Why don't we talk more about ...... Revue Thommen?
In 1853 the town of Waldenburg, Switzerland, founds the "Société d'Horologerie à Waldenburg" in order to combat high unemployment. In 1859, Gédéon Thommen takes over the "Société and renames the Company "Gédéon Thommen - Uhrenfabrikation" where they produce cylinder pocket and wrist watches. In the late 1800s Thommen starts producing lever watches and the business grows to producing 13,000 watches annually.
In 1890 Gédéon Thommen dies and his son Alphonse takes over the company and renames it "Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG". 1916 the Swiss Air Force issued the order to THOMMEN to design and develop an aircraft chronograph. That initial involvement in aviation would shape the company’s future. In 1936 the production of aviation instruments becomes the second main activity of Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG. In 1947 they develop the world-famous "Cricket" alarm watch. Various American presidents wear a Cricket, which is why it is also called "the president's watch". Many new movements are developed.
In the early 1960s the MSR Holding is founded. It brings together the Revue, Vulcain, Buser Phenix and Marvin Brands under one umbrella. 1969 the first Saltarello collection is launched. This model is based on the legendary Thommen "Springeruhr GT" watch of 1885. In 1987 the brand Revue Thommen is launched which is used internationally for both the company’s watches and aircraft components. In 2000 the MSR Holding is dissolved and the company Vulcain & Studio SA liquidated. 2001 Grovana Uhrenfabrik AG takes over the production and worldwide distribution of Revue Thommen watches. Following an interruption of several years, Grovana resumes the production of its own manufacture movements for Revue Thommen watches.
My name is Rich and I am building a collection of unique complications. I know it sounds more like the way you start a watch museum and not a personal collection. So far I have a Tourbillion, Retrogra...
Thank you for this. I'm always eager to read about the various manufacturers and how they developed. 🤝
Thank you for this. I'm always eager to read about the various manufacturers and how they developed. 🤝
My pleasure. I am happy to try to share valuable content.
Many classic era Wittnauer contain Revue movements. They are often of the better sort.
Great post! But to specifically answer your question...
This is why we don't talk about Revue Thommen now...
The Swiss homage watch company. I think the only thing Swiss is likely the movement and the marketing budget.
This is the only RT I have in my collection...purchased during my innocent naive days...
I found a late 80 s sample at my local
https://www.watchcrunch.com/WatchYourIntruder/posts/support-your-local-ad-part-2-revue-thommen-26406
I posted this a little while back, but RT is now back in family hands and being run by Andreas Thommen.
Another little tidbit is that
https://revuethommenusa.com is not actually affiliated with RT and their official site is in fact http://thommenwatches.com/ as there’s no official licensee in the USA at the moment.
When I was last in touch with Andreas he mentioned there would be some new models in the pipeline so I’m very much looking forward to that.
Anyway here’s my RT which was produced while Grovana was the licensee.
I found a late 80 s sample at my local
https://www.watchcrunch.com/WatchYourIntruder/posts/support-your-local-ad-part-2-revue-thommen-26406
Very nice watch
I posted this a little while back, but RT is now back in family hands and being run by Andreas Thommen.
Another little tidbit is that
https://revuethommenusa.com is not actually affiliated with RT and their official site is in fact http://thommenwatches.com/ as there’s no official licensee in the USA at the moment.
When I was last in touch with Andreas he mentioned there would be some new models in the pipeline so I’m very much looking forward to that.
Anyway here’s my RT which was produced while Grovana was the licensee.
Thanks for adding more of the story which I did not know.
You’re most welcome mate. That’s why we have this great little community so we can all chip in where we can 👍
Thanks a lot for this history!
I’ve seen some RT watches, and searched it up here 💪