Description:

Gruen 17J Precision grade 440 GXC wrist watch, vintage mechanical manual-wind movement marked 1941, case #989568, model 435-490, champagne-toned metal single-sunk dial with a distinctive pattern of smooth polish & matte finish to give a 2-tone effect, raised fancy gold Arabic numbers over the matte section, black-marked minute register and a black-marked subsidiary seconds register in the smooth polish sections, a narrow black line separates the two finishes, dial has a few very small specs of discoloration but no scratches or notable damage, gold steel flared center whip style hands.

Attractive yellow gold filled (YGF) & stainless steel (SS) rectangular tonneau-shaped case with flared sides, a narrow bezel supporting a thick domed plastic crystal and a distinctive folded ribbon design of extended lugs that creates a hidden lug look, inscription on the frame "H. Sterkel", case is showing normal even wear with only a few very small spots of brass on the edges of the ribbon detail and a few small shallow scratches on the ribbon detailing and back cover, additionally the crown is in excellent shape but is likely a replacement to the watch, measures approx. 22mm wide x 33mm lug to lug x 10mm thick (crystal included), Speidel YGF & SS expansion band with wide pyramid-shaped segments accented with slightly raised cubes near the center comprise the entire length of the band. A very unusual and attractive Gruen from the 1940s in excellent+ overall condition!

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