6.5 Frames Per Second

Linen Dial with Radium indices and hand inserts

I gather this is a later model judging by the un remarkable movement made by ST (Standard) and based on an A. Shild 1686. The finish on the plates and wheels scream downsize but the linen dial makes up for it since it’s my favorite for a dress watch. I was expecting this to be a parts or repair project but after a few minor adjustments this watch is keeping time as well as any of my other Gruens.

Upon delivery of any watch that’s been sold as non working or? needs TLC and a service, I check for a few things before anything else.

1: Check to make sure hairspring hasn’t jumped up onto a train wheel.
2: Check to make sure hairspring hasn’t jumped out of the regulating pins.
3: Make sure it’s wound. (Go ahead and laugh, I bought one watch as needing a new battery and in need of repair. The grinding heard when turning the stem was the click spring.)
4: Check for obvious debris blocking the train and escapement.
5: Check jewels for any chips/cracks bad enough to slow or stop a pivot.
6: Check for oil and grease build up. It’s better to have a watch that stopped and was thrown in a drawer than one that was dipped a couple times in sewing machine oil.

These are some of my standard inspections for vintage wristwatches and a good many can be brought up to running condition after checking these simple points. A watch with poor amplitude or one that struggles to run is no longer a frustration when I open the case up. Removing and cleaning/oiling the balance jewels will give you a perfectly capable occasional wearer.

Gruen 552 RSS movement

Well, another day another Gruen. I’ve been lucky, the last few examples have been in exceptionally good condition. There’s one in the mail that has a dial that could repel children and small animals. Another redial for International…coming soon.

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