Revue Thommen used to be a very highly regarded brand in the middle of the last century. Their alarm watch, the "cricket" was known as the "President's watch" since several US presidents supposedly wore it. Nowadays they have limited distribution in the west and use middle grade ETA movements. I like some of their designs, especially in the "Airspeed" line. But they are few and far between on the watch forums that I frequent.

 

wasnt that the vulcain?

 

Exactly, I was looking at their Airspeed and thinking to myself, USD1300 nego. That seems to be a good deal. Over here in Malaysia I've only ever seen ONE watch shop carry the brand though.
Thanks so much Andy. Have you by any chance owned one of the brand's wathces?

 

I own 3 RT's - all Airspeed chronos (V 7750) in different variations - and, in my experience, these watches are some of the finest machines made to tell the time. At around USD$1300, I cannot complain! It's insane actually, this price, if you ask me. But I think this is possible bcz RT does not advertise using celebrities. Otherwise, they would go easily for USD$3,000+.

Of course, one can always get pedantic about the finer points of the movement, and thus one can therefore pay thousands more if one is convinced by the pedantry. I am not a subscriber to that school of thought. I am strictly of the opinion that there is, when it comes to watches, a line beyond which one is often paying for things bordering on, or are actually stuff of the imaginary.

Valjoux 7750 movement is simply unbeatable in its proven reliability and performance. That some people complain that it (off the shelf) is not "exotic" enough for them makes me fear the worst for the future of mankind. It's just too much "religion" for me, this bizarre, fetishistic "faith" that a watch costing $5K+ HAS TO BE better than one that costs under 2K.

RT's finish - the case, the accuracy of the movement - is first class. That is to say, it is right WHERE it ought to be at that price point. The build is solid and the weight is hefty. The new generation of RT's feel a lot more solid to me than the old ones. (Yes, a lot of people swoon over the Lemania - and, in my experience, most don't know why they are swooning.)
Chrono24 has them for around 1,300 or so. That is a dang good deal in my book. But the shipping from Germany is always high (50 euros??). Sometimes you can find one on the Bay for a lot less.

Anyway, my point: RT is one of the most 'honestly priced' watch brands on the market today, along with Seiko and Aristo. By contrast, Tag H (and many others!) is one of the least honest - having to pay Brad so much outta 'my' pocket, potentially. Uh, no thanks.

 

great response.

 

Have you looked into Sinn watches? There you'll get top grade 7750's.

 

i like this one.

 

Thank you chronopolis, that was entertaining to read and definitely very helpful. I was actually one of those guys who would 'swoon' over a Tag. Aquaracer Chrono or Carrera Day/Date to be specific, something about it was so appealing and well, movie stars wear it. After looking around, I realised that the look of watch I want is actually being produced by so many different companies at much cheaper prices. So much variety out there that I'm seriously boggled. Even though I'm looking at other brands, that's not to say I wouldn't spring for a Tag if it was priced right though. 3 sub dial and the day/date feature, at that moment that has me captivated. It's weird, a month ago I was wearing a USD100 Casio and a Kenneth Cole, now I'm suddenly looking at watches over USD1000 and doing hours of research.

Lol.EUR50 for shipping is a norm when you live in Malaysia. I've actually emailed the seller regarding the watches. I'm seriously interested in going for the Pilot Professional or the Airspeed. But they havn't gotten back to me as yet. Neither has Mr.Gunter Steinhart, I might actually just buy a Steinhart if no one gets back to me. Nothing but good things about his watches. Produced by the same company that produces Revue Thommen too.

Thank you Noggenfogger, I've actually had a look at Sinn and love the ruggedness and design. I really like that they've taken things to the next level and actually produced components themselves to modify their movements with. They may use a very common movement that almost everyone else is using, but they do it in a very new way. I actually can't stop looking at the 103 and 356 models. Unfortunately, they're a little out of the budget at the moment. Basically looking for a sub USD1000 new or used watch at the moment. But there's always some flexibility.

 

Why does one brand charge $5,000 while another charges $2,000 for practically identical watches?
It is a mystery, for sure, but the short and cynical (but true) answer is: becz they CAN!
It's none of my concern certainly what brand A needs to do to stay afloat, and if they 'CAN' somehow succeed in projecting that certain "image" that gets people to throw money at them, well, good for them. But such throwers I would call just 'WI', not WIS, with a clear emphasis on the second letter. I mean, the objective in being a WIS is really hinges on 'S' does it not?

I forgot to mention O&W (Ollech & Wajs) as another excellent brand that is honestly priced, and therefore often snubbed by the snotty, the snooty, and the snobby.
GNOMON in Singapore carries them, I think. Ask for Anders - terrific bloke.

Thank you chronopolis, that was entertaining to read and definitely very helpful. I was actually one of those guys who would 'swoon' over a Tag. Aquaracer Chrono or Carrera Day/Date to be specific, something about it was so appealing and well, movie stars wear it. After looking around, I realised that the look of watch I want is actually being produced by so many different companies at much cheaper prices. So much variety out there that I'm seriously boggled.... It's weird, a month ago I was wearing a USD100 Casio and a Kenneth Cole, now I'm suddenly looking at watches over USD1000 and doing hours of research.

 

Ollech and Wajs, never heard of them before 2 weeks ago. But read up a bit on them too. Living in Malaysia, Gnomon is one of the first sites I checked out. Actually gonna leave to Singapore for a few days tomorrow. See what the got there, big fuss about the casino.

Watches get money thrown at them probably the same reason hotels, restaurants, iPhones and just about any other luxury good item can command a high price. The sell sizzle and not steak. First rule of marketing. The world has become a place of over-advertising to the extent that we are no longer able to make a decision without some brand name popping into our heads. Most of the time we refer to an item by the name of it's most popular brand irregardless of it's actual brand.

 

I reviewed the Airspeed Quartz Chronograph in 2008 - review here: https://www.watchuseek.com/f7/perfect-pilots-watch-almost-review-revue-thommen-chronograph-217215.html I had two of these, then sold them to fund a Fortis and a Lemania 5100 auto version, respectively. I sold the Lemania 5100 version to fund a Fortis Lemania chrono, but I've just bought another quartz version. Well, two, actually. I got an older one with the tritium dial, and a brand new one with luminova and will be selling the old one very shortly, once I've had a new movement fitted. They're are an excellent watch. As others have observed, the build quality is superb, especially the titanium versions:
New build:

Older version:

Well worth a look. PM me if you want to discuss further:

 

I think several of the old RT models are classics and very collectible. Cricket comes to mind but there are others. The more recent models are also very attractive. The RT retro styled Sport 30 and 50 watches are interesting. For me the problem has been access. I can't find a dealer with an inventory. NOS models seem to pop up on Ebay and other sites but that's about all I've seen.

 

There's a German dealer that sells both on eBay and on chrono24 and when I contacted them, they were quite helpful. The dealer is selling new RT's for less than USD1.3k and negotiable at that. Amazing deal I'd say, Seeing as all other sites I've seen price them at over USD2k. Of course, models would differ. (Not affliated with chrono24 in any way. Merely liking a good watch 'priced honestly', as chronopolis would say.)

 

I bought one from a German eBay seller last year - fair quality for the price (just over £400 then, but that included 19% GST). I don't think they're doing auctions with no start price any more.