This Gruen Precision is an honest survivor whose considerable battle scars speak to decades of regular use. Its warm silver dial, oversized applied 12, slender markers, and framed date window offer classic 1960s character. Following a substantial mechanical service, regulation, and installation of a new crystal, it is ready to be worn and enjoyed again.
The 34mm case combines a base-metal bezel with a stainless steel screwback marked 522 RSS CA and Made in France. Because extensive wear and brassing made preservation of the original chrome finish impractical, the bezel was restored with rhodium plating over a nickel underplate. The new finish brightens the watch without concealing the pitting, scratches, and softened edges earned through years of hard use.
The silver-toned dial displays scattered spotting and warm age-related patina, particularly around its perimeter. Applied baton markers, an oversized Arabic 12, relumed dauphine-style hands, center seconds, and a framed date aperture at 3 o’clock create a handsome and highly legible mid-century design.
Inside is a Swiss manual-wind calendar movement: the Gruen caliber 522 CA, based on the 17 jewel Felsa 4017N. It provides hours, minutes, center-sweep seconds, and a date display. The movement has been freshly serviced and regulated and is running well.
The service included replacement of the mainspring, setting-lever spring, and balance complete. The hands were relumed, and a new crystal was installed. Substantial pitting, scratches, plating irregularities, and other evidence of hard wear remain visible throughout the case. The dial also retains noticeable patina. This is not a cosmetically pristine example; its appeal lies in the contrast between its honest exterior and renewed mechanical condition.
Manufacturer: Gruen
Model line: Precision
Reference: 522 RSS CA
Movement: Gruen 522 CA (Felsa 4017N) - 17 Jewels
Winding: Manual
Jewels: 17
Functions: Hours, minutes, center seconds, and date
Case: Rhodium-plated base metal with nickel underplate
Caseback: Stainless steel screwback
Diameter: 34mm excluding crown
Lug to lug: 43mm
Thickness: 10mm
Lug width: Approximately 17.4mm
Recommended band: 17mm
Crystal: New
This Precision reflects Gruen’s later transatlantic identity: an established American-market name paired with Swiss mechanical watchmaking and European case production. Its restrained styling and useful calendar display capture the practical side of the mid-century dress watch. More importantly, this example preserves the story of a watch that was clearly valued, worn extensively, and ultimately restored rather than discarded.
Watch band not included with purchase. You will need a 17mm band to pair with this watch. Please see this page for more information.
This Gruen Precision is an honest survivor whose considerable battle scars speak to decades of regular use. Its warm silver dial, oversized applied 12, slender markers, and framed date window offer classic 1960s character. Following a substantial mechanical service, regulation, and installation of a new crystal, it is ready to be worn and enjoyed again.
The 34mm case combines a base-metal bezel with a stainless steel screwback marked 522 RSS CA and Made in France. Because extensive wear and brassing made preservation of the original chrome finish impractical, the bezel was restored with rhodium plating over a nickel underplate. The new finish brightens the watch without concealing the pitting, scratches, and softened edges earned through years of hard use.
The silver-toned dial displays scattered spotting and warm age-related patina, particularly around its perimeter. Applied baton markers, an oversized Arabic 12, relumed dauphine-style hands, center seconds, and a framed date aperture at 3 o’clock create a handsome and highly legible mid-century design.
Inside is a Swiss manual-wind calendar movement: the Gruen caliber 522 CA, based on the 17 jewel Felsa 4017N. It provides hours, minutes, center-sweep seconds, and a date display. The movement has been freshly serviced and regulated and is running well.
The service included replacement of the mainspring, setting-lever spring, and balance complete. The hands were relumed, and a new crystal was installed. Substantial pitting, scratches, plating irregularities, and other evidence of hard wear remain visible throughout the case. The dial also retains noticeable patina. This is not a cosmetically pristine example; its appeal lies in the contrast between its honest exterior and renewed mechanical condition.
Manufacturer: Gruen
Model line: Precision
Reference: 522 RSS CA
Movement: Gruen 522 CA (Felsa 4017N) - 17 Jewels
Winding: Manual
Jewels: 17
Functions: Hours, minutes, center seconds, and date
Case: Rhodium-plated base metal with nickel underplate
Caseback: Stainless steel screwback
Diameter: 34mm excluding crown
Lug to lug: 43mm
Thickness: 10mm
Lug width: Approximately 17.4mm
Recommended band: 17mm
Crystal: New
This Precision reflects Gruen’s later transatlantic identity: an established American-market name paired with Swiss mechanical watchmaking and European case production. Its restrained styling and useful calendar display capture the practical side of the mid-century dress watch. More importantly, this example preserves the story of a watch that was clearly valued, worn extensively, and ultimately restored rather than discarded.
Watch band not included with purchase. You will need a 17mm band to pair with this watch. Please see this page for more information.
