Vulcain, a Swiss watch brand known as a specialist in alarm watches, has announced the 50S Presidents 1947 Limited Edition, a limited edition of two models from its 50S Presidents collection, featuring either a silver sunray or white lacquered dial.
This is a long-awaited new release from Vulcan, breaking years of silence.
Article published on June 2021, 8
A new model that continues the history of Vulcain alarm watches dating back to 1947
Over 10 years ago, in 2010, Vulcain introduced the 50S President collection, featuring a 42mm case and an in-house manual-winding movement. After offering a variety of dial variations, Vulcain disappeared from the market. After being acquired by Luxembourg businessman and billionaire Flavio Becca, who also shares a shareholder in Anonimo, Vulcain made no new announcements or communication for some time. This must have left retailers with inventory in disarray.
After years of silence, Vulcain has finally announced two new models. These are the two models we are introducing here. One features a silver sunray dial, and the other a white lacquer dial, both limited to 35 pieces. Both models feature rose gold-colored indices and hands.
Although there is nothing fundamentally new about this model compared to the existing model, the date display has been moved from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock. The author also thinks, "There was absolutely no problem with the original 6 o'clock position." The shape of the opening has changed from a trapezoid (which can also be round) to a simple rectangle in this model.
Other than that (and the €1000 price increase), the design of this new model is largely faithful to the original. The stainless steel case measures 42mm in diameter, is water resistant to 50m, and has an alarm function. It features a domed sapphire crystal and is fitted with a honey- or maroon-colored Louisiana alligator strap with a folding clasp and pusher.
The Cricket V-11 is a manual-winding movement with alarm mechanism, made up of 199 parts. It has two barrels: one for the hour, minute, and second functions, and one for the 20-second alarm. It beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
Continuing the legacy of the Cricket alarm movement, which has spun the Vulcain legend since 1947, the Cricket V-11 features beautiful dauphine hour and minute hands, a central seconds hand, and a date display. It should not be forgotten that Vulcain is a leading alarm watch brand that has established itself as the "presidential watch."
Finally, let's look back at the birth of the Cricket. In 1943, when Vulcain was developing a practical alarm watch, the then-owner of Vulcain, Robert Didisheim, received a visit from the French physicist Paul Langevin.
During a stroll in the garden of the La Chaux-de-Fonds workshop, Langevin encouraged Didisheim by saying that if a tiny insect like a cricket could produce a sound that could be heard from more than 30 meters away, surely something similar could be done with a small watch case containing a complex mechanism.
Encouraged by this, Didisheim continued his research and in 1947 he introduced a movement with two barrels, which he named "Cricket" after the sound of the insect.
http://www.webchronos.net/mechanism/21602/
