1952 Gruen 21 Barclay better known as 'The Spider' Gents Dress Watch
These definitely don't come up everyday as they are very much sought after. And especially with its own case as well.
Notwithstanding its outrageously cool design which some have compared to a Spiders Web there were some stand out features under the hood ( so to speak !)
Using factory space rented from the American Playing Card Company, in the Cincinnati suburb of Norwood, Gruen set up a facility to build American-made movements. Special permission had to be obtained from the Swiss government in order to export the necessary machinery. In 1949, the company introduced their first watches made entirely in the U.S., a line of 21-jewel men's models. The movements are marked "Cincinnati" or "US" instead of the usual "Switzerland."
The 21 models use a 21-jewel version of the tonneau-shaped 335 Veri-Thinmovement. There is a playful variety of both round and rectangular case styles in the series, in both 14k and gold filled. Since these are the only Gruen watches produced entirely in the U.S., and are not marked "Switzerland" or "Swiss" on the dials, you will sometimes see sellers incorrectly describe them as redials because they don't have any small text at the bottom of the dial. Early models are signed Veri-Thin 21; later models have simply a 21 under the Gruen logo, sometimes enclosed in a gold shield shape.
So we have a 21 Jewel totally USA made, 10k Gold Filled case, Spiders Web Design with its original box, what's not to like, even the engraving on the back is kinda cool.
A rare collectable watch, in great cosmetic condition and running well.
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£755.00Price
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