Men’s 1939 Gruen Veri-Thin Dress Watch

Gruen emerged as one of the pre-eminent watch houses in the United States, producing accurate timepieces in stylish cases that became Jazz-Age darlings. As the wristwatch evolved into a symbol of fashion and status, watch houses sought to outdo one another, but none seemed to touch the panache of Gruen. Founded in the United States in 1876, the legacy of Dietrich Gruen has become a benchmark for watch designers, with Gruen timepieces still admired for their quality and style.

The Gruen Veri-thin line, in particular, helped solidify Gruen's reputation as a leading American watchmaker. Their innovative approach to movement design — spreading the movement horizontally rather than stacking it — created slimmer cases without sacrificing accuracy, a feature that influenced other brands. By the mid-1930s, Gruen had established itself as a luxury brand, popular among professionals and individuals seeking sophistication in both form and function.

This Deco Gruen perfectly captures the spirit of the era, illustrating the adage: "Out with the curves, in with the geometric lines." The philosophy behind the design reflects the influence of "L'Exposition des Arts Décoratifs," held in Paris in 1925, which gave rise to the term "Art Deco." Gruen wristwatches, especially those from the 1920s and 1930s, were highly sought after for their slim design and stylish cases, many featuring rectangular or tonneau-shaped forms that aligned with the sleek, geometric aesthetic of Art Deco.

This fabulous 38mm by 23mm Gruen Veri-thin, circa mid-'30s, beautifully combines sweeping curves with angular lines, offering a stunning balance of form and function. Its 17 ruby-jeweled Gruen movement reflects the company's commitment to precision and quality. The magnificently restored eggshell dial with gold Gothic numerals is a true visual delight, paying homage to both the post-industrial Metropolis look and the clean, sophisticated designs of the Art Deco movement.

Its classic, fancy claw lugs add a touch of elegance to the crisp, yellow gold-filled and Guildite case. When you snap open the un-engraved back, you'll uncover another treasure: its original 435 caliber Gruen Precision Curvex hand-assembled movement, marked "Seventeen 17 Jewels/435/Gruen Watch Co./Switzerland."

Gruen positioned the Veri-thin line as a premium product, known for its quality movements and elegant design, making it highly sought after by collectors today. This example, offered in a factory Gruen presentation box, has been cleaned, oiled, and timed, ready to accompany you to the office or your next dinner engagement. We've also fitted it with a new wine crocodile strap and matching gold-tone buckle, rounding out a work of tactile art that reflects the discerning taste of the wearer.

We love our overseas buyers, but if the watch is purchased outside the U.S., we must replace the strap with a leather one.