on timing machines, we have also timed it on a machine that spins it in all directions simulating it being worn on the wrist. It is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a new Rolex in our testing (+ 3 seconds per day in our testing).

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

This an opportunity to own an exciting historical timepiece on par with coveted Rolex Prince watches.

• Manufacturer: Gruen/Aegler
• Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
• Serial no.: 1,849,637
• Year built: This case run was made in 1942 and 1943
• Model: Techni-Quadron, ref. 877/290
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Large Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 14K gold-filled
• Case condition: Much of the time these cases have been polished so that the gold has worn through. That's not the case with this one, which shows very little signs of previous polishing and essentially no gold wear - only the tiniest bit on a couple lug tips only visible when scrutinized under magnification. The stamping on the back is still very strong.
• Dial: Two-tone silver, late Art Deco style, gold applique Breguet numerals, larger peripheral seconds dial, signed Gruen, original, excellent condition
• Dimensions: 21mm wide (excluding crown), 44mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Hands: Gold, original, "Breguet moon" style
• Movement type: Original Gruen made by Aegler, Cal. 877, very high quality, 7''' 1/2, 15 jewels, lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance-spring
• Movement markings: Gruen Guild A, Fifteen Jewels, Switzerland
• Jewels: 15 rubies
• Band: Crocodile, remborde, brand new and unworn
• Crystal: Excellent condition
• Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it.
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Besides testing it on timing machines, we have also timed it on a machine that spins it in all directions simulating it being worn on the wrist. It is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a new Rolex in our testing (+ 3 seconds per day in our testing). Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

Aegler factory information excerpted from Paul Schliesser's article "Gruen Watch Company History", www.pixelp.com/gruen/1922.html

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide