Key Features
German military REVUE SPORT vintage 1940’s wristwatch, of medium size, and fully compliant with the Deutsche Heer Wermacht specifications: black dial, lume numerals and hands, a small seconds hand, steel waterproof caseback and waterproof winding crown, and finally a 15-jewel movement with shockproofing device. This particular model was so famous that Revue Thommen issued a limited edition replica in the 1950’s, but this watch is the original model.
This timepiece is a fairly standard model compared to others one can find, the only visible difference being its smaller size (31 versus 33-24mm). Although this smaller size does work perfectly on a 16-18mm strap. Our DH-DU-D German military issued watch catalogue contains a large number of other similar examples.
The old radium lume paint on the dial has been replaced with a safe, modern non-radium lume, aged slightly to give it a vintage look. It glows well even in halflight (See image).
About Revue Thommen
Revue Thommen, originally called The Waldenburg Watch Manufacturing Company, was bought by Gedeon Thommen 10 years after it was established in 1853 in Waldenburg, Northwest Switzerland. The company was relatively unsuccessful up until it was bought by Thommen, who brought it to much greater heights by speeding up production, producing 13,000 cylinder and lever watches between 1870 and 1890. His son, Alphons Thommen, changed the company name to the Thommen’s Watch Factories Ltd in 1905.
Thommen was one of the early pioneers of interchangeable parts, and thus the company’s factories became increasingly mechanised and automated. By the 1950’s, the Thommen factories in Waldenburg, Langenbruck, and Gelterkinden were producing over 200,000 watches per year under the Revue brand name. In 1961, Thommen, Vulcain, Buser, and Phénix joined together to form the Manufactures d’Horlogerie Suisse SA Réunis SA (MSR). Over the next decade, these firms became increasingly specialised, with Phénix producing movement components, and Vulcain, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, handling final assembly. But they continued to operate as separate businesses under MSR. The long-standing Marvin brand was also soon added.
In 1987, Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG launched the Revue Thommen brand. The company had become dependent on Asian markets during the 1980’s and 1990’s, and so were hard-hit by the financial crisis occurring at the end of the 90’s. In 1999, Revue shuttered its La Chaux-de-Fonds operation and transferred production back to Waldenburg to save on costs. However, the company was bankrupt by July 2000 and the Vulcain and Marvin brands divested.
In 2012, the rights to the name were acquired by Andreas Thommen, Roland Buser and Christopher Bitterl, members of the original watchmaking family, and reorganized as GT Thommen Watch AG (GTWAG). Since 2014, Grovana has sold its existing stock of watches under the Revue Thommen name, and as of 2020, this is the only source of Revue Thommen branded watches.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly. There is a 12-month guarantee, subject to the usage and care guidelines. The watch comes with a high-quality black, red and green striped strap.
Overview
Case and Strap
- Original small circular case.
- Chrome plated.
- Mineral crystal.
- Stainless steel screw caseback.
- Waterproof style winding crown.
- Dust-proof.
- New black, red and green striped nylon strap.
Dimensions:
- Width w/o crown 31 mm.
- Width w/ crown 33 mm.
- Full height 37 mm.
- Thickness 11 mm.
- Strap width 16 mm.
Dial and Hands
- Original matte black dial.
- Military style re-lumed Arabic numerals with fake vintage patina.
- “REVUE SPORT” curved signature below numeral 12 position.
- Small seconds subdial over numeral 6 position.
- Silver-tone ‘pencil’ style hands with lume (re-lumed).
Movement
- Swiss-made movement.
- Revue 56 caliber.
- 15 jewels.
- Manual winding.
- Incabloc shockproof.
- Geneva striped plates and bridges.
- Satin-brushed wheels.
- Polished screws.
Testing Results
- Testing duration: 2 weeks cyclic test.
- Average timekeeping range: 10-20 sec/day.
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- New striped nylon strap.
- 12-month guarantee.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
Links and Resources:
Revue Sport 1950’s Re-issue Example.
DH-D-DU German Military Watch Catalogue.
Revue Thommen Official Website.
Example 1: Revue Sport DH hallmarked German Military Watch, 1940’s.
Example 2: Revue Sport DH hallmarked German Military Watch, 1940’s.
