Dates & Facts

Timetable showing the evolution of GRUEN

1860:
Watchmaker DIETRICH GRUEN follows his 3 brothers from the Pfalz to the USA
1872:
Son FRED GRUEN is born in Delaware, OHIO, USA after Dietrich's marriage
1874:
US patent for the significant “Safety Pinion” is granted to Dietrich Gruen in USA
1876:
Dietrich Gruen founds the CWC = Columbus Watch Company alongside a partner
1880s:
Dietrich Gruen and his partner run the Columbus Watch Company in Columbus, Ohio
1890:
Dietrich's first son, FRED, graduates from OSU (Ohio State University) with a degree in mechanical engineering and engages in contact with Glashuette watchmakers
1891:
Dietrich Gruen initiates his resignation from Columbus Watch Company
1892:
Construction of the first GRUEN precision watch at the watchmaker's school in Glashuette begins, utilizing R&D elements of MORITZ GROSSMANN
1893:
FRED GRUEN graduates from the watchmaking school in Glashuette with “highest honors”
1894:
Founding of the D.GRUEN & SOHN precision watch manufacturing factory in Glashuette I.Sa.
1894:
World's first GRUEN watch, branded: Nr. 32.000 “D. Gruen & Son Glashuette I. Sa.”
1894:
Production of D.GRUEN & SOHN precision watches, primarily for the US market
1895:
Production of “D. GRUEN & SON-RR-Precision (RailRoad) precision watches
1898:
Brandname is changed to D>GRUEN & SOEHNE after the inclusion of Dietrich's son GEORGE Gruen
1900s:
Continued cooperation between GRUEN and JULIUS ASSMANN in GRUEN precision watchmaking
1908:
first GRUEN wrist watches made in Switzerland for military use and for women's watches
1915:
Development of the Swiss “DIETRICH GRUEN – extra quality” precision watches
1917:
GRUEN relocates to the “TIME HILL” facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA and shifts the production of their watch movements to Switzerland indefinitely – also due to the politically neutral position amidst World War I

“Highlights” of the Swiss GRUEN production in Biel, Switzerland

1920s:
DIETRICH GRUEN - precision watches “extra” with up and down indicator/chronograph/repeater
1924:
GRUEN “50th Anniversary watch” with a movement constructed of pure gold
1928:
GRUEN “Techni-Quadron” dual-dial “Doctors Watch” precision wrist watch
1929:
“GRUEN-ALPINA-TECNO Doctors Watch” produced by GRUEN-ALPINA-GILDE SA.
1930:
GRUEN “Techni-Quadron Doctors Watch” with jumping hour display
1935:
GRUEN-CURVEX wristwatch: a wrist-contoured, curved Curvex movement
1937:
GRUEN-DRIVER “Ristside” and “Curvex-Ristside” automobile driver's wristwatch
1943:
“PAN AMERICAN” pilot and military wristwatch series with 24 hour dial
1950:
GRUEN precision “Chrono-Timer”, “Doctors” chronograph, Gruen 450/850
1955:
GRUEN - “Airflight” pilot watch with jumping dial from 12 hour to 24 hour format
1960:
GRUEN - “OCEAN CHIEF” diver's watch, also for professional use
1965:
GRUEN-ALARM wristwatch with mechanical alarm function
1970:
GRUEN - “Worldtimer” automatic, 24 hour dial with adjustable world-time bezel
1991:
GRUEN - „Georgine“ Unisex-Chronograph, waterproof, WG/RG, Lemania-Caliber
1992:
GRUEN - GENEVE „Moritz“ Vollkalender-Mondphasen, Venus-Caliber,-Ziergravur
1992:
GRUEN – GENEVE “David” full calendar, moon phase, chronometer, chronograph
1993:
GRUEN – GENEVE “Aquaris” limited edition gold diver's chronometer/chronograph