All about Gruen

[Mr. Bieser]

And continued to make them from time to time--6 superthin ones made inside $10 gold piece circa 1948, if memory serves. But I've never seen a pic

I still have photos from Heritage auctions on that...let me dig em up but remembering they are quite large, so I'll have to email. It's actually a 20 buck gold piece case by Gruen Weber and says Gruen Geneva on dial, unknown calibre if memory serves.

[Mr. Bieser]

I think you're right about the 10 and 20 dollar pieces. Seperate runs.

This is a fun one. From the Atomic Age and Cold War. October 26, 1955.
Atomicronic. I think I puffed on some of that back in college days. Lol.
Anyone know what this one refers to, exactly?

[Dietrich]

Yes, agreed, this is a fun one. But appears to have been never used at any time.
No idea what they tried to use it for. The tradename was cancelled in 1962.

[Fred]

…I think I puffed on some of that back in college days. Lol.

Good stuff that!

Which watches? Maybe for the chrono timers? So after 7 years it expired. I’d need to refresh myself on tm requirements. I know there was a proof of use required at 7 years (failed here, Gruen let it go), but I thought there was a 3 year too. Could be wrong tho

Edit: curiously, it’s popping up in 1973 JCK & 1990s lists for Gruen & their successors (Gruen marketing co)

[Dietrich]

Yes, it pops up in various later lists, but the U.S. Patent Office Official Gazette from July 3rd 1962 shows the canecellation.

[Fred]

Seeing Carl’s post about the Croix de Guerre inspired another question. Was this term only used in reference to the Palladin?

[Mr. Bieser]

Seeing Carl’s post about the Croix de Guerre inspired another question. Was this term only used in reference to the Palladin?

As you mention Gruen used "The Croix de Guerre of American Achievement" for the Paladin model but they also used the term for all tíers of the Pentagon.
Gruen claimed it didn't know who first used the phrase in relation to the Pentagon. But I found that one of the first times used is by Fred in relation to number 53 of the 50th Anniversary model.

June 23, 1927.

June 12, 1927.

[Mr. Bieser]

Yes, agreed, this is a fun one. But appears to have been never used at any time.
No idea what they tried to use it for. The tradename was cancelled in 1962.

I appreciate the feedback.
I also do not know Gruens intent for Atomicronic.
But since we're coming up empty I'd just like to say that that the first practical cesium beam atomic clock was invented in 1955, may have had some influence on the Gruen portmanteau.

[Fred]

Ooo, cesium? That is new to me… now that would be something, if Gruen was exploring a watch application for cesium beam that couldn’t make it to full production. But that’s at least a new angle of inspiration.

[Mr. Bieser]

Not really saying they were trying to make an atomic clock or watch?! themselves, just that the invention of atomic clocks had a massive worldwide impact on culture, that Gruen made a catchphrase simply wanting a piece of the atomic age commercial pie. All just a theory.

Turn down your volume, link to short video on the 55 atomic clock.

https://youtu.be/MGoVXLzUDsQ