With a cool and possibly unique complication of changing hour markets, the Gruen Airflight was designed to help people master the 24 hour clock.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
One well respected writer for Fratello (and previous customer of ours!) described trying to date Gruen watches of this period as like diving in milk – you won’t see much. It is generally accepted that these were produced between the late fifties and until the early 1970’s, and as this is a Airflight 1 we estimate it is an earlier model.
CONDITION
Finding these are not easy, so we have had to make some compromises. The worst part is the dial – with staining on the left hand side shown in the photographs. But if you can live with that the rest of the watch is working and original, including the distinctive hands. The hour markers are gilt, so look feint in some photos but that is actually reflections – the video is the better representation here. At midday and midnight the numerals switch from 1-12 to 13-24, and back again without any input from the wearer – it happens automatically. The way it works is much like a chronograph actuator, but the clever part is the idea and not the mechanical side (which is quite simple). The calibre 510 movement is working well, and the chromed case isn’t in bad condition for being 65 years old. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour or material if preferred. The watch is signed on the dial, case and movement.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 37.4 mm
Width without crown 35.1 mm
Between lugs 17 mm
Lug to lug length 41.3 mm
Case Thickness 9.9 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
