Revue Thommen. Since 1853

Contemporary witnesses of watchmaking skill.

Since 1853.

After over 150 years, it is still the watchmaker’s inventive talent that sets the balance wheel in motion. Every day countless contemporary witnesses of watchmaking skill see the light of day at

Revue Thommen. Revue Thommen’s founding fathers would be pleased. The watch manufacturer in the Swiss region of Jura near Basel is alive and ticking. Its watchmaking masters produce manufacture movements by hand, each one in itself a unique article.

Revue Thommen is one of the oldest Swiss watch brands, and has always been worthy of the latin-derived term “manufacture”. Over 100 different GT movements have been produced manufactum–by hand. The little town of Waldenburg founded the “Société d’Horlogerie à Waldenburg” in 1853 because of the high level of unemployment. Gédéon Thommen took over the factory in 1859. From that moment on the factory flourished and annual production increased from 4000 in 1870 to 13000 watches in 1890. Again and again Thommen was the talk of the town with its astounding inventions. The son Alphonse carried on his father’s tradition. He placed enormous value on excellent quality and unfailingly wanted to play a leading role in development.

Several American presidents relied on the “Cricket” alarm wristwatch. With the arrival of the “Revue Sport”, wristwatches satisfied the most rigorous requirements for the very first time. Without qualified watchmakers Revue Thommen wouldn’t be able to develop and produce mechanical watch movements. For this reason the training of apprentices is of utmost importance. In this way Revue Thommen conserves and fosters its know-how in the construction of its timepieces and a large element of its independence.

Revue Thommen watches were a natural product extension for the company that started as a premier supplier of airline dashboard gauges. Revue Thommen watches are authentic tool watches since they are designed for pilots. Revue Thommen's experience is obviously present in their watches -- in the legibility of the dials and especially in their anti-reflective crystals. Revue Thommen Airspeed watches look like they do not have a crystal. The good news is that the watches are still very reasonably priced. Revue Thommen also makes the Cricket alarm watch. The company gave this watch to American presidents for many years. I have owned a number of Revue Thommen watches, and I have found them to be of excellent quality and intereting designs. (C) www.watchfinder.com