David

Mearto specialist

Hello Jeff, Thank you for sending in your antique pocket watch to mearto.com for an appraisal. I shall try to help you with that today. TITLE: Gent’s 19’’’ (American size 16), gold filled, pendant wound and pendant set, keyless, open face pocket watch, retailed by Max Schindler (1848-1928), jewelers in the lower Silesia town of West Altwasser in Poland, and made by Revue-Thommen SA. Watchmakers of Waldenburg, Switzerland, circa 1915-1920. DESCRIPTION: CASE – 47mm in diameter, this is a three leaf, gold filled, open face pocket watch case with an engine turned back cover engraved at the center with a foliate shield shaped cameo for the owner’s initials. The inside of the cover and cuvette are both marked 2821078. There is a suppressed ball fluted gilt metal pendant and bow placed at the twelve position. The cuvette is not engraved on the outer side. DIAL – This is a white enameled 24 hour dial with Breguet Arabic hours (1-12), segmented closed bar minute track with the second Arabic hour chapter(13-24) enameled into the intervals between segments of the minute track. There is a subsidiary seconds dial @6. There are fenestrated gilt brass cathedral hands and the upper dial is marked for the retail jeweler. MOVEMENT: This is a split three quarter plate gilt brass movement, the Revue- Gédéon Thommen Calibre 30, made with fifteen jewels and 2 adjustments in a 19’’’ lignes movement with a diameter of 42 mm vibrating at 18000 beats per hour with a power reserve of 32 hours. Such movements were made by Revue G.T with 7, 15 or 16 jewels. Bimetallic balance wheel with Breguet hairspring and the Swiss made index regulator marked with English and French initials for faster and slower. The plates are marked for the maker, “Revue, G.T”. CONDITION: CASE – Some spots of rust and silver oxidation on the case cover with modest amount of scratches on the inside of the covers. DIAL – Good with a shield shaped crack in the dial between the hours four and five. MOVEMENT – In very good condition and signed, considered functional with a cleaning. HISTORY: Gédéon Thommen-REVUE: 1853: The small town of Waldenburg founds the “Société d’Horlogerie à Waldenburg”, due to the high level of unemployment at this time. 1859: Louis Tschopp and Gédéon Thommen take over the „Société d’Horlogerie à Waldenburg“. 1869: Louis Tschopp withdraws from the company. Gédéon Thommen becomes the sole owner and renames the company “Gédéon Thommen – Uhrenfabrikation”. 1870: Gédéon Thommen patents the “System der Auswechselbarkeit der einzelnen Werkbestandteile” and the “Remontoir-Patent” . 1875: In parallel to previous production of cylinder watches, Thommen starts producing Lever watches. 1885: The construction of the smallest narrow-gauge rail way in Europe from Liestal to Waldenburg leads to the invention of the “Springeruhr GT” watch. 1890: Production reaches over 13 000 watches annually. Gédéon Thommen dies unexpectedly as a result of an insidious illness. His son Alphonse takes over the company. 1905: Alphonse Thommen transforms “Gédéon Thommen – Uhrenfabrikation” into a limited company. From now on the company is called “Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG”. 1936: The production of aviation instruments becomes the second main activity of Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG. 1947: The Waldenburg watchmakers develop the world famous “Cricket “watch. Various American presidents wear a Cricket, which is why it is also called the president’s watch. 1950: Thommen develops various new watch movements, including the GT 82 movement. From this point on “Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG” is a completely independent company, which also produces watch components in parallel to its own movements. The factory produces the necessary machines for this in its own workshops. 1961: Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG develops the GT44, GT54, GT56, GT12 and GT14 movement ranges. The MSR Holding is founded. It brings together the Revue, Vulcain, Buser, Phoenix and Marvin brands under one umbrella. 1969: The first Saltarello collection is launched. This model is based on the legendary “Springeruhr GT” watch of 1885. 1987: Thommens Uhrenfabrik AG launches the double brand “Revue Thommen”. This brand now serves as the main brand for clear brand positioning on international markets. 1990: In the 90s Revue Thommen increases its production of aviation instruments and since then has supplied all the leading airplane manufacturers in the world. 2000: The MSR Holding is dissolved and the company Vulcain & Studio SA liquidated. 2001: Grovana Uhrenfabrik AG takes over the production and worldwide sales of Revue Thommen watches. 2002: Following an interruption of several years, Grovana resumes the production of own manufacture movements for Revue Thommen watches. The movement ranges GT44, GT54, GT56, GT12 and GT14 form the framework for this range. 2006: The first prototypes of the new GT60 movement design with power reserve, moon phase, small second hand and date hand are coming into existence. 2012-14: The newly formed GT Thommen Watch AG (GTWAG) acquires the full brand rights from Revue Thommen AG and production rights from Grovana Watch Company. 2015: REVUE THOMMEN watch trademark is now operated by Swiss Initiative Limited, managed by Roland Buser, and under the license of GT Thommen Watch AG for the sole production and worldwide distribution. COMPARABLES: https://www.chrono24.com/all/pocket-watch-revue-gt-pocket-watch--id2946298.htm#gref (OFFERED RETAIL FOR $356) https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/75144549_revue-14k-pink-gold-hunting-cased-pocket-watch (SOLD IN 14K ROSE GOLD FOR $1150 Euros.) https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/35177436_george-vi-silver-cased-half-hunter-vertex-revue-pocket (sold for 70 Great British Pounds) https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/53602015_revue-14k-yellow-gold-open-face-pocket-watch (sold for 320 Euros in 14k gold.) https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/tulasilber-hunting-cased-pocket-watch-M8O8Cz6Jhu (sold for $432) https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/gideon-thommen-pocket-watch-year-1900-QU0fhwcKP (sold for $95) PRICING: I believe the fair market value of your Revue-G.Thommen open face pocket watch in today’s market would fetch $150-$200 at auction. Retail prices, of course would be a bit higher. I hope this helps to further your understanding of this pocket watch. Thank you for using mearto.com. My best, David