How To Use A Vulcain Cricket
Simple instructions for the iconic alarm watch.
by Charlie Dunne
Oftentimes when someone gets their hands on a vintage Vulcain Cricket they are eagerly excited by the watch and cannot wait to set the alarm to remind them of obligations throughout their day. However, I will very quickly get a phone call or text asking for a quick tutorial on how to operate the Cricket. Not to say I don’t love showing people how to set the alarm and time. I do! However, just in case this could help as a reference for a friend or stranger, I thought I would share this 1950s Vulcain Cricket booklet highlighting the instructions for the groundbreaking alarm watch. The booklet features two versions of the earliest “OG Crickets” - the cover illustrated with a solid gold Cricket with applied-Roman numerals and sector dial, while the back page contains a stainless steel example with an “LBJ” dial. If you would like to learn more about the Vulcain Cricket, you can also look over my Watch of The Week article for written for Hodinkee in 2021 or read my article detailing the 2nd series Vulcain Cricket reference 304001.
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“When the Vulcan Cricket made its first appearance, it was greeted with a feeling of curiosity somewhat tinged with skepticism. For a long time, the construction of an alarm wrist watch had both tempted and discouraged many a skilled horologist. The problem - almost insoluble for the human mind - was, first, how to combine a thin watch-movement, along with the organs of an alarm, in the small space of a wrist-watch. Then, to obtain from a tiny mechanism, the very sound produced by a large size alarm. As a matter of fact, all previous researches had failed owing to this double difficulty.
After five vears of ceaseless efforts and continuous researches carried out in the laboratory, the engineers of the Vulcain Factory have overcome obstacles apparently unconquerable. Their endeavours resulted in a marvel of ingenuity and accuracy combined, the Vulcain Cricket.
Having left the technical department for the world markets, the Vulcain Cricket is now held in universal repute. Nobody questions any longer the uniqueness of the watch nor the variety of its practical applications.
The Swiss and foreign patents which protect the Vulcain Cricket watch, establish in fact a sensational advance, probably the greatest achievement ever recorded in horology since the advent of wristwatches.
It lies entirely with you to benefit by such progress. Whether worn on your wrist or placed on your bed-side table, Vulcain Cricket will wake you up at the very minute you have chosen.
This is the first duty of Cricket, the easiest. Then, during the day, Cricket will not stop serving you.”
In the above photo, the Vulcain Cricket shows the alarm hand is set to ring around 7:35.
“On your wrist, Cricket will ring in time for your appointments, an interesting broadcast or for mailing hours. It will tell you when you should catch your train, boat or plane. It will mark the limits you have assigned for a task or an interview.
The Cricket watch will take up a good share of your worries. It will be your reminder. You will owe it your peace of mind It will also impart a feeling of rest and relaxation. Though capable of waking up the soundest sleeper, Vulcain Cricket will observe unrivalled discretion between the calls you have provided for. You will no longer be disturbed by the ceaseless clatter of an ordinary alarm-clock - by that obsessing "tie-tac". Often the source of sleeplessness or nervosity. On the contrary, the running of a Vulcan Cricket is perfectly noiseless.
Last but not least and we may insist on this point - the aforesaid alarm wrist-watch is also a high grade watch. As punctual as the best alarm-clock as far as the ringing is con cerned, the running of the Vulcain Cricket proves to be most reliable, accurate and regular. The rating certificates issued by the Official Swiss Offices of Control duly vouch for the result obtained. Furthermore, the Vulcain Cricket is dust-proof.
In brief, the Vulcain Cricket is worthy of the finest tradition in horological science.
Being the latest model created by a factory almost one hundred years old, the Vulcain Cricket - an up-to-date watch in the true sense of the term - embodies daring modernity allied to classical improvements gathered from generation to generation by the skilled watchmakers who have followed one another at the head and in the workshops of the Vulcain Factory.”
Winding the crown counter clockwise powers the Vulcain Cricket’s movement. Winding the crown clockwise powers the alarm.
You can only move the time on the watch forward. By pulling the crown out two positions, you can then wind the crown clockwise advancing the time.
In the above photo, the gold Vulcain Cricket will show the alarm hand is set to ring around 10:20.
