1930s Vertex Radium "Tank" Revue Cal. VW 54
Ref: 326 419

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with a well fitted brown leather strap with open ends to fit the fixed spring bars. The watch is from Circa. 1930s and is in worn, vintage condition as you can see from the photos and is showing signs of wear and age as you would expect. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

Vertex was the brainchild of Claude Lyons of London born in 1885. At the age of 17, he started his involvement in the watch Industry. With the help of a £1000 loan, he set up Dreadnaught Watches in 1912. In 1915, they were producing watches for the British Armed Forces during WW1. In 1916, he founded Vertex Watches Ltd in both Hatton Gardens and Switzerland. In 1927 Vertex became the exclusive importer of Movado Watches to the UK. in 1938 Henry Lyons Claude's son-in-law joins the company. In 1940 their Hatton Gardens premises were destroyed by a Luftwaffe bomb.

1941 as a Captain in the British Army Henry was asked to create a watch suitable for the British military. 1944 saw the production of the Cal.59 W.W.W. Nav watch. Business continued successfully throughout the 50s, 60s. Sadly in 1972 due to the emergence of the Quartz revolution and the expiring of his lease in Hatton Gardens, Henry closed the Company. In 2015 Claude’s  Great Grandson Don Cochrane re-established the Company. And the rest is history as they say. 

Here we have a very elegant 1930s Vertex “Tank” Revue. It’s 22.5mm Chrome plated case has crisp lines that gently curve over the wrist. A 40mm lug to lug and a 10mm thickness ensures a comfortable fit. On the right side, a crown with coin edging. Its fine polished bezel holds a slightly domed crystal. The silver dial has an outer minute track with gilt Arabic numerals that catch the light as you rotate your wrist. At 6 o’clock a recessed sub-seconds with finely printed numerals. Sword hands filled with Radium finish this stunning dial. On the reverse a stainless steel snap-on case back signed Vertex. Inside a Manually Wound Vertex Revue Cal. VW 54 15 Jewel Swiss-made movement signed Vertex.  Fitted on a 16mm leather strap.

Personal Note

One of Lia's first finds for the business and wowzers, what a find it is! When it arrived on my desk I fell in love, opening it up to see a Vertex signed case and a Vertex signed movement was a real treat! The dial is stunning and original featuring the radium on the indices and radium in the blued hands, this watch is a gift that keeps on giving!