| BRAND | VULCAIN |
| MODEL | CRICKET |
| REFERENCE | N/A |
| YEAR | LATE 1940s |
| MOVEMENT | MANUAL WINDING CALIBER 120 |
| CASE | 34MM STAINLESS STEEL |
| CRYSTAL | ACRYLIC |
| STRAP | HORWEEN LEATHER |
| FEATURES | FIRST EXECUTION CRICKET |
| ACCESSORIES | NONE |
Vulcain Cricket
Vulcain
CRICKET ‘FIRST SERIES’
STEEL
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The Watch
This first series Vulcain Cricket houses a powerful alarm that can serve as both a legitimate tool and as a wonderful party trick!
The Vulcain Cricket was one of the first wristwatches with a mechanical alarm and the world revered it as “one of the greatest achievements in the whole history of watchmaking.” Released in 1947, the watch has earned the title of the “Watch of Presidents” as it’s been gifted to every president from Truman to Trump (excluding George W. Bush). This particular example is the first execution of the Cricket With luminous numbers (of radium) along with quarter hour demarcations on the outer ring to set the alarm. The present two tone dial has been well worn, showing strong patina that wears differently depending on the lighting. The Cricket is a fantastic break from the larger sport watches that are common today and at 34mm can be appreciated by everyone. The case is in fantastic unpolished condition, with light scratches on the rear of the case, retaining the original crown, pusher, and handset.
The watch is wound by rotating the crown clockwise, while the mechanical alarm is wound by rotating the crown counterclockwise. To set the alarm after winding, you must depress the pusher at two o’clock twice until you see the crown pop out. By rotating the crown clockwise, you’re able to move the alarm hand to the desired hour and quarter marker. Simply push the crown back in and the watch is set.
The History
The Vulcain Cricket is a staple amongst any collection as it perfectly marries great historical value with the technical marvel of its’ complex movement.
The Vulcain Cricket was launched at the Waldorf Astoria in 1947 to a wide audience as the watch had been called “one of the greatest achievements in the whole history of watchmaking.” The Cricket’s movement also remains largely unchanged in the watches 73 year history, speaking directly to high level of execution and innovation that resulted in the movements creation. As mentioned above, the watch has been delivered to every US President from Truman to Trump, excluding George W. Bush. This strategic move by Vulcain was a wonderful marketing ploy that they quickly took advantage of. As early as 1950, Vulcain advertised the Cricket as “The Watch of Presidents.” Further advertisements stated the “Cricket establishes your reputation as a man of supreme punctuality and of infallible memory” and as the “World’s Best Watch for Busy People.” These could certainly be true as the Cricket provided a unique experience to its wearers, being the only mechanical wristband alarm.
Vulcain continued their great advertising by sponsoring the Italian team that were the first to reach the summit of K2 in 1954. The team supposedly used the watch to track important passings of time throughout the climb as a Vulcain advertisement from 1955 highlighted the Cricket’s value to the mission: the “Cricket was selected from the finest watches to equip many famous expeditions, the most recent being the Italian alpinists’ victory in the Himalaya-K2 (28250 ft.). The teams of all these expeditions have expressed their satisfaction and admiration of the record performance of their Vulcain Cricket, testifying that their running was as faultless and the ringing of the alarm as distinct on the summit of K2 as in the damp jungle of Equatorial Africa.”
The Cricket is still produced today, despite the company’s staff being reduced to only five in 2016. Through the hardships, Vulcain continued the tradition as they still gifted a watch to President Trump. Just one year later, the company announced that it was acquired by an unnamed group from Luxembourg that supposedly retained routes in luxury watches. Though the company has not released a new watch since the sale in 2017, most are optimistic that they’re cooking up something special as we start the new decade. If you’re looking for an affordable watch with impeccable history, look no further than the Vulcain Cricket. For information on our Cricket, scroll up to contact us.
Image Credit: Watchonista.com, WatchesSeven.blogspot.com
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