{"product_id":"1941-gruen-vintage-techni-quadron-rolex-prince-watch-14k-gold-filled-doctors-watch","title":"1941 Gruen Vintage Techni - Quadron \/ Rolex Prince Watch, 14K Gold-Filled - Doctor's Watch","description":"\u003cp\u003eWithout 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMade 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAegler 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 \u0026amp; Dowling, The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches, an Unauthorized History.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Gruen Techni-Quadron featured in today's offering is one of these fine wristwatches made during the onset of World War II. Here are a few of its features:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003ePossessing 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003ePowered 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eExtremely 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 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e Curved, long and elegant case make it appropriate for both casual and dress wear\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eLarger, 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eStriking late Art Deco style dial \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll of its parts down to all of its hands and winding crown are original Gruen Techni-Quadron parts, though we tend to associate this dial and hand motif with the 877\/290 model rather than this 877\/8 case reference suggesting that perhaps a second Techni-Quadron was needed at some point for repairs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts thickly plated 14K gold filled case is excellent condition hardly any of the gold wearthrough that is common with these. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts iconic duo-dial face, which has a wonderful late Art Deco style is in excellent condition with fairly light aging. Please inquire if you would like it restored.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine correct parts, installing a new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $695 value). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a new Rolex in our testing recording position.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new Italian calfskin strap and aftermarket Rolex buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis an opportunity to own an exciting historical timepiece whose quality is on par with coveted Rolex Prince watches.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e Gruen\/Aegler\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Switzerland, made for the U.S. market\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSerial no.:\u003c\/b\u003e 1,853,328\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear sold:\u003c\/b\u003e Gifted on Christmas Day, 1941\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel:\u003c\/b\u003e Techni-Quadron, ref. 877\/8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/b\u003e Hours, Minutes, Large Subsidiary Seconds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigned for:\u003c\/b\u003e Men \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase material:\u003c\/b\u003e 14K gold-filled\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Excellent condition; hardly any of the gold wearthrough that is common with these\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e Eggshell silver, late Art Deco style, gold applique Breguet numerals, larger peripheral seconds dial, signed Gruen, original - excellent condition with only fairly light aging. Please inquire if you would like it restored\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 22mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHands:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, \"Breguet moons\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement type:\u003c\/b\u003e Original Gruen made by Aegler, Cal. 877, very high quality, 7''' 1\/2, 15 jewels, lateral lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance-spring\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement markings:\u003c\/b\u003e Gruen Guild A, Fifteen Jewels, Switzerland\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJewels:\u003c\/b\u003e 15 rubies \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBand:\u003c\/b\u003e Italian calfskin, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with aftermarket gold-plated Rolex buckle\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/b\u003e Acrylic, very good condition with wear visible under scrutiny. Please inquire if you would like a new crystal installed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eServiced:\u003c\/b\u003e One of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine correct parts, installing a new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $695 value).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTiming:\u003c\/b\u003e Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running very strong and true, keeping time on par with a new Rolex in our testing recording position. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/b\u003e 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. 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. As mentioned, one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox\/Papers:\u003c\/b\u003e BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReturns:\u003c\/b\u003e 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gruen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47349202419801,"sku":"10488","price":2395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1219\/5194\/files\/1181329008_o.jpg?v=1790700157","url":"https:\/\/shop.connoisseuroftime.com\/products\/1941-gruen-vintage-techni-quadron-rolex-prince-watch-14k-gold-filled-doctors-watch","provider":"Connoisseur of Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}