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| Re: The VeriThin Dix [message #9257 is a reply to message #9256] |
Fri, 28 September 2018 08:39   |
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Barney Green
Messages: 1747
Registered: February 2014
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
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Gruen Authority |
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I think the new crystal made the dial appear much better...
BTW does anyone has a proof that the Dix was still sold after 1942? I only have ads mentioning it from 1941 and 1942. Also the movement serial number of this watch dates it to late 1941.
At Paul Schliessers website it is said that "Although Gruen did not manufacture watches for the U.S. military, they offered the public a collection of eight military-style watches, to be used as personal watches by (or gifts to) men and women doing military service.". This is not quite right. There was an ad in 1941 Paul might refer to which showed 8 watches for this purpose, but there were more than these eight being sold as "Service watches".
Gruen, Gruen, Gruen ist alles was ich habe... Gruen, Gruen, Gruen is all I have...(German folklore song)
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| Re: The VeriThin Dix [message #9282 is a reply to message #9280] |
Tue, 16 October 2018 01:06 |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
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mikey wrote on Tue, 16 October 2018 00:35Is this one another VT Dix ?? eBay# 392143542919
Yes, it is. So is this one too: 352484063440
This one also sold the otherday.... 202464656284 which I bought. Dial is in much better condition than the one I have.
All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me
"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
[Updated on: Tue, 16 October 2018 01:06] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: The VeriThin Dix [message #14858 is a reply to message #14854] |
Thu, 13 May 2021 06:02 |
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Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
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Gruen Authority |
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Hi!
Interesting article you wrote there. Its great you were able to piece together so much of this watch owners story, I must say, its quite uncommon to be able to find out so much info on someone who isn't a relative or famous - good work! And didn't even have to contact his family? Wow.
And w/ all due respect & under the full umbrella of a constructive critic who is simply invested in correct Gruen history, there is one inaccuracy I am compelled to point out in this statement of yours:
"This is despite the service of Benjamin Katz, President of Gruen being also the president of the War Products Board during the opening years of the war.".
Benjamin Katz was never at any time the "president" of the War Production Board.
The Chief or the First Chairman of the War Production Board (not "Products") during Katz tenure (Dec 42 to Feb 43, barely 2 months) at WPB was Donald M. Nelson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Nelson
What did Katz do on the WPB? Well, he was invited by Vice Chairman Ferdinand Eberstadt to be his "special assistant" in implementing his "Controlled Material Plan".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Eberstadt
Why did Katz leave so soon?
There were many insane mini wars going on in the WPB. Not only were the two head honchos in competition, Nelson and Eberstadt but there were different factions within WPB loyal to Army/Navy and others loyal to Air Force despite these being Civilian posts. Eberstadt may have been an investment banker but his role as the Chairman for Army Navy Munitions Board during WW2 and service in the Army in the Great War formed loyalties he could not abandon.
Basically, Eberstadt, who btw was instrumental in founding CIA & NSC, wouldn't release Army tools for the Air guys to use on their airplanes, and was only at WPB for 5 months before Nelson forced him out but is still recognized as being very impactful on WPB. He was a Wall Street guy, but in consolidation with his Army brethren, Eberstadt enlisted in Artillery after being canned at the WPB a symbolic gesture. Katz as Eberstadts right hand man had to leave with him.
There were two Gruens on the WPB. Edward Dietrich Gruen and his wife Bertha Gruen (maiden: Asch). This is one of Frank Gruens son's. Frank is, of course, the most reserved & least well known of the original Gruen Brothers. Bertha was an economist British & U.S. Raw Materials Finance Committee for WPB & Edward was a "senior industrial economist". Their WPB tenure spanned prior, during, & post Katz time at there. Whoa way more than I meant to write. Carry on.
Matthias
[Updated on: Thu, 13 May 2021 08:10] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: The VeriThin Dix [message #14867 is a reply to message #14858] |
Fri, 14 May 2021 01:27 |
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JackW
Messages: 1931
Registered: May 2013
Location: Denver
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Gruen Authority
Head Janitor
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Ephemerald wrote on Thu, 13 May 2021 00:02 I must say, its quite uncommon to be able to find out so much info on someone who isn't a relative or famous - good work! And didn't even have to contact his family? Wow.
It is practically cyber stalking. I said as much to Ellie Goldstein's son when he and I spoke. I figure it could be unnerving for the person/family at the other end. Hence why I was rather reluctant to contact one of the Goldstein family members. For Doc's watch, the Marshall family friend that contacted, and whom I have spoken with, is the one that advised not to contact... saying, the living daughter would be quite upset. And I think I know why about the watch: I'm fairly certain that Doc was wearing it at the time he was killed.
Jenneke wrote on Thu, 13 May 2021 15:07Fun to read the story behind the watch. Not the “they lived happily ever after” story for this family.
It is not a happy ending story. But that drives home that as a vintage watch collector, that there were real people connected to these watches before whom have lived their lives. It is a sobering thought, to say the least.
All I know is based on hard work & writing by others. I can only aspire to augment this body of knowledge. If I am wrong it is because of my own failings. -me
"If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Newton
[Updated on: Tue, 18 May 2021 01:08] Report message to a moderator |
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