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 a striking original example of one of these fine wristwatches.

While Techni-Quadron's are all uncommon, this one has a rare case with factory done pebble texturing on the twelve and six sides of the bezel. It is very cool with a memorably distinctive look.

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. This example has extremely cool original pebble texturing.

* Larger, peripheral seconds dial insures the hour and minute hands never obstruct the view of the seconds, perfect for taking a patient's pulse and for technical uses

* Striking Art Deco original dial with a slight two-tone color for the center of both dials

Its thickly plated 14K white gold filled case is in near mint. 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 no gold wear.

Its iconic duo-dial face, which has a wonderful Art Deco style, is original and untouched.

One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. Note the numerous hand-etched markings inside the case back showing a very extensive service history.

We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping accurate time.

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, a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

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

Manufacturer: Gruen/Aegler
Country of origin: Switzerland
Serial no.: 1,806,407
Year built: c. 1930
Model: Techni-Quadron, ref. 877/8
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Large Subsidiary Seconds
Designed for: Men
Case material: 14K white gold-filled
Case condition: Near mint with light wear and some pin prick indentions in the back. 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 no gold wear. It has not been recently polished. Please inquire if you would like a light polishing.
Dial: Silver, Art Deco, outer minute track, black painted radial Roman indexes, larger peripheral seconds dial, signed Gruen, original and untouched. Please inquire if you would like it refinished.
Dimensions: 21.5mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip
Hands: Blue steel, all original, "Moderne" 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, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn
Crystal type: Mineral glass
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it.
Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system. We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is keeping accurate time. 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 warranty. Please message us for details.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
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

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