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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

1930s Revue pocket watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch dates to the 1930s and contains a Swiss 17-jewel stem-winding movement identified by the seller as Revue. According to the seller, the movement includes screw-set jewels, a Breguet hairspring, and a snail cam regulator, protected beneath a hinged inner cuvette. The watch measures 53 mm in diameter excluding the stem and loop. It is housed in an Illinois Watch Case Company silver-filled case marked as 'The Russell', which the dealer notes is likely a replacement rather than original to the Revue movement. The white dial displays Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, and a sub-seconds dial.

Dial and front case view of 1930s Revue open-face pocket watch
Dial and front case view of 1930s Revue open-face pocket watch — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Revue
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a12698
Source-reported date
1930s
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Exterior Observations

The white dial features black Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position, and outer minute markers. The hands are blued steel spade style. The watch is fitted with an acrylic lens and a fluted, onion-shaped winding crown with a rounded bow.

A faint hairline crack is reported on the dial, extending from the center toward the 10 o'clock numeral. The seller states this is difficult to observe with the naked eye.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial has blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute markers.”
  • “The acrylic lens is in lovely condition.”
  • “There is a very faint hairline running from the centre towards number 10 but it is difficult to see with the naked eye.”

Movement and Internal Construction

The watch is powered by a 17-jewel stem-winding movement identified by the seller as a Revue manufacture. Technical features include screw-set jewels, a Breguet hairspring, and a snail cam regulator.

The movement is protected by a hinged inner cuvette. The seller notes that the hinge exhibits signs of an old repair but describes the repair as solid.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a good quality Swiss 17-jewel stem-winding movement with screw-set jewels, a Breguet hairspring and snail cam regulator.”
  • “The movement has been identified as by Revue.”
  • “The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which has signs of an old repair to the hinge, which is nice and solid.”

Case Composition and Attribution

The watch is housed in a silver-filled case, identified as 'The Russell' model by the Illinois Watch Case Company. The case measures 53 mm in diameter, excluding the winding stem and loop.

The seller notes that 'The Russell' case typically corresponds with Thomas Russell signed movements and dials. Based on this, the seller states that the current case and Revue movement are likely not original to each other.

Evidence for this section
  • “Unusually the case is silver filled and it is “The Russsell” model by the Illinois Watch Case Company.”
  • “The watch measures 53mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “With “The Russell” case, we would expect to see a signed Thomas Russell movement and dial so we can safely assume that this particular case and movement are not original to each other.”

Open research questions

  • Are there specific production dates associated with Illinois Watch Case Company 'The Russell' cases to narrow the window of the casing?
  • Does the movement possess any specific caliber markings that confirm the Revue identity beyond the seller's claim?
  • Is there documentation for Thomas Russell utilizing Illinois Watch Case Company cases for Revue-sourced movements?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 1930s Revue pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement jewels17 jewels“The watch has a good quality Swiss 17-jewel stem-winding movement”
Maker attributionRevue“The movement has been identified as by Revue.”
Case diameter53mm“The watch measures 53mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Case modelThe Russell by Illinois Watch Case Company“it is “The Russsell” model by the Illinois Watch Case Company.”
Hairspring and regulatorBreguet hairspring and snail cam regulator“a Breguet hairspring and snail cam regulator.”
Case conditionGood condition with a small ding to the back“The case is in good condition, just a small “ding” to the back, nothing serious at all.”
Estimated period1930s“1930s Revue pocket watch”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman hour numerals and an outer railway-style minute track with diamond markers
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with ten-second Arabic numerals
  • Blued steel spade hands and a fluted onion-shaped winding crown with rounded bow
  • Marked 'SWISS MADE' across the bottom rim around 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The seller notes that the Illinois Watch Case Company 'The Russell' case and the Revue movement are likely not original to each other
  • Seller notes a faint hairline crack from the centre towards 10 o'clock, which is barely visible to the naked eye
  • The movement and case interior are not visible in the provided image; movement details are seller-reported

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - 1930s Revue Pocket Watch as170a12698

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 1693687871

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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