Hello there! Thank you for looking, we are Second Hand Horology, founded by Steve and Genesis, we have been together since 2020 and in the very beginning, we started this watch business adventure with SHH. Today, we are engaged, and we were inspired by the “trade a paperclip for a house” project, therefore we have a #WeddingWatchChallenge – Our project began with a beautiful Vintage Omega automatic watch, today we have the Watch #2: this gorgeous vintage Vulcain Cricket “The Alarm Wristwatch” – Our plan is to sell and trade our way up the ladder and quickly turn one watch into a Wedding and a Honeymoon. Stay tuned and THANK YOU for all your support! #Steve&Genesis

VULCAIN
 
With more than 150 years of history and innovation, Vulcain perpetuates its historical heritage and unique know-how. The manufacture has a prominent role within the international watchmaking landscape thanks to its high-quality mechanical timepieces manufactured in-house.

Vulcain is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based and founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It was founded 1858 by the Ditisheim brothers Maurice, Gaspard and Aron. At first the company was founded as Manufacture Ditisheim, then in 1894, was rebranded as Vulcain. In 1900, with the company now under the leadership of Ernest-Albert Ditisheim (Maurice Ditisheim's son), he registered the name 'Vulcain' as a brand name for his pocket watches, naming it after the Roman god of Fire.

The Ditisheims were one of many Jewish families involved in innovation and modernization of the watch industry. Vulcain, with only 20 to 30 years grew from a small studio to a successful and well-known watch brand. The brothers were also involved with foreign watch branches, and they had the advantage of an international network of contacts.

In 1886, Maurice bought the company from his brothers. He was also awarded a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris 1889 for his self-winding watch "La vallée de l'Arve."

Up until World War II, Vulcain solely focused on the production of pocket watches, only turning to wristwatches with the uptake in popularity of wristwatches for the military.

Vulcain gained brand recognition from the early 1950s for their invention of the alarm watch – the Vulcain Cricket, which was presented at a Swiss Watch Fair in 1947. In 1953, the White House Press Photographer's Association presented Harry S. Truman with a 14K gold version of the watch on the eve of his leaving presidential office. Following from this, nearly every President has been gifted one to commemorate their leaving office.

From Vulcain Website – “The Vulcain watch manufacturer was founded in 1858 and is the inventor of the alarm complication for wristwatches. This innovation made the Vulcain watches popular with American presidents starting with Harry S. Truman, earning the brand its reputation as The Watch for Presidents”.

 
VULCAIN Cricket
The Alarm Watch
 
“The Watch of Presidents”
 
There had been two prior attempts by other watchmakers in the early 19th century, but these projects were failures. In 1942, Vulcain began production of a prototype alarm movement, later named the 120. The Caliber 120 could sound for above 20 seconds when fully wound through the invention of the 'dual barrel'. This system ensured two separate barrels, which contain the wound-up springs generating energy for the watch. These barrels separately provided energy for the movement, and for the alarm; hence ensuring that the watch could sound for significantly longer than prior iterations.

The development of the volume, developed alongside French physicist Paul Langevin took a further 5 years, when Vulcain patented a double-case design to reverberate the sound further. The sound of the alarm notably sounded like that of a cricket, with the insect serving as its namesake.

The Cricket, released in 1947, ran off the final iteration of the Caliber 120, which was 17 -Jewels, had a near two-day power reserved and beat at 18,000 Beats per hour.

“In 1947, Vulcain presents the Vulcain Cricket, the first alarm wristwatch with a strident sound that astonished the world.”

Today, we have the honor to offer a stunning timepiece, “The Watch of Presidents”! Preserved on time, this is a vintage Vulcain Cricket, a manual wind alarm wristwatch dated from the late 1940s. One of the first Vulcain Cricket ever produced.

It is a manual-wind alarm watch powered by an original Vulcain movement, signed Grand Prix, also Swiss and U.S. patented. This watch features the first caliber ever made and design for an alarm wristwatch, signed Cricket, the Caliber 120, 17 jewels, sweep second, 18,000 A/h, 42 hours power reserve, 20 seconds alarm, Swiss made.

After 70 years, this watch still has the original champagne dial (showing some age) featuring gold Arabic Numerals and gold/luminous dots, bold minute/second track, in blue color the alarm track, gold/luminous matching hands and an extra hand with an arrow for the alarm. The pusher (for the alarm) is located at 2 o'clock. The dial is also signed with the Vulcain name/logo and Cricket.

It is cased in a beautiful 33.4mm round 10K yellow gold filled case and fancy lug design. Also, the patented double-case design with the stainless steel case back.

It comes with a new-old-stock brown alligator two-piece leather strap. Also, this watch comes in the original Vulcain signed “Grand Prix Watches” box and the Vulcain Cricket book/manual.

How does The Vulcain Cricket work?

The Vulcain Cricket has two independent barrels, one for the watch and one for the alarm. It is recommended to wind both completely as follows:

First, make sure that the crown at 3 o'clock is completely pushed in.

To wind the watch: turn crown towards 6 o'clock.

To wind the alarm: turn crown towards 12 o'clock.

If a resistance appears in one or the other direction, the according barrel is completely wound up. Do not force further. Continue to wind in the other direction.

To set the time, pull the crown at 3 o'clock completely and turn it towards 6 o'clock. Push the crown completely after setting.

To set and enable alarm, press down the pusher at 2 o'clock completely. The crown at 3 o'clock pops up. Turn the crown towards 12 o'clock to set the the alarm hand to the desired time. Push completely down the crown again.

To disable the alarm, press the pusher at 2 o'clock halfway down. The crown is set freely turnable in both directions. In this position the alarm is disabled.
Attention: never pull the pusher at 2h!
 

Thank you for looking!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or respectful offers.
 
IMPORTANT – Please be prepared to stand behind any offer you make. Once we accept an offer, it takes the product off of the market for us AND other buyers. If you are considering making an offer and would like to know if we would accept a price, please simply message us and ask PRIOR to making the offer. We ask that you please make a formal offer only once you are committed to the offer.

Movement: 
Vulcain Watch Fy
Seventeen 17 Jewels
Cal. 120
Vulcain Grand Prix
Cricket
Unadjusted
Switzerland
Swiss Patents
U.S. Pat. Appl. For

Case Markings: 
Vulcain
Wadsworth
10K Gold Filled Bezel
Stainless Steel Back
T918515

Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 33.4
Case Diameter w/Crown 36.6
Case Lug to Lug 39.5
Case Thickness 11.5
Lug Width 19
Band Width 18

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
 
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
 
It will be carefully packed.

Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!

WA-3511