gatorcpa
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I believe that the original Ruetter patent...
...called for the clock to be wound by the rising and falling of mercury in a bellows, similar to a barometer. The first models were very fragile and difficult to repair without unsafe exposure to the mercury inside. This is why we sometimes see references to these clocks winding based on changes in barometric pressure instead of temperature.
Later models (beginning around 1930) used ethyl choride, a gas that boils at room temperature, as a winding medium. The same principal is used today.
Here's my Atmos, a Heritage Round model from about 1970:
The cost of entry for a vintage Atmos isn't as much as you think. But they are still very expensive to repair.
Excellent compilation of advertising!
gatorcpa
Vintage Ads: The Series – Part #8 Atmos
Hello Vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Lovers, My vacation is coming to an end… But don’t worry; I will continue this series of posts! It just might take awhile longer between the parts… For my next part I thought I should highlight the Atmos – the perpetual moti...
Inundated with Information.. Your black books are treasures !! .. So interesting :) :-o
My friend, you did it again: - this time a travel with AIR ! Found the comparison of the European ATMOS ads with the US ones rewarding: .. discovered some other things there, I had not known or seen, yet. Nice education, Blomman - Kind thx !! 1/ One Q fir...
I believe that the original Ruetter patent...
...called for the clock to be wound by the rising and falling of mercury in a bellows, similar to a barometer. The first models were very fragile and difficult to repair without unsafe exposure to the mercury inside. This is why we sometimes see reference...
Thx for the education.. Very kind & informative.. :))
Learned something.. Also appreciated the Vintage Atmos piece , - thank you for the share, gatorcpa ! Best, hs
Thank you for the information!
Didn’t know that they changed to ethyl chloride as early as 1930. Classic Atmos you got – I really need to get me one of these! Best Blomman
Ahemm.. Scratching my head ( & wallet) as well.. 1931! ..
- patience.. says the head, But so nice.. whispers the heart, No way now.. Absolutely no way.. says the purse, - Wait and see.. knows the soul ;-) The old game, just revisited, - but luckily, I have gathered some wisdom, at times at least, Best, hs
You are too kind, HS!
Thank you very much, my friend! Well, your first Q - Gatorcpa explained. As for your second Q – how could I ever forget?! Such a beautiful Atmos! Best Blomman
Wonderful post Blomman
thanks for taking the time to compile this. The Atmos was indeed not a Jaeger invention, it was based on a prototype invented by Reutter in 1928 and further commercialized by the French company CGR until JLC Took over in 1935. I would have to agree as to ...
CGR?
Hi Asi, Happy you liked it! Thank you very much for the information. Would you please elaborate what CGR stands for? Best Blomman
Sure
CGR=Compagnie Generale de Radio. Their Atmos (Atmos 1) was based on mercury/ammonia rather than ethyl chloride which was used when JLC took over (Atmos 2). By the way, the 'atmospheric' or 'barometric' clock was probably invented by Cornelis Drebbel in th...
Very interesting!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Asi! So many things I don’t know about this brand! Best Blomman
Your "time machine" is amazing
Blomman, You should publish all those wonderful posts on a book. I'm saving, each one, for future references. Thank you very much.
I wish I had a time machine…
If I had I would go back and get me some Grails! Thank you, my friend for your kind words! Hope you will get use of the posts in the future! Best Blomman
Bravo!
Thanks for the information. It's amazing. And my Atmos heart does beat silently in living room, in a bit slower pace though...=) Anzu
Would you care to share a pic of your Atmos?
Thank you, Anzu – much appreciated! As I still don’t have a Atmos, would you care to share a pic of yours? Best Blomman
Here you go...
From the serial number, it's likely to be made in 1960s... And it's on the slow side, running around -20 seconds per day currently... So i need to regulate the time once per week... For a 50-year-old timepiece, i think it's acceptable, but may take it to ...
A classic! :)
Looks great! Thank you for showing us your beautiful Atmos! Best Blomman
There some very nice ads, here too.
The ad from 1933, whose title is " Perpetuelle ? " is just amazing... I also noticed on an ad from 1957 ( one you posted here, in this post ), a superb Galaxy / Mystery dial. the Atmos is the purpose, it is also the context... Fascinating, truly. Thanks, ...
Perpetuelle?
Yes, that one is really great! I thought you would like the “Snake” – almost Vampire like… Yes, so many interesting details in all the ads. Will try to put something together with all the Galaxy / Mystery ads some day. Question, was there ever a JLC Galax...
Not for the US Market, only, Blomman.
I am working on a topic about the Mystery / Galaxy, as I had the pleasure to have one in my hands, for several weeks. But I can just tell you that it was also for the European market, and that the diversity on this model is something very impressive, also...
Thanks for this Blomman and for the entire series so far
Very interesting and informative. A lot of effort obviously. I like the 1931 as well. Perhaps one day I will get one but I need somewhere to put it first. Regards, Richard.
It takes some time…
But it’s totally worth it! So much details I notice when I write these posts! Thank you, Richard! If I could afford the 1931 – I would find a place to put it! Best Blomman
Fantastic! Really enjoying your series..
Always found the Atmos fasinating and its cool that the technology remains relatively unchanged. Very cool and thank you again blomman!
Very kind of you, OC!
It’s my pleasure to share this with Purist friends! Best Blomman
re: Part #8
thanks for another informative post! I've always been fascinated by the ATMOS collection, lots of good reading! -MW
It’s a very interesting travel in time…
...writing these posts! Thank you, MW! If work allows it – more will come! Best Blomman
I wish these fantastic series never ends...
As greedy as I may sound. Thank you so much Blomman for your great efforts. We learn a lot. Ed
Everything comes to an end…
But I will do my best that the end will not come soon, Ed! Thank you very much for your kind words! Best Blomman
excellent Part #8...
... it is an interesting read on your post as usual. i remember there was a special booklet for the ATOMS attached in one watch magazine, i just took it out and read it again. the history and mechanic behind this ATOMS is very interesting... from the book...
Very interesting, Stefan!
Great ad, looks like a mid-late 70’s or 80’s ad. Didn’t know so many famous persons had a Atmos. Would you please tell me which magazine the booklet is from? Thank you, my friend! Best Blomman
the special issue for celebrating 175 years...
...the special issue of the ATMOS was published along with the TIMEWERKE magazine. it is a very good reference if people like ATMOS. it contains the history of ATMOS and explanatory of how this perpetual clock works and of course some interesting stuff re...
Another document to hunt!
Thank you for the pics, Stefan! Now I have another document I have to hunt down… Best Blomman
Thanks again for another great article, really
enjoyed the read and your commentary. Much appreciated. Best to all, Tim
You have been to the LGM and the Atmos workshop…
So you know these very well! Thank you kindly, Vte! Best Blomman
some more history about Atmos clocks
The question was... "I was under the impression that the Atmos was a JLC invention. And if that is true, why didn’t they label the clocks or at least the ads? Was it because some other company was involved? Or did they lack confidence in the clocks? " And...
Thank you very much for the additional information!
Very happy that people still read some of my old posts here! :) Yes, after I wrote this post I learned that the Atmos was infact not a JLC invention. A followup question: Do you know which version (caliber) that was in the Jubilé collection 1958? And also...
atmos jubilé
The Jubilé Atmos is dated 1983 (and not 58, what is logical as jubilé means 50th anniversary) The Jubilé Atmos caliber is the 550, the clock looks externally like an Atmos I (but with a gas cartridge in place of mercury.) In fact technically the watch mov...
Thank you, but...
I was refering to is this one: It was included in what JLC called the 125 Jubilé collection, released in 1958. Included in the Jubilé collection was the Geophysic and Memovox Parking among others. Best Blomman ...
Atmos VI
This Atmos looks indeed to be a VI with 529 caliber having a case fixed by side-pins, a loking lever under the front base (not under the dial), the only apparent difference with the standard VI is the balance wheel with dots (not stripes) looking as the b...
Cal 529...
Thank you! I have also noticed the wheel decoration. Mine doesn't have the Jubilé "dots"... Any idée about serial number for 1958? Best Blomman ...