Gruen Precision 'Doctor No'

Alongside Hamilton, Bulova, and Elgin, Gruen once stood among the giants of American watchmaking. Its founder, Dietrich Gruen — a young German apprentice with a knack for innovation — immigrated to the United States in 1867 after falling in love with a watchmaker's daughter en route. Two years later, he co-founded the Columbus Watch Company and, by 1874, patented a safety pinion mechanism that protected movements from mainspring breaks — a small but significant leap forward in horological engineering.

After being forced out of Columbus Watch Company during the financial turmoil of 1893, Gruen started anew with his son Frederick. Together, they founded D. Gruen & Son, later renamed the Gruen Watch Company, based in Cincinnati. Through resilience and reinvention, Gruen became synonymous with American ingenuity and design flair, producing both daringly modern and timelessly classic pieces.

This example from the 1960s belongs firmly in the latter camp — understated, refined, and deeply emblematic of the era. Housed in a 33mm gold plated case with an acrylic crystal, it features a crisp stick dial with pencil hands, powered by a hand-wound Calibre 510 movement. Its minimalist aesthetic channels the same mid-century elegance that defined the Calatrava, but with a distinctly American twist.

Adding a dash of cinematic intrigue, the Gruen Precision 510 is also believed to be the very first watch worn by James Bond — appearing briefly on 007's wrist during early production for Dr. No before being swapped out for the now-iconic Rolex Submariner.

With its clean lines, golden warmth, and impeccable condition, this Gruen is more than a fine dress watch — it's a slice of watchmaking history with undeniable star power.

Elegant, understated, and effortlessly cool, it wears its license to kill with style.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.