In 1894
It was founded in by German-born watchmaker Dietrich Grün. Gruen Watch Company was formerly one of the largest watch manufacturers in the United States and was in business from about 1894 to 1958 and was in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Gruen was one of the first US watch companies to offer basic movements produced in Switzerland.
In 1876
Dietrich Gruen started the Columbus Watch Manufacturing Company In partnership with W.J. Savage to imported and finished watch movements imported from Madretsch, Switzerland.
In 1882
The company started manufacturing their own movements directly in the U.S.A. then the shareholders forced Gruen out of the company and the New Columbus Watch Company continued in existence until 1903.
In 1888
production was about 45 watches per day; the company would grow to 300 employees and output to 150 watches per day. Although the company continued to issue stemwind watches, they also manufactured keywind movements for some of their less-expensive models.
In 1894
Dietrich Gruen founded a new company D. Gruen & Son, a partnership with his son Frederick G. Gruen which designed a series of pocket watch movements which were manufactured by a German watchmaking.
In 1900
The new company became partially a Swiss company and the corporate name became D. Gruen, Sons & Co.
1903
A subsidiary was formed, “The Gruen Watch Manufacturing Company”, located in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
In 1904
The company introduced the VeriThin pocket watch movement, a new arrangement of components that allowed the movement to be made much thinner.
In 1908
The first Gruen wristwatches were introduced
In 1911
Dietrich Gruen died and control of the company passed to his son Frederick.
In 1917
The company moved to a newly constructed building named Time Hill, located at 401 East McMillan Street in Cincinnati.
In 1922
The company built the Precision Factory in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
In 1923
The company moved into a new facility, in Biel/Bienne.
In 1930
An arrangement was made with Alpina, with the production of a dual branded Alpina/Gruen watch
In 1935
Gruen introduced the first Curvex wristwatches for men, the company’s most famous design.
In 1940s and 1950
Gruen launched the ’21’ series of wristwatches (named for their 21-jewel movements) which were entirely made in the United States.
In 1953
The Gruen family sold their interest in the company
In 1958
The watch manufacturing business moved to New York under new ownership, and manufacturing was done exclusively in Switzerland.
In 1977
The operation in Biel/Bienne closed its doors
In 2000
TM Gruen is currently owned worldwide by MZ Berger, Long Island City, New York.
