Gruen 440 Curvex and 430 Veri-Thin Touchdown

Always on the lookout for identical models to be used for parts exchange or a source for spare parts I came across this one online. It’s a Gruen “Touchdown” and had what looked like a much better dial than mine so I bought it. The price was quite a bit higher than I’d normally pay for a watch with a broken centre wheel and missing hairspring but I considered the cost of refinishing a two tone dial and it worked out fairly close. Given the choice between better and redial I’ll usually choose better. Nothing against refinishing but hunting for parts that are over sixty years old is part of the challenge.

Gruen 440 Curvex and 430 Veri-Thin Touchdown

As soon as I uncased both and laid them side by side I noticed the dial was slightly different. The new one was slightly narrower and longer.? Case differences are common but I’d never seen movement or dial variations like this, at least in watches from this decade. The first tipoff came when I examined the dial closer and saw that it was an old redial. Flipping it over I also noticed it was more curved against the front plate and then I noticed the movement.

Gruen 440 Curvex

I was now the owner of a Gruen Curvex, although cased in a Veri-Thin Touchdown. Not exactly the way I imagined my first Curvex but given the price I’m not going to complain. Going online to the Gruen Collectors Forum I found that switching movements was common among watchmakers and that parts from the Veri-Thin were compatible with the Curvex. Once again Mike Barnett came up with an invaluable resource in the form of the Gruen Material Catalogues which list those compatible parts. Thank you Mike and Cary once again. The Catalogues come in PDF form which I prefer since it’s much easier than trying to hold open a book and examine the movement at the same time. Four separate documents are included 448, 453, 539 and 545 which cover most of the movements you’ll commonly find. Mike also carries Bulova material as well so browsing his selection is worth the time. At $9.00 – $19.00? they’re? incredibly cheap and an invaluable research tool.

Gruen material Catalog

Obviously I have another project now in finding a suitable case and either replacing or refinishing the one that came with it, but either way I’m happy. It’s just another pleasant surprise you find in this hobby.