Revue Thommen Classical 82 Round

Around some brands it is so quiet that you sometimes wonder if they still exist. For sure, Revue Thommen is such a brand. Why it ever got quiet around this brand is actually quite a mystery.

Revue Thommen has a long history of manufacturing movements of which the latest one was introduced in 2006. This by itself should be enough to make connoisseurs and collectors interested, but Revue Thommen stays an almost secret tip for people who are looking for quality and understatement. Will the Classical 82 Round change that?

To answer that question right away; this is highly doubtful. Actually, it is even doubtful that the Classical 82 Round ever will be sold in high numbers, and that makes it even braver for Revue Thommen to introduce it on the current market. Its size will be the main reason why most people probably don’t consider this watch in the first place (taken that they know the brand). Its case is 36mm in diameter and with today’s fashion that is small. Is it too small? Not when you realize that three of the best selling men’s watches, Seiko 5, Rolex Datejust and Cartier’s Santos Galbee, share this size or are even smaller. Revue Thommen offers this pretty straightforward designed case in either stainless steel or 18k pink gold.

The hands and hour markers on all different models are pink gold and the dial is offered in either black or silver. Because of the plain case, the dial looks more retro then it actually is. A closer look reveals very modernly shaped hands and Luminova dots above each hour marker. The double markers at 3 and 9 o’clock make it easy to read the time, and also the Arabic numerals on the 12 and 6 o’clock position enhance easy reading of time. The 6 is partially cut off because the Classical 82 Round has a so-called ‘six-eater’; a small sub seconds display at 6 o’clock that takes up most of the space where the 6 should have been.

The 82 in this Revue Thommen’s name stands for its caliber number. The GT 82 is a manufacture caliber that Revue Thommen has been making since 1952. It is in almost every way a classical hand wound movement. It has 17 jewels, runs at 18.000 A/h with a power reserve of 40 hours when fully wound. It has a centrally mounted hour and minute hand, while a small seconds hand is located at 6 o’clock. Revue Thommen put a sapphire crystal back into the watch so that you can admire the movement. The crystal at the dial side is sapphire crystal as well. An alligator strap is the finishing touch on this watch.

It’s not very likely that Revue Thommen Classical 82 Round will become a popular watch, but that is perhaps all the more reason for its future owners to purchase one. The 36 mm size is ideal for a man who enjoys a classical size, and also for many women this Classical 82 Round offers more then enough to be interesting. A manufacture movement with a pedigree that dates back more then half a century, combined with a classic design with a modern touch, makes this Revue Thommen a solid choice for anybody who wants to enjoy the best of both era’s. And let’s be honest, in pink gold with a black dial on a black alligator strap this watch is more tempting than you might want to admit…

The Revue Thommen Classical 82 Round has a recommended retail price of 2,100 EURO (including tax) and the MSRP for the 18 carat rose gold version is 5,850 EURO.

More info about the collection and all 10 manufacture movements can be found on the Revue Thommen website.