A charming late-1960s Gruen Precision that combines a remarkably readable 22mm format with a silver sunburst dial, applied markers, and a practical date display. Its full stainless steel case and hand-wound Swiss movement make this an appealing alternative to the more delicate cocktail watches commonly offered for women during the period.
The round stainless steel case features slender angular lugs, a polished bezel, and a snap back marked reference 397 RSS CA. The silver sunburst dial is arranged around an oversized applied 12, faceted baton markers, dark hands, center seconds, and a framed date window at 3 o’clock. A light patina around the date window and outer dial give the watch an honest vintage character without compromising its strong legibility.
Inside is the Gruen-signed caliber 397 CA, identified as an ETA 2541 base movement. This compact 17-jewel Swiss caliber is manually wound and provides center seconds and a date display—a useful, well-proportioned mechanism for a watch of this size.
The movement has been fully serviced, regulated, and is running well. A new crystal has been installed. The stainless steel case shows light scratches, marks, and other age-appropriate wear, while the dial has some visible spotting and localized surface aging, particularly near the date aperture. Please review the photographs closely for the best representation of cosmetic condition.
Manufacturer: Gruen
Model line: Precision
Reference: 397 RSS CA
Movement: Gruen 397 CA, based on ETA 2541
Winding: Manual wind
Jewels: 17
Complications: Center seconds, and date
Case: Stainless steel with snap back
Case diameter: 22mm excluding crown
Lug to lug: 28mm
Thickness: 8mm
Lug width: Approximately 11.2mm
Recommended band: 11mm
Crystal: New
Origin: Switzerland
This Gruen represents a practical side of late mid-century women’s watchmaking. Rather than emphasizing jewelry-like proportions alone, it offers a clear dial, center seconds, a date complication, and a robust stainless steel case. The result is a small but genuinely usable mechanical watch with the restrained styling associated with the later Gruen Precision era.
Watch band not included with purchase. You will need a 11mm band to pair with this watch. Note that 11mm is a challenging size to find, and it is possible to fit a (much easier to procure) 12mm band with correctly sized spring bars. Please see this page for more information.
A charming late-1960s Gruen Precision that combines a remarkably readable 22mm format with a silver sunburst dial, applied markers, and a practical date display. Its full stainless steel case and hand-wound Swiss movement make this an appealing alternative to the more delicate cocktail watches commonly offered for women during the period.
The round stainless steel case features slender angular lugs, a polished bezel, and a snap back marked reference 397 RSS CA. The silver sunburst dial is arranged around an oversized applied 12, faceted baton markers, dark hands, center seconds, and a framed date window at 3 o’clock. A light patina around the date window and outer dial give the watch an honest vintage character without compromising its strong legibility.
Inside is the Gruen-signed caliber 397 CA, identified as an ETA 2541 base movement. This compact 17-jewel Swiss caliber is manually wound and provides center seconds and a date display—a useful, well-proportioned mechanism for a watch of this size.
The movement has been fully serviced, regulated, and is running well. A new crystal has been installed. The stainless steel case shows light scratches, marks, and other age-appropriate wear, while the dial has some visible spotting and localized surface aging, particularly near the date aperture. Please review the photographs closely for the best representation of cosmetic condition.
Manufacturer: Gruen
Model line: Precision
Reference: 397 RSS CA
Movement: Gruen 397 CA, based on ETA 2541
Winding: Manual wind
Jewels: 17
Complications: Center seconds, and date
Case: Stainless steel with snap back
Case diameter: 22mm excluding crown
Lug to lug: 28mm
Thickness: 8mm
Lug width: Approximately 11.2mm
Recommended band: 11mm
Crystal: New
Origin: Switzerland
This Gruen represents a practical side of late mid-century women’s watchmaking. Rather than emphasizing jewelry-like proportions alone, it offers a clear dial, center seconds, a date complication, and a robust stainless steel case. The result is a small but genuinely usable mechanical watch with the restrained styling associated with the later Gruen Precision era.
Watch band not included with purchase. You will need a 11mm band to pair with this watch. Note that 11mm is a challenging size to find, and it is possible to fit a (much easier to procure) 12mm band with correctly sized spring bars. Please see this page for more information.
