A “Full Set” Vulcain Cricket Reference 304001
Original Strap, Buckle, Presentation Box & Papers
By Charlie Dunne
Reference 304001
Image credit: Wind Vintage
The reference 304001 is one of the early Crickets to be introduced in the 1950s. The case is classified as a “2nd Series”, as the model was used subsequent to the OG Crickets. Rather than the sharp-edge lugs seen within the original cases, the 2nd Series has a more fluid and rounded style. Despite this example being a reference 304001, there are pre-reference models with the 2nd series case. American market models were made by Wadsworth Watch Case Co based out of Newport, Kentucky.
European models in yellow gold bear the marteau sans manche (hammerhead absent of a handle) with the number 115 indicating production by Manufacture Favre & Perret SA of La Chaux de Fonds. It is possible that this is also the case for steel and chrome plated 2nd Series models.
Image credit: Wind Vintage
The Dial
The dial features applied-Arabic numerals 3, 6, 9, and 12 along with the luminous “watermelon seed'“ hour markers. The brand and model are applied, however, it is void of the applied “V” logo, as that would arrive in later references. The dial features “Switzerland” is below 6 o’clock and the decimal alarm track includes 10, 30, and 50 rather than each 10-minute demarcation seen in the most “LBJ dials”.
Presentation Box
The occasions in which a vintage Vulcain Cricket is offered with its original box and papers are few and far between. In recent months, I’ve noticed a handful in which early Crickets (with the OG cases) are presented with boxes and hangtags from the 1960s-1970s. These “assembled” offerings are a bit disconcerting and it is partially the reason for sharing this article. More often than not, Crickets did not accompany boxes with the model labeled on the box, but rather the brand.
Cricket branded box from the mid-1950s. Image credit: Horologium
Vulcain branded box from the late 1950s early 1960s. Image credit: HODINKEE
Full set Vulcain Cricket from the 1960s-1970s.
On the bottom of the box, is the maker’s initials V.F. for Vuille Fribourg. Vuille & Cie was a Swiss company that provided boxes for the several high-end manufacturers.
Vuille & Cie
Vuille & Cie. Fabrique d étuis et Cartonnages Fribourg. Image credit: Europa Star.
Various employment opportunity advertisements for Vuille & Cie during the 1960s.
During the early 1950s, Vuille & Cie’s factory would catch on fire. The devastating event would leave the building destroyed with a loss of 80,000 CHF worth of inventory. Luckily, their operation would not end there and the establishment would go on to grow into the 1960s.
“On Tuesday evening around 9 a.m., a fire broke out in a recently built depot of the Vuille & Cie cartonnage factory on the [Jura road] in Freiburg, which destroyed the building and its contents under smoke and water. The factory itself was spared, so there was no downtime. The material damage amounts to around 80,000 Fr.”
Image credit: Der Murtenbieter (August 22, 1953)
Catalogue/Papers
As covered in ‘How To Use A Vulcain Cricket’, the watch accompanied an English booklet. The Lugano-based retailer wrote Vulcain’s American headquarters in ink on the opposite side for the US-based client.
It is noted on the backside of the small booklet that the design and printing were done by a graphic design company called Maison Fiedler S.A. also based in the same city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Fiedler S.A. was founded by Auguste G. Fiedler, the son of a watchmaker who founded the company in 1902 at the age of 36. According to his obituary in L'Impartial, Fiedler was a respected member of his city as both an employer and member of his religious congregation.
“Death of Mr. Auguste G. Fiedler
We learned yesterday with deep regret of the death of Mr. Auguste G. Fiedler, former Chairman of the Board of Directors and founder of Maison Fiedler SA Aged 86, he was the son of a watchmaker from Val-de-Ruz, the region where he was born. A fine lithographer and draftsman, he settled in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1902 and founded the company that bears his name. He was a pioneer of color lithography, a specialty in which he distinguished himself throughout his career. A hard worker and lover of his beautiful profession, he was keen to constantly develop his business and contributed to spreading the reputation of graphic arts in La Chaux-de-Fonniers. A few years ago, he took semi-retirement, his wife's health having forced him to settle in Neuchâtel. He nevertheless continued to oversee the smooth running and development of his business, which he still took care of until 1957. Having had to suffer the amputation of a leg at that time, he retired definitively from the Board of Directors and took a well-deserved retirement, after long and fruitful years of activity. A perfect citizen, he was interested in the life of the city, but above all put his ardor and his faith at the service of the Christian Unions of young people, in the time of Pastor Pettavel. All those who had the privilege of knowing him, either in his professional activities or in his private life, will keep excellent and lasting memories of him. We ask his family and collaborators to believe in our deep and sincere sympathy.”
Image credit: L'Impartial, 13 June 1959
Original Strap and Buckle
Vulcain Cricket (2nd Series case) reference 304001 on its original strap. Image credit: Wind Vintage
