A Vulcain, Cricket "Sensilarm" wrist alarm watch in great original un-restored condition. This timepiece dates to the 1950's. The Cricket was introduced in 1947, a few years before the ubiquitous Jaeger LeCoultre wrist alarm watch, but manufactured in much smaller numbers. So today it is a rare and highly collectable watch. The watch has a classic gold gold coloured case with a stainless back and the factory original quad tone dial has a sweep seconds hand and an alarm marker. It presents very well indeed on the wrist. The freshly oiled and adjusted manual movement is running strongly and keeping time and the alarm function is working perfectly. The watch is signed "Vulcain" on the dial and case and the movement is signed "Vulcain Cricket".
The Cricket always attracts considerable interest when one is listed for sale, although they rarely come up for sale these days. And when they do they are usually listed for sale in the USA. The Cricket was also nicknamed "The Presidents' Watch", after Vulcain presented a Cricket to President Harry Truman and subsequently to Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson as well as other world leaders. Continuing this tradition, the former Commander in Chief, Mr Trump, received a Vulcain watch but he appears be the last to have received one. Vulcain cut its staff a few years ago from 12 to just 2 and having almost gone into liquidation, it appears that the name has now been bought by another company.
Please scroll down to see more photographs and details and send me a message if you have any questions.
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW FOR WINDING AND SETTING THE WATCH AND FOR USING THE ALARM FUNCTION
Dial: in original un-restored condition presenting very well indeed. It has a textured two tone finish which divides the dial into quadrants. It signed “Vulcain Sensilarm Swiss”. Hours are marked by applied gold coloured batons. The hands are in good shape and the crystal is clean and clear. There is some slight discolouration to the dial between 11 and 12 o"clock.
Case: gold coloured with a stainless back, in very good condition, measuring approximately 33.5 mm across, excluding the crown and 43 mm from lug to lug. The inside of the rear cover is is signed "Vulcain" The case is showing the inevitable signs of careful and probably infrequent use over the years but no signs of abuse dents or scratches of any significance that I could see to point out to you.
Movement: cal. 120, 17 jewelled manual movement signed "Vulcain Cricket" together with patents for the design. It has all original parts and is running strongly and keeping time. It has been oiled and adjusted by my watchmaker. All functions operate correctly. The watch is wound by the lower crown, turning it anti clockwise and is set by pulling it out in the normal way. The same crown is used to wind the alarm but by turning it clockwise. The alarm is set by first pressing firmly the button above the crown by two notches. This sets the crown to the alarm adjusting position. Turn the crown clockwise to set the alarm to the required time for activating the alarm. When set to the required position push in the lower crown which will reset the button.
Strap: fitted with a generic black leather strap which attached to the watch measures approximately 216 mm from buckle tip to last hole.
This is a fabulous Vulcain Cricket wrist watch in great original condition, manufactured by one of the most famous wrist alarm watchmakers in the world. It is in fully working condition, highly collectable as well as great to wear. Do not miss the opportunity to buy this vintage timepiece as the Cricket rarely comes up for sale.
Vulcain Watch Co. History
Maurice Ditisheim set up his watch company in 1858, the “Maurice Ditisheim Fabrique Vulcain” in La Chaux-de-Fonds for the production of high-quality pocket-watches. The first Vulcain watch appeared on the market in 1894 and in 1900 Maurice Ditisheim secured the sole use of the name Vulcain for his watches. Vulcain was renowned for the precision of their wristwatches and many were sold as officially certified chronometers. However it was not until 1947 that Vulcain became well known as a result of the introduction of the first functional wrist alarm, the “Cricket” that was loud enough to wake up its owner. The Cricket is so called due to its distinctive sound that resembles the sound made by the insect. The watch was also nicknamed "The Presidents' Watch", when Vulcain presented a Cricket to President Harry Truman and subsequently Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson as well as other world leaders. Along with many other well known watch companies which, during the late 1940s and 1950s, had enjoyed the hey day of the manual wristwatch, the advent of the quartz movement caused the demand for top-quality mechanical wristwatches to slump dramatically. The Vulcain name disappeared although Vulcain continued to produce watches for its associated brands such as Revue Thommen. Vulcain was sold by MSR in the late 1980s to PMH (Production et Marketing Horologer) and in 2001 the Vulcain name was reintroduced to the market. In 2002 the first new Vulcain watches were reintroduced, including the “Cricket”. The company changed hands again when in 2009 it was acquired by the Saudi Arabian Al-Rayes family. The last news about Vulcain is that another party has bought the company and is continuing to manufacture the Cricket.
Terms of Sale
You are looking at a used watch which will show signs of wear. Please read carefully the detailed listing and study the photographs for a comprehensive description of the watch. If you have any questions please email me before purchase and I will do my best to help.
I pack my watches very well to avoid damage but very occasionally a problem may occur due to rough treatment in transit or the use of scanning equipment by Customs or the postal services which can magnetise the watch mechanism. I warrant that the watch you purchase will, when you receive it, be as described in the listing. If there is a problem when you receive your purchase I provide a no quibble full refund option. Alternatively I will undertake any repairs that are necessary if the watch is damaged or if in any other way differs significantly from the description. If I have not stated that the watch has been serviced, you may wish to have this work done, particularly if you intend to wear the watch on a daily basis. On request, I can provide you with details of independent watchmakers to whom you can send your watch for servicing.
I provide comprehensive details of my watches, including very clear photographs taken with a high resolution macro lens which shows detail not visible to the naked eye. I also invite you to ask questions if there is anything else you need to know. Please take care to consider the dimensions of the watch case as if it is a gentlemans’ Art Deco rectangular vintage watch, they were made significantly smaller than contemporary watches.
You are buying a used watch so there will be signs of use. Please do not expect quartz accuracy from a vintage watch. In the 1940’s/1950’s the accepted timekeeping tolerance for a new 17 jewel manual watch was within three minutes a day. All of my watches are professionally inspected and tested before sale and if they are not running smoothly and keeping reasonable time I have them serviced and/ or have any other work undertaken that is needed to ensure the watch is in running condition. However please bear in mind that a fault can develop unexpectedly at any time as with any used item so I am unable to provide any on-going warranty. Please also note that I provide no guarantee that my watches are waterproof. I would always strongly recommend keeping any vintage well away from moisture.