Swiss watch brand
Revue Thommen: history, models and value
Revue Thommen began in 1853 as a watch factory in Waldenburg near Basel, made its own movements and aircraft instruments, and is a name many owners know from a parent's or grandparent's watch.
- Founded
- 1853
- Founder(s)
- Community of Waldenburg; from 1859 Gédéon Thommen and Louis Tschopp
- Owner / group
- Brand rights held by GT Thommen Watch AG since 2012
Revue Thommen: origins and founding
In 1853 the community of Waldenburg, in today's canton of Basel-Landschaft, founded the Société d'Horlogerie à Waldenbourg. The main goal was to create jobs in the valley. In 1859 Gédéon Thommen and Louis Tschopp took over and restructured the factory. After Tschopp left, it carried Thommen's name.
Founders and family
Gédéon Thommen was a local industrialist; besides the watch factory he also founded the Waldenburgerbahn, the narrow-gauge railway in the valley. The Thommen name stayed with the company and the brand. In 2012 Andreas Thommen was one of the founders of GT Thommen Watch AG, which bought the watch brand.
Revue Thommen history and milestones
- 1870 to 1890: production grows from about 4,000 to 13,000 watches a year.
- 1905: the company becomes a joint-stock company. Around this time the Revue name is registered. Earlier wristwatches were sold as "GT".
- 1916: the first aircraft chronograph for the Swiss Air Force. Aviation instruments became a second business.
- 1930s and 1940s: the Revue Sport, a waterproof sports watch and the brand's longest-running model. Revue movements were also used in military watches, including Vertex watches for the British market.
- 1961: Revue, Buser, Phénix and Vulcain form the group MSR (Manufactures d'Horlogerie Suisses Réunies) in Biel. Revue makes components. Marvin joins in 1976.
- 1987: the Revue Thommen brand name is introduced.
- 2000: MSR is dissolved. Thommen keeps the aircraft instruments and licenses watch production to Grovana.
- 2012: GT Thommen Watch AG acquires the Revue Thommen brand. In 2015 it gives the production and distribution rights to Swiss Initiative Limited.
The aircraft instrument business went its own way: it was renamed Thommen Aircraft Equipment in 2015 and later moved from Waldenburg to Muttenz.
Famous Revue Thommen models
- Revue Sport: the classic waterproof sports watch launched in the 1930s.
- GT watches: early wristwatches signed GT.
- Military watches: Revue-made watches for the German military (1939 to 1944) and Vertex watches for the British forces.
Movements and technique
Revue was a real manufacture that made its own movements for decades. Known calibres include the GT 59, used in military and civilian watches into the 1950s, the robust GT77SC, the hand-wound GT81 with a large balance and a fine regulator, the GT80 hammer (bumper) automatic, and the Calibre 87. In the MSR years the group developed the Exactomatic automatic movement, used from 1969.
Revue Thommen today
Since 2000 the watch brand and the aircraft instrument company have been separate. Revue Thommen watches have been made under license, and the brand rights were bought by GT Thommen Watch AG in 2012.
Revue Thommen prices on the pre-owned market
Revue Thommen is not widely known among collectors, so most vintage pieces are affordable. That can make them good value. Interest is highest for military watches, early Revue Sport models and watches with the brand's own calibres, especially in original condition. Later quartz and licensed models usually bring modest sums. Original dials, untouched cases and a working movement matter more than anything else, and military pieces need careful checking of their markings.
How to recognise a genuine Revue Thommen
On vintage pieces, open the caseback (or have a watchmaker do it) and check that the movement is signed and matches the period of the watch. Military watches are often copied or assembled from mixed parts, so check that case markings, dial and movement belong together. Redials are common on older watches. See our guide on how to spot a fake watch.
What is your Revue Thommen worth?
Send us photos of the dial, the caseback and, if possible, the movement through our free watch value estimate. For estates or insurance, a written watch appraisal is available.
Frequently asked questions
Is Revue Thommen a good watch?
Revue Thommen is a Swiss brand with roots in 1853 that made its own movements for decades. Vintage pieces with in-house calibres are respected and often affordable.
Are Revue Thommen and Thommen aircraft instruments the same company?
They share a history but have been separate since 2000. The aircraft instrument business became Thommen Aircraft Equipment, while the watch brand has been licensed and later sold to GT Thommen Watch AG.
How much is a vintage Revue Thommen worth?
Most vintage pieces are affordable. Military watches, early Revue Sport models and watches with in-house calibres in original condition are the most sought after.
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