Twin Peak Set Decoration – Gruen Precision Wall Clock from the Double R Diner

For years, fellow Twin Peaks Blog author Vinnie Guidera and I have tracked down and identified numerous props and set decorations from Mark Frost and David Lynch’s groundbreaking television series. Vinnie even has several screen-used items in his collection. So you can imagine the thrill we get when an iconic screen-used set piece comes up for auction. This time, it’s the Gruen Precision wall clock found on the Double R Diner set during the first two seasons of Twin Peaks. The item’s provenance is doubly special as it’s from the collection long-time David Lynch crew member and on-set dresser, Mike Malone (or “MALONE” as some say).

GRUEN PRECISION WALL CLOCK FROM THE DOUBLE R DINER

Heritage Auctions listed the “Original Double R Diner Wall Clock from Seasons 1 and 2” of Twin Peaks on November 11, 2026. The starting bid was $1,000 and the auction continues until December 1, 2026. The clock comes from the collection of set dresser Mike Malone and will include a certificate of authenticity from Heritage Auctions.

Malone worked on the first two seasons of  Twin Peaks (1990-1991) and the 1992 feature film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me where was a crew member and an uncredited FBI Agent who helped Chester Desmond with the school bus arrests toward the beginning of the film. In Twin Peaks: The Return, he was a set dresser (seeing vacuuming sets in the behind-the-scenes footage) and played the “Man in Urinal” wearing a seersucker suit in Part 13. You can follow him on Instagram at @StateOfMalone.

The auction lot description reads:

Original Gruen Precision “Dualite” lighted wall clock from Double R Diner used in the first two seasons of Twin Peaks. Constructed of a domed vacuform semi-translucent body with aluminum bezel and plastic crystal over a creme and blue-colored face printed “GRUEN” “PRECISION”, verso retaining original electronics and protected with an original aluminum backing plate retaining original “Dualite Products Inc.” maker’s label printed “REPLACE WITH 40 WATT LAMPS ONLY”.

This vintage Gruen wall clock is prominently-featured in the Double R Diner throughout Seasons 1 and 2 of the original run of the beloved surrealist mystery show created by David Lynch. It can be seen mounted to a wall beside the kitchen window, where it is plugged in through the kitchen and lit prominently as a key set-dressing element in the dreamy Americana diner that becomes a character of its own throughout the series.

When the series was rebooted in 2017, the set design was reconstructed using different design elements. This instantly recognizable wall clock originates from the personal collection of a key crew member in the art department on the original series.

Clock measures 16.5″ x 18″ x 5″ and exhibits signs of age, wear, and handling associated with vintage set dressing including scuffs, surface grime, and signs of active use during production. Rear protective plate slightly loose on hinges, retaining later blue tape for sturdiness. Following production, the original shorter electrical power cord was replaced with a longer cord for ease of use. Electronics functional at time of cataloging. Reference Image Source: Heritage Auctions | Auction #162509 | Lot #51347 | March 2, 2025. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. 

In January 2023, fellow prop enthusiast Jason Mattson presented Rachel Bennett and Max Spears, owners of Twede’s Cafe since early 2020, with replicas of the Gruen clock and a bear trivet that’s seen in the first two seasons of the show. Previously, he had gifted Twede’s a replica of the Today’s StockPot Soup specials sign.

You can still spot the Jason’s clock in the diner today. But Heritage Auction has the original screen-used prop which is amazing!

WHO IS DUALITE PRODUCTS INC. AND GRUEN WATCH COMPANY?

Jack Applegate and William (Bill) Cobbe founded Dualite on Madison Road in Cincinnati, Ohio with a four-man team on September 16, 1947. They dreamed of creating custom signage for then booming signage industry. Dualite’s headquarters moved to Williamsburg, Ohio outside Ohio’s Queen City in 1963 after taking over a vacant office and factory formerly occupied by The Williamsburg Box Company. The sign company built two expansions in 1987 and 1988 respectively, and is still the largest employer in Williamsburg today. You can find them online at Dualite.com.

Gruen Watch Company was once one of the largest watch manufacturers in the United States. Founded in 1894 by German-born watchmaker Dietrich Grün, the Cincinnati-based company operated until about 1958. Dietrch changed the spelling of his last name to “Gruen” because the letter ü does not exist in the English language.

In 1952, Gruen contacted Dualite to develop what became a groundbreaking indoor clock called the “bubble clock.” This unique concept combined advertising signage and a timekeeping mechanism for businesses. Three of the most popular versatile models included The Champ, The Fanfare, and The Sovereign. While I have not identified this particular style but the clock was most likely manufactured at some point between 1952-1958.

GRUEN PRECISION WALL CLOCK APPEARANCES IN TWIN PEAKS

The first appearance of the Gruen Precision wall clock at the Double R Diner takes place in episode 1.004. The camera pans across the diner’s center island to Norma Jennings (Peggy Lipton) and Toad. The clock briefly appears out of focus during the camera’s movement.

A few moments later in episode 1.004, Maddy Ferguson is seen entering the diner. The illuminated clock is seen in the background.

Two episodes later, Shelly Johnson is seen standing next to the Double R Diner’s kitchen window. We get a better look at the Dualite clock face.

The clock shines in episode 1.006 as Shelly gets two cups of coffee for Special Agent Dale Cooper and Sheriff Harry S. Truman after they have a brief check in with Hank Jennings.

You can also see the clock in the first season finale, episode 1.007, when Hank and Norma Jennings have an after hours chat about Hank’s time in jail.

In the second season opener, episode 2.001, the clock is seen behind Hank Jennings as he salutes a departing Major Garland Briggs.

In episode 2.004, the clock is in the background when Norma Jennings receives a phone call while Toad eats a meal at the counter.

Norma then shares details with Hank about the call alerting her to the food critic.

After Hank tricks out the diner like “Christmas on the Fourth of July” in episode 2.004, we get one of the best looks at the Gruen Precision clock. Norma and he stand next to the clock as District Attorney Lodwick asks about using the restroom.

A slightly out-of-focus clock appears in episode 2.007 when Shelly Johnson speaks with Norma Jennings about leaving the diner to take care of Leo.

The bottom half of the clock is seen in episode 2.008 as Norma stands by the diner’s kitchen window.

Two episodes later in 2.011, Norma serves Special Agent Roger Hardy (Peggy Lipton’s former Mod Squad castmate, Clarence Williams III) as an out-of-focus clock hangs in the background.

As Norma is preparing the leave the Double R Diner in episode 2.013, we get a great in-focus look at the clock face.

A partial illuminate clock glows in the distance during episode 2.014.

The clock is also seen in episode 2.016 as the camera follows Shelly Johnson moving behind the diner’s counter.

Part of the clock is then seen in the same episode as Norma Jennings speaks to her sister Annie on the telephone.

In episode 2.017, the clock is seen as Norma moves from behind the counter to greet her sister Annie Blackburn.

Part of the clock is seen as Shelly and Norma discuss the Miss Twin Peaks Contest.

A few moments later in the same episode, it’s partially seen as Shelly Johnson delivers food to a disguised Windom Earle.

The clock makes a very brief appearance in episode 2.019 after Shelly and Annie share a moment after Agent Cooper’s visit.

There is a fantastic shot of the clock as the camera pulls back from the Double R Diner counter in episode 2.020. This action takes place as Annie and Cooper share a tender moment before a container of dishes comes crashing down.

In penultimate episode of the second season, episode 2.021, Norma Jennings is seen carrying a tray with pies as the clock hangs on the diner’s wall. This will also be the final time the clock will appear in Twin Peaks.

Thank you to Mike Malone for offering up this iconic screen-used prop. Happy bidding!