Vulcain Steel Dress Watch

After bringing the Cricket to market in 1947, Vulcain was officially on the map and saw a few decades of huge growth. They produced a variety of watches, including but not limited to chronographs, dress watches, and nautical watches.

This particular dress piece dates to circa 1960 and is in superb overall condition. Appropriate for any wrist, this svelte piece features a 34mm case with a silver sunburst dial and decorative indices, a dauphine handset, and a Calibre 1686 hand-cranking movement. 

Whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started, it's hard to go wrong with a timelessly designed manually-wound watch that suits for any occasion.

If you’ve heard of Vulcain, it’s no doubt because of the Cricket.
Vulcain unveiled the Cricket in 1947 at the famous Waldorf Astoria in New York City. It caused a media sensation, and for good reason: the Cricket was the first wristwatch to feature an alarm function. While other brands then developed their own alarm movements — most notably Jaeger-LeCoultre with its Memovox — the Cricket was the first working model, making it a true milestone in modern-day horology.
Indeed, in addition to being the world's first alarm caliber, the Calibre 120 was also among the most accurate. This was thanks to Vulcain's Exactomatic system, for which Vulcain secured the patent in 1946. The Exactomatic system achieved unprecedented equilibrium of the balance wheel in all positions, guaranteeing accuracy to within four or five seconds a day.
The Vulcain Calibre 120 would go on to power watches that would adorn the wrists of such august personages as every US President since Nixon (except George W. Bush). Despite this more regal association, the Cricket also found its way onto the wrists of mountaineers — in fact, the watch accompanied the first expedition to reach the 28,250 foot peak of K2, in the Himalayas.
The Cricket also found itself in a most unlikely place: under the ocean. In collaboration with underwater explorer Hannes Keller, Vulcain developed a submersible Cricket model. Keller had descended to a depth of 728 feet in the Italian Lake Maggiore in 1961, making him an ideal consultant for Vulcain. Along with diving instructor Arthur Droz and Max-Yves Brandly, noted explorer and film director, Vulcain began development of the Cricket Nautical.
Like the original of 1947, the 1961 Cricket Nautical made waves. It was the first wristwatch that could sustain a depth of 300 meters. Additionally, like the later Doxa Sub 300T, it featured decompression charts — in this case on the dial in concentric circles. Vulcain ensured the audibility of the alarm with a triple case back, while 1970s models would feature large 42mm cushion cases with brushed finishing.
Vulcain struggled through the Quartz Crisis in the 1970s and 1980s, and was subsequently sold toward the end of the 1990s. Rights to the brand were acquired by the PMH (Production et Marketing Horologer), and the Cricket V10 was introduced in 2001. Today, the firm continues to introduce new Cricket models and continues to equip sitting U.S. presidents with the famed alarm watch.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.