VULCAIN
SKINDIVER MÉTÉORITE CHRONOGRAPH
2 890.00 CHF
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Buy a pre-owned Vulcain watch at The Swiss Collector
Founded in 1858 in La Chaux-de-Fonds by the Ditisheim brothers, Vulcain is one of Switzerland's oldest watch manufactures. The house first established itself through its highly complicated pocket watches, before marking horological history in 1947 with the Cricket: the first mechanical wristwatch with a truly functional alarm. Worn by American presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson, the Cricket earned Vulcain the title of "The Presidents' Watch". Now based in Le Locle, the manufacture produces between 3,000 and 4,000 watches per year. The Cricket, Skindiver and 50s Presidents collections span dress watches to sport models. At The Swiss Collector, our pre-owned Vulcain selection is constantly evolving, with every piece being unique.
Vulcain's History : 165 years of horological complication
The Origins of a Watchmaking Family (1858–1940)
Around 1858, Aron and Maurice Ditisheim established their workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The firm quickly specialised in complicated pocket watches (minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, striking mechanisms) earning prizes at the Universal Exhibitions in Paris (1889) and Barcelona (1929). In 1898, the Vulcain name was added to the company's trading name, and the brand was formally registered in 1900, taking its name from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. In the same year, Vulcain developed its own silent regulator system, significantly improving the sound quality of its striking mechanisms.
The Cricket and the Presidents (1947–1980)
The idea of a functional mechanical alarm wristwatch took shape at Vulcain in the early 1940s. The technical challenge was immense : producing a sound powerful enough to wake a sleeping person from a case just a few centimetres across. The solution came from a carefully placed pin on a resonating membrane : a mechanism inspired by the sound of a cricket, and the source of the watch's name. In 1947, Vulcain unveiled Calibre 120, powered by two independent barrels (one for timekeeping, one for the alarm) wound by a single crown. The alarm rings for nearly 25 seconds. The Cricket was quickly adopted at the highest levels of American politics : Harry S. Truman was the first president to wear one, followed by Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson. In 1961, Vulcain launched the Nautical, a diving watch featuring a mechanical alarm and a decompression table, worn during submarine expeditions and on the first ascent of K2 in 1954.
Crisis, Revival and Renaissance (1980–Today)
Like many Swiss manufactures, Vulcain struggled through the quartz crisis of the 1980s and changed hands several times. In 2001, the brand and its patents were acquired by PMH SA, which relocated the manufacture to Le Locle and relaunched production. In 2005, Vulcain unveiled the Imperial Gong, the world's first tourbillon wristwatch with an alarm function. In 2021, French entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet took over and expanded the collection, introducing a single-pusher chronograph. Annual production remains intentionally limited to between 3,000 and 4,000 pieces.
Vulcain Collections
Key References & Secondary Market Prices
Cricket Classique steel 39 mm, cream or brown dial, full set
CHF 2,100 – 4,700
Cricket President 39 mm Pistachio or salmon dial, limited edition
CHF 3,500 – 4,700
50s Presidents steel 42 mm, chronograph, sapphire caseback
CHF 3,700 – 4,700
Skindiver Nautique 42 mm, coloured dial, steel bracelet
CHF 1,150 – 1,600
Skindiver Chronograph 39.7 mm, sapphire caseback
CHF 1,700 – 2,100
Vintage Cricket (1950–1970) Cal. 120, steel, manual wind
CHF 850 – 2,600
Grand Prix steel Small seconds, clean dial
CHF 1,250 – 2,000
Prices vary depending on condition, box and papers, and model rarity. Contact our The Swiss Collector experts for a precise valuation.
Vulcain vs Jaeger-LeCoultre vs Junghans : which one to choose ?
Vulcain shares with a handful of rare manufactures the speciality of the mechanical alarm wristwatch. Here is an objective comparison to guide your choice.
Vulcain Cricket
The original inventor of the alarm complication on a wristwatch (1947), three years before the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox. The Cricket stands out for its double barrel, its long alarm duration (25 seconds), its unique presidential heritage, and its deliberately limited production. It's the choice of the collector seeking a rare, historically significant piece at a price that remains accessible on the secondary market.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox
Launched in 1950 by the Grande Maison of the Vallée de Joux, the Memovox became the reference for the luxury alarm watch. Backed by the resources of the Richemont group, it benefits from greater production volumes and strong international visibility. Vintage Memovox references from the 1950s–1970s are highly sought after, often trading above equivalent Vulcain pieces.
Junghans Max Bill Alarm
German manufacture Junghans offers with the Max Bill Alarm a Bauhaus-inspired alternative, powered by a modern alarm movement. More accessible in price, it appeals to those drawn to design-led watchmaking outside the Swiss tradition.
The Swiss Collector's verdict
If history and rarity come first, the Vulcain Cricket is hard to beat at an equivalent price point. For globally recognised manufacture prestige, the JLC Memovox is the benchmark. For a tighter budget with a strong design identity, Junghans is a solid option.
Vulcain and Notable Personalities
The Cricket has accompanied the most powerful figures in the world since its earliest days : a heritage unique in watchmaking history.
Pre-Owned Vulcain Buying Guide
- Budget : Prices range from CHF 850 to CHF 4,700 depending on model and condition. A steel Cricket in good condition starts around CHF 1,900. Vintage references from the 1950s–1960s can exceed CHF 2,500 for rare variants.
- Condition : We classify each piece (mint, very good, good, worn) with high-resolution photographs. For a Cricket, prioritise the correct functioning of the alarm — often overlooked during past servicing.
- The Swiss Collector guarantee : All our watches carry a 12 to 24-month warranty depending on condition and configuration.
- Secure delivery : Insured and trackable shipping worldwide.
Servicing a Pre-Owned Vulcain
Recommended service interval
Vulcain recommends a full service every 5 to 7 years depending on use.
Signs of good condition
Functional and audible alarm, verified water resistance, no deep case scratches, smooth winding crown, double caseback in good condition.
Specific point of attention
The resonating membrane responsible for the Cricket's alarm sound can deteriorate over time. At The Swiss Collector, we systematically verify alarm function before listing any Cricket for sale.
At The Swiss Collector
All pre-owned Vulcain watches are inspected by our partner watchmakers before listing. Need a service for your Vulcain ? Our partner workshops handle full maintenance and overhaul. Contact us for a personalised quote.
The Swiss Collector's View on Vulcain Watches
"Vulcain is one of the most singular manufactures in Swiss watchmaking. As the inventor of the mechanical alarm wristwatch, worn by American presidents and by Gorbachev, the Cricket is a historically loaded piece that can still be found at reasonable prices on the secondary market. That is exactly the kind of watch we love to offer at The Swiss Collector : rare, authentic, and accessible to those who know where to look."