Swiss manufactuer of phonographs and gramophones.
In 1883, the Thorens family business was first registered in Sainte-Croix (Ste-Croix), Vaud, Switzerland by Hermann Thorens. An initial producer of musical boxes and clock movements (which they were still producing in the 1950's), they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903.
In 1928, they produced their first electric (motor-drive) record player, and went on to produce a range of audiophile record players in the 1950s and 1960s which are, even today, regarded as high-end audio equipment, and are much sought-after.
As of 2006, Thorens continues to produce well-regarded turntables for playback of vinyl and 78rpm gramophone records.
Links:
The Swiss Gramophone Manufacturers (french)
The history of Thorens (english)
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Bijou
Helvetia
Triumph
Crown
Daisy
Popular
Standard
Harmonia
Phonographs:
Royal
Capital
Majestic
Minerva
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No. 201 Sphynx
No. 202 Sphinco
No. 205 Darling
No.206 Success
No. 208 Aurora
No. 209 Argentin
No. 212 Concerto
No. 213 Champion
No. 15 Exlesior
No. 18 Magic
No. 220 Hansa
No. 222 Birman
No. 225 Astra
No. 227 Perfect
No. 229 Perfecta
No. 231 Regalia
No. 233 Organa
No. 235 Organa Bis
No. 238 Orient
No. 242 Durban
No. 250 Libertad
No. 255 Musica
No. 260 Lux
No. 266 Superba
No. 270 Nobel
No. 301 Ultima
No. 304 Popular
No. 308 Rival
No. 310 Standard
No. 314 Sonata
No. 316 Helvetia
No. 318 Harmonia
No. 320 Viola
No. 322 Symplex
No. 328 Rio
No. 325 Majestic
No. 330 Cristal
No. 332 Splendid
No. 333 Splendid Bis
No. 335 Carmen
No. 336 Carmen Bis
No. 340 Scalina
No. 342 Scalina Bis
No. 350 Traviata
No. 352 Trovatore.
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