09/01/2026
Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson all wore the Cricket alarm watch. Revue Thommen produced it when they were part of the same holding group as Vulcain. Ever heard of them? Probably not.
This company patented an interchangeable components system in 1870, pushing Swiss watchmaking toward mass production. They dropped watches from airplanes in the 1930s to test durability... they kept ticking. They supplied cockpit instruments to over 80 air forces and aviation fleets. 173 years of serious innovation.
Then the Quartz Crisis hit. The parent company restructured, spinning off the aviation division. The watch brand got licensed out, bounced between owners, and the legacy got severed. The aviation company still dominates globally as Thommen Aircraft Equipment AG. The watch brand nearly vanished.
Vintage Revue Thommen pieces cost a fraction of comparable Rolex or Omega. Presidential connection, Swiss precision, zero hype tax.
What other forgotten Swiss giants should we dig into?
