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Gruen 480SS
Automatic · 9.5‴ x 10.5‴ · Switzerland · 1951
Dimensions
21 mm x 23.9 mm
Height
5.80mm
Jewels
17
Power reserve
30h
Timegrapher
Beat rate
18,000bph
Frequency
2.5Hz
Reference: healthy amplitude ≈ 270–315° fully wound (>200° at 24 h); beat error ideally < 0.5 ms.
Movement
| Movement type |
Automatic
Mechanical movements fitted with an oscillating rotor that winds the mainspring through the wearer's natural motion. Invented by Abraham-Louis Perrelet around 1777 for pocket watches and adapted to the wristwatch by John Harwood in 1923, it combines traditional craftsmanship with everyday convenience.
|
|---|---|
| Winding type |
Automatic (Rotor-Driven)
Self-winding via a rotor whose motion winds the mainspring through a transmission gear train. The specific rotor configuration (central, micro, peripheral, bumper) is catalogued separately under Rotor Type. Standard on the vast majority of mechanical wristwatches since the mid-20th century.
|
| Setting type |
Stem Set (Crown Pull)
The dominant modern system: pulling the crown out to a setting position engages the hand-setting mechanism. Introduced in the late 19th century and refined into multi-position crowns (date, time, GMT). Used in virtually all modern wristwatches and most 20th-century pocket watches.
|
| Escapement type |
Swiss Lever
The undisputed standard of modern mechanical watchmaking. Through an elegant interplay between escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance, it delivers reliable impulses with the safety of 'draw' to keep the lever locked. Refined since the 18th century, it powers almost every quality mechanical wristwatch made today.
|
| Control type |
Balance Wheel
The heart of mechanical timepieces, the balance wheel is an oscillating component that, together with the hairspring, forms a harmonic oscillator regulating the gear train's pace. Its steady back-and-forth motion ensures the even release of energy from the mainspring, governing the watch's accuracy.
|
| Regulator type |
Pinned Regulator (or Index Regulator)
The most traditional regulator, consisting of a movable index pointer fitted with two curb pins (or a pin and a boot) that embrace the hairspring. Sliding the index along its scale changes the spring's active length, adjusting the rate. Simple, reliable, and easy to service, it remains the workhorse standard across countless mechanical movements.
|
| Rotor type |
Central Rotor
The most common automatic winding rotor, mounted on the central axis of the movement and rotating a full 360°. Industrialized by Rolex with the Perpetual system in 1931 and refined throughout the 20th century, it offers excellent winding efficiency and remains the de facto standard for automatic wristwatches, whether winding in one or both directions.
|
| Shock protection |
Incabloc
The most famous and widely used shock protection system in horology. Invented in 1934 by Georges Braunschweig and Fritz Marti at Universal Escapements (La Chaux-de-Fonds), it employs a lyre-shaped spring holding the jewel setting, allowing it to shift under impact and return to position. Adopted by countless Swiss makers across the 20th century.
|
Specifications
| Lignes | 9.5‴ x 10.5‴ |
|---|---|
| Shape |
Cushion
With rounded corners and a vintage touch, it resembles a pillow or cushion.
|
| Complications |
Sub Second
A small seconds hand typically located on a sub-dial and is separate from the central hour and minute hands. Originating from early pocket watches where the main balance wheel drove the seconds hand, it offers an elegant way to track the passage of time without crowding the main display. It remains a testimony to the watch's mechanical precision and history.
|
| Hand count | 3 |
| Hand sizes | 1.22 x 0.72 x 0.20mm |
| Further measures | Mounting Diameter (Dm): 21.0 x 23.45mm Stem height (T): 1.7mm Mounting Height (F): 1.4mm |
Origin & References
| Manufacturer | Gruen |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Launch year | 1951 |
| COSC certified | No |
| Signature | 1-2) ca. 1951: Autowind-Patented, Gruen Watch Co Precision, Swiss, 17 Jewels - *; Incabloc
3-5) ca. 1955: GXC, Autowind-Patented, Gruen Watch Co Precision, Swiss, 17 Jewels - *; Incabloc
6.7) ca. 1955: GXC, Autowind-Patented, Gruen Watch Co Precision, Swiss, 17 Jewels - *; Incabloc |
| US import codes |
|
Notes
Remarks: 1951-
Breguet hairspring
detached manual wind
earlier samples with stronger bevelled plate
detail modifications during production periode (cf. photos)
Other data: balance staff: U2148 stem: W2333 mainspring / battery: 1.17 x 8.0 x 0.0925 x 240mm
Breguet hairspring
detached manual wind
earlier samples with stronger bevelled plate
detail modifications during production periode (cf. photos)
Other data: balance staff: U2148 stem: W2333 mainspring / battery: 1.17 x 8.0 x 0.0925 x 240mm
Family
Series 480 - 930SS
480 : 17 jewels, sub second
480SS: 17 jewels, sweep second
480-3SS: 23 jewels, sweep second, gilt
930 : 23 jewels, sub second
930SS: 23 jewels, sweep second
480SS: 17 jewels, sweep second
480-3SS: 23 jewels, sweep second, gilt
930 : 23 jewels, sub second
930SS: 23 jewels, sweep second
Related calibers
Gruen 480
Gruen 480SS
Gruen 930
Gruen 930SS
Compatible Parts
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