A superb example of one of the most interesting and historically important alarm watches of the 1950s, this Vulcain Cricket reference 303001 is the rare oversized or “Jumbo” version of the legendary Cricket.
At approximately 38mm in diameter excluding the crown and 47mm lug to lug, with 20mm lugs, the 303001 is unusually large for a dress watch of its era. Most 1950s watches were considerably smaller, making these Jumbo Crickets particularly desirable today and giving the watch a remarkably modern presence on the wrist.
This example is made particularly special by its rare dial configuration. Rather than a conventional set of Arabic numerals, the beautifully preserved silver dial uses applied even-numbered Arabic numerals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, alternating with distinctive applied arrow-shaped hour markers. The gilt furniture contrasts beautifully against the silver dial, while the separate alarm-setting hand is immediately recognisable by its dark arrow pointer.
The dial itself is remarkably clean for its age, with the applied details remaining crisp and giving the watch a wonderful mid-century character.
The stainless-steel case is in fantastic original, unpolished condition. The long angular lugs remain exceptionally strong and well defined, retaining their original geometry. There are honest surface marks throughout, but crucially these have not been polished away.
Importantly, the watch also retains its original signed Vulcain winding crown, another excellent detail on a Cricket of this age. Alongside it sits the separate alarm pusher that forms such a distinctive part of the Cricket’s design.
Vulcain introduced the Cricket in 1947, creating one of the first genuinely practical mechanical alarm wristwatches. Its distinctive audible alarm gave the Cricket its name and helped establish Vulcain as one of the most technically interesting Swiss manufacturers of the post-war period.
Inside is the celebrated manually wound Vulcain calibre 120, the movement at the heart of the early Cricket. It uses separate power sources for the timekeeping and alarm functions and produces the unmistakable mechanical buzzing sound for which the model became famous.
The Cricket subsequently became associated with a number of US Presidents, earning the famous “Presidents’ Watch” nickname and securing its place as one of the most historically significant alarm watches ever produced.
This example has just completed a service and is working exactly as it should, including the mechanical alarm function.
The original caseback retains the characteristic perforated construction designed to allow the alarm to resonate. It is correctly signed “Vulcain Watch Co Swiss” and carries the Swiss patent and US patent application markings.
It is fitted to a new aftermarket brown suede leather strap, which complements the warm gilt dial furniture beautifully.
The combination here is particularly difficult to find: the oversized 38mm reference 303001 case, rare alternating even-Arabic and arrow-marker dial configuration, original signed crown, unpolished case and freshly serviced calibre 120 movement.
A superb piece of 1950s horological history and an unusually complete example of one of the most collectible early Vulcain Crickets.
A superb example of one of the most interesting and historically important alarm watches of the 1950s, this Vulcain Cricket reference 303001 is the rare oversized or “Jumbo” version of the legendary Cricket.
At approximately 38mm in diameter excluding the crown and 47mm lug to lug, with 20mm lugs, the 303001 is unusually large for a dress watch of its era. Most 1950s watches were considerably smaller, making these Jumbo Crickets particularly desirable today and giving the watch a remarkably modern presence on the wrist.
This example is made particularly special by its rare dial configuration. Rather than a conventional set of Arabic numerals, the beautifully preserved silver dial uses applied even-numbered Arabic numerals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, alternating with distinctive applied arrow-shaped hour markers. The gilt furniture contrasts beautifully against the silver dial, while the separate alarm-setting hand is immediately recognisable by its dark arrow pointer.
The dial itself is remarkably clean for its age, with the applied details remaining crisp and giving the watch a wonderful mid-century character.
The stainless-steel case is in fantastic original, unpolished condition. The long angular lugs remain exceptionally strong and well defined, retaining their original geometry. There are honest surface marks throughout, but crucially these have not been polished away.
Importantly, the watch also retains its original signed Vulcain winding crown, another excellent detail on a Cricket of this age. Alongside it sits the separate alarm pusher that forms such a distinctive part of the Cricket’s design.
Vulcain introduced the Cricket in 1947, creating one of the first genuinely practical mechanical alarm wristwatches. Its distinctive audible alarm gave the Cricket its name and helped establish Vulcain as one of the most technically interesting Swiss manufacturers of the post-war period.
Inside is the celebrated manually wound Vulcain calibre 120, the movement at the heart of the early Cricket. It uses separate power sources for the timekeeping and alarm functions and produces the unmistakable mechanical buzzing sound for which the model became famous.
The Cricket subsequently became associated with a number of US Presidents, earning the famous “Presidents’ Watch” nickname and securing its place as one of the most historically significant alarm watches ever produced.
This example has just completed a service and is working exactly as it should, including the mechanical alarm function.
The original caseback retains the characteristic perforated construction designed to allow the alarm to resonate. It is correctly signed “Vulcain Watch Co Swiss” and carries the Swiss patent and US patent application markings.
It is fitted to a new aftermarket brown suede leather strap, which complements the warm gilt dial furniture beautifully.
The combination here is particularly difficult to find: the oversized 38mm reference 303001 case, rare alternating even-Arabic and arrow-marker dial configuration, original signed crown, unpolished case and freshly serviced calibre 120 movement.
A superb piece of 1950s horological history and an unusually complete example of one of the most collectible early Vulcain Crickets.
