Otto Grun Watch Brooch

I am looking for any information about this brooch. There appears to be a hole at the top with a broken hook which I'm assuming may indicate it was also used as a pendant. The dial says "Otto Grun". In trying to date this piece, I found there was an Otto Grun jeweler out of Manhattan NY which opened in 1930. I can't find a piece similar to this. Any information is appreciated. Thank you!

 

I don't know anything about the brooch, but if it's not too large think it would make a wonderful dollhouse clock.

 

That's really neat !!!

 

That's a great idea Pat P! It's only 2" tall so it could pass for a dollhouse clock ;-)

 

I think that size would work. If you sell it, you might want to list in both jewelry/watch and vintage dollhouse categories. Unusual dollhouse items can sell for really nice prices.

 

It's a reasonable quality watch movement but it looks as if the winding stem has broken off near the crown, (winding knob). So as you'd have a job finding a stem that long,the dolls house clock sounds the best plan. It is modelled after an 18th. C French style mantel clock.

A guesstimate puts it in the 50s or 60s. It's not earlier as it has Incabloc on the balance staff jewelling.

 

It would indeed make a lovely dollhouse clock,and I oughta know .

 

Maybe something like the key from a music box would serve as a knob for the stem and allow winding. Maybe something of that sort was the intent: you would use such a key to wind it and then leave the key aside when wearing it.

 

Thank you afantiques! Very informative and helpful

 

No, the winding would be with the usual wristwatch style button, and you can see the thin stem it screwed onto on the left of the middle of the movement.
You might be able to hold and turn it with a watchmaker's miniature drill holder, a thing like a pencil with a tiny 4 jaw chuck on the end but this is not at all convenient. What looks like it might be the broken off button might be attached under the movement, as if someone kept it to repair.

 

Maybe not repair???
Maybe it doesn't fit when the backing is screwed on, so it's kept there for when it's needed ??? Eh...Huh...could be ????

 

It looks like it's being held there.....on purpose !!

 

I can't see a design where you would have to partially disassemble the piece to wind the watch.

 

yaa....that seems logical .....

 

Are you referring to the piece below the movement? I have taken a close up picture of the area below the movement. There is a fake pendulum and then below that a place where the screw fits in to hold the front and back pieces together. I think you are right afantiques, I believe the winding knob is missing. The watch does work. When I take it apart I can easily wind the watch and it runs time just fine. Again, thank you all for your help and input

 

I'm still trying to figure out the purpose of this hook. It's on the inside of the clock. I'm pretty sure the hook is broken; I can see a blunt edge on the hook as if it's broken. When you put the front and back pieces together there is a tiny hole as if the hook would pop out. Here are some pictures to better show what I'm trying to explain.



Tiny hole above the hook:

 

that's not a pendulum ....it's the crown...

 

Q . Is it possible the watch is not original to the brooch, but a later replacement , jerry- rigged into position ???

 

I can see how a mock pendulum might jiggle behind the barred 'window' but it really does look like a winding crown. I doubt if the watch is not original. If it was not, no one would bother with making it so.

 

Ok, but let's say it was a replacement , & even with the long stem , the crown didn't quite fit, so it was kept where the old pendulum was.

I think it's a possibility ..!
Harumph !!!!