Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bob, the Curvex was the most popular Gruen watch of all, and it came in several different men's and women's styles and sizes. It has a rectangular shaped case, with the case being only slightly wider than the watchband. Both the front and back of the watch was curved on the originals, while the back is not curved on the new quartz watch I got last night, but the front is curved like the original and looks like the original at a glance. The Curvex was listed as one of the most important wristwatch designs of all time, as was my Eco-Drive, and makes a really snazzy dress watch. Originals are easy to find all over the internet, as they are far and away the most popular Gruen design of all time. I want one of the men's Curvex watches, but I have a presentable Fossil watch for now. You can get modern quartz versions in Wal-Mart for under $100 and they come with a 15 year warranty. The old ones are curvier, if not as accurate, and should have better cases but you need to clean, lube, & adjust every 3-5 years. I believe there is a new version like yours with the little second hand at the bottom. Personally, if I just wanted a watch that looked like a Curvex, I would rather go with a modern one and spend the money I saved on an old Rickenbacker which should increase in value more than the watches since the watches were so popular. You can't get a close Rickenbacker copy at Wal-Mart for under $100 either. The modern reissues of Curvex watches are bound to hurt vintage sales since people who just want the look (like me) will buy the copy and lie like used car salesmen when somebody admires their watch.

I think mine is a curvex then, both the front and back are curved and it's got a pink face and gold lettering, and is just slightly wider than the band. I got this and the Wittnauer from my father, both were dead, they had been my grandfathers, I had them both restored. And the Gruen still goes with my FG Ric.

My father passed on a very old Elgin pocketwatch to me. The story is that a great uncle carried it during the Civil War and bought it in October of 1863. It has a broken mainspring and is definitely very old and has an ornate engraved case depicting a wildlife scene. I looked up the Elgin website and discovered they started business in the 1870's, so the Civil War story is shot to hell. Bummer. It also doesn't go with any Rickenbacker I ever saw. Double Bummer. However, if I ever start wearing denim coveralls with a straw hat and slinging a vintage Gibson or Martin acoustic, I'll be set with the right pocketwatch.

We've ran off-topic again, Bob. Time for Peter to start a Styleman section so we can list what does and doesn't go with Rickenbackers.

So far it seems that a Gruen Curvex can go with a 4000 series bass and LL Bean waxed-cotton jackets go with natural oiled wood finishes. I think the Curvex would also go with 480 series guitars since they share the 4000 series bass body style.