DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Gruen Watch Co, Dietrich Gruen with winding indicator, mvt marked "Chronometer Balance," 48mm, 18K green gold OF original Gruen case with "C A A" monogram initials to rear, florally engraved bezel, band, pendant and bow, signed gold cuvette bearing attributes and also engraved "Especially Finished For C. A. A. Modeer," silvered dial, fully capped lever escapement with counterpoise, raised gold jewel settings, jeweled winding indicator, 23J, wolf's tooth winding, wheel satin nickel finish, s#41522. Comes with its original wooden presentation box, the matching paperwork for its $425 sale to Capt. C.A.A. Modeer of Astoria, Oregon dated June 14th, 1923, as well as with a 10K gold fob chain with end engraved "CAAM." Gross weight of assembled watch 59.1 dwt (91.9 g). Gross weight of 10K gold fob chain 6.9 dwt (10.8 g). A magnificent example of this prestigious top Gruen product, the sales receipt for this watch notes its original $425 cost, which was a truly staggering sum in the early 1920s. The watch, paperwork, and chain are all signed for Captain Charles Axel Alexius Modeer, who had a long and interesting life. In 1906 while serving as second officer aboard the SS City of Panama, Modeer helped rescue three men who were swept overboard which earned him a gold medal from then President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt. During World War I, he served as a commissioned officer holding the command of two vessels during the war, these being the Naval patrol vessel USS Rose which was a former light house tender, and the cargo vessel USS West Compo for one tour of duty in 1919. Following the war, Modeer served on various lighthouse tenders having been made Captain of the Lighthouse Tender Manzanita in 1929 and captained her until his retirement in 1941. His personal journals as well as pictures of him with his crew on the Manzanita can be found at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good winding indicator function, nearly mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, some light toning and typical mild micro-fine scratches to plates; dial with mild surface toning having some scattered lighter and darker spots; nearly mint hands; case shows hardly any wear, some scattered small dark spots to bezel and rear perimeter that appear to be on surface but do not remove or change appearance with light prodding or with a wipe of acetone, no dents or dings, superb engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal; box shows little wear, upper portion is closing securely but is not flush along front side due to mild warping from age, underside with a crack running across its length at center; chain is excellent showing hardly any wear.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
-
$6000
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"