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VULCAIN Cricket Alarm Wristwatch 17 Jewels Cal. 120 Swiss Made Vintage Watch - Box & Papers!
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THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
IF THE MERCHANDISE YOU PURCHASE FROM Secondhand Horology, LLC (“Secondhand Horology”, “WE”, OR “US”) IS SUBJECT TO A THIRD PARTY WARRANTY, THEN THE MERCHANDISE WILL BE GOVERNED BY SUCH THIRD PARTY WARRANTY (TO THE EXTENT SUCH THIRD PARTY WARRANTY IS ASSIGNABLE BY US TO YOU) AND WILL NOT BE GOVERNED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. IF THE MERCHANDISE YOU PURCHASE FROM US IS NOT SUBJECT TO A THIRD PARTY WARRANTY, Secondhand Horology WARRANTS THAT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD (DEFINED BELOW), THE MERCHANDISE THAT YOU PURCHASED FROM US WILL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP.
WE LIMIT THE DURATION AND REMEDIES OF ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO THE WARRANTY PERIOD.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE MERCHANDISE (INCLUDING THE PARTS THEREIN) AS DESCRIBED BELOW IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT.
WHO MAY USE THIS WARRANTY?
Secondhand Horology extends this limited warranty only to the consumer who originally purchased the merchandise (“you”) from Secondhand Horology. It does not extend to any subsequent owner or other transferee of the merchandise.
WHAT DOES THIS WARRANTY COVER?
This limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship of the merchandise for the Warranty Period as defined below.
WHAT DOES THIS WARRANTY NOT COVER?
This limited warranty does not cover any damage due to: (a) transportation; (b) storage; (c) improper use; (d) failure to follow the merchandise instructions or to perform any preventive maintenance; (e) modifications; (f) unauthorized repair; (g) normal wear and tear; or (h) external causes such as accidents, abuse, or other actions or events beyond our reasonable control.
WHAT IS THE PERIOD OF COVERAGE?
If the merchandise or any portion of the merchandise that you purchase is subject to a third party warranty, Secondhand Horology hereby assigns to you all of its rights and remedies under such warranty to the extent that such rights and remedies are assignable. If the merchandise or any portion of the merchandise is not subject to any other warranty as of the date of purchase by you, and subject to the terms of this Limited Warranty, Secondhand Horology
warrants that the merchandise shall be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by you (the “Warranty Period”). The Warranty Period is not extended if we repair or replace the merchandise. We may change the availability of this limited warranty at our discretion, but any changes will not be retroactive.
WHAT ARE YOUR REMEDIES UNDER THIS WARRANTY?
With respect to any defective merchandise during the Warranty Period, we will, in our sole discretion repair or replace such merchandise (or the defective part) free of charge. We will also pay for shipping and handling fees to return the repaired or replacement merchandise to you if we elect to repair or replace the defective merchandise.
HOW DO YOU OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE?
To obtain warranty service, you must call +1(217)-802-6098 or email our Customer Service Department at info@secondhandhorology.com during the Warranty Period to obtain a Defective Merchandise Authorization (“DMA”) number. Read more about our return and warranty service policies.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
THE REMEDIES DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES AND OUR ENTIRE LIABILITY FOR ANY BREACH OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. OUR LIABILITY SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEED THE ACTUAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE, NOR SHALL WE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOSSES, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Secondhand Horology is honored to have the opportunity to serve you. That is why we stand by all of our products with a full 12-month limited warranty. If an item we sell you should fail as a result of a manufacturer's defect at any time during the first 12 months, we will repair or replace the item at absolutely no cost to you.
If your watch has any symptoms of abnormally gaining time, losing time, or not keeping proper time please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email. If it is determined by Secondhand Horology that a repair under warranty is required one of our trained watch professionals will direct you on how to safely and efficiently ship the watch to us.
Not covered by warranty:
- Regular wear-and-tear from normal use.
- External damage to the product. Any damages resulting from wear to the watch case, crystal/glass, watch bracelet, watch bezel, straps, screws, crown/stem, finishes, clasps/buckles, or any other physical damage to the watch.
- Defects caused by outside force or improper use. Consequential and incidental damages.
- The loss of precious, semi-precious stones from settings.
- Outside modifications and third party repair attempts of any kind will void the warranty.
- Any damage if used under conditions which exceed the watch manufacturer’s water resistance guidelines.
- Watches that are labeled as water resistant feature a screw down crown. The crown must be screwed down properly at all times to keep the watch casing watertight. Water damage is not covered under the warranty unless it is proven defective by the Secondhand Horology.
- Shipping cost to Secondhand Horology.
Secondhand Horology is determined to stand behind every part of your shopping experience. The Secondhand Horology warranty allows you to make a completely risk-free purchase. This has been our policy and our promise since we began nearly three decades ago serving customers on a local level. Now, we are standing by this policy as we serve online customers from around the world. We look forward to serving you and giving you the incredible value and experience you deserve.
VULCAIN
With more than 150 years of history and innovation, Vulcain perpetuates its historical heritage and unique know-how. The manufacture has a prominent role within the international watchmaking landscape thanks to its high-quality mechanical timepieces manufactured in-house.
Vulcain is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based and founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It was founded 1858 by the Ditisheim brothers Maurice, Gaspard and Aron. At first the company was founded as Manufacture Ditisheim, then in 1894, was rebranded as Vulcain. In 1900, with the company now under the leadership of Ernest-Albert Ditisheim (Maurice Ditisheim's son), he registered the name 'Vulcain' as a brand name for his pocket watches, naming it after the Roman god of Fire.
The Ditisheims were one of many Jewish families involved in innovation and modernization of the watch industry. Vulcain, with only 20 to 30 years grew from a small studio to a successful and well-known watch brand. The brothers were also involved with foreign watch branches, and they had the advantage of an international network of contacts.
In 1886, Maurice bought the company from his brothers. He was also awarded a bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris 1889 for his self-winding watch "La vallée de l'Arve."
Up until World War II, Vulcain solely focused on the production of pocket watches, only turning to wristwatches with the uptake in popularity of wristwatches for the military.
Vulcain gained brand recognition from the early 1950s for their invention of the alarm watch – the Vulcain Cricket, which was presented at a Swiss Watch Fair in 1947. In 1953, the White House Press Photographer's Association presented Harry S. Truman with a 14K gold version of the watch on the eve of his leaving presidential office. Following from this, nearly every President has been gifted one to commemorate their leaving office.
From Vulcain Website – “The Vulcain watch manufacturer was founded in 1858 and is the inventor of the alarm complication for wristwatches. This innovation made the Vulcain watches popular with American presidents starting with Harry S. Truman, earning the brand its reputation as The Watch for Presidents”.
VULCAIN Cricket
The Alarm Watch
“The Watch of Presidents”
There had been two prior attempts by other watchmakers in the early 19th century, but these projects were failures. In 1942, Vulcain began production of a prototype alarm movement, later named the 120. The Caliber 120 could sound for above 20 seconds when fully wound through the invention of the 'dual barrel'. This system ensured two separate barrels, which contain the wound-up springs generating energy for the watch. These barrels separately provided energy for the movement, and for the alarm; hence ensuring that the watch could sound for significantly longer than prior iterations.
The development of the volume, developed alongside French physicist Paul Langevin took a further 5 years, when Vulcain patented a double-case design to reverberate the sound further. The sound of the alarm notably sounded like that of a cricket, with the insect serving as its namesake.
The Cricket, released in 1947, ran off the final iteration of the Caliber 120, which was 17 -Jewels, had a near two-day power reserved and beat at 18,000 Beats per hour.
“In 1947, Vulcain presents the Vulcain Cricket, the first alarm wristwatch with a strident sound that astonished the world.”
Today, we have the honor to offer a stunning timepiece, “The Watch of Presidents”! Preserved on time, this is a vintage Vulcain Cricket, a manual wind alarm wristwatch dated from the late 1940s. One of the first Vulcain Cricket ever produced.
It is a manual-wind alarm watch powered by an original Vulcain movement, signed Grand Prix, also Swiss and U.S. patented. This watch features the first caliber ever made and design for an alarm wristwatch, signed Cricket, the Caliber 120, 17 jewels, sweep second, 18,000 A/h, 42 hours power reserve, 20 seconds alarm, Swiss made.
After +70 years, this watch still has the original champagne dial (showing some age) featuring gold Arabic Numerals and gold/luminous dots, bold minute/second track, in blue color the alarm track, gold/luminous matching hands and an extra hand with an arrow for the alarm. The pusher (for the alarm) is located at 2 o'clock. The dial is also signed with the Vulcain name/logo and Cricket.
It is cased in a beautiful 33.4mm round 10K yellow gold filled case and fancy lug design. Also, the patented double-case design with the stainless steel case back.
It comes with a new-old-stock brown alligator two-piece leather strap. Also, this watch comes in the original Vulcain signed “Grand Prix Watches” box and the Vulcain Cricket book/manual.
How does The Vulcain Cricket work?
The Vulcain Cricket has two independent barrels, one for the watch and one for the alarm. It is recommended to wind both completely as follows:
First, make sure that the crown at 3 o'clock is completely pushed in.
To wind the watch: turn crown towards 6 o'clock.
To wind the alarm: turn crown towards 12 o'clock.
If a resistance appears in one or the other direction, the according barrel is completely wound up. Do not force further. Continue to wind in the other direction.
To set the time, pull the crown at 3 o'clock completely and turn it towards 6 o'clock. Push the crown completely after setting.
To set and enable alarm, press down the pusher at 2 o'clock completely. The crown at 3 o'clock pops up. Turn the crown towards 12 o'clock to set the the alarm hand to the desired time. Push completely down the crown again.
To disable the alarm, press the pusher at 2 o'clock halfway down. The crown is set freely turnable in both directions. In this position the alarm is disabled.
Attention: never pull the pusher at 2h!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or respectful offers.
IMPORTANT – Please be prepared to stand behind any offer you make. Once we accept an offer, it takes the product off of the market for us AND other buyers. If you are considering making an offer and would like to know if we would accept a price, please simply message us and ask PRIOR to making the offer. We ask that you please make a formal offer only once you are committed to the offer.
Movement:
Vulcain Watch Fy
Seventeen 17 Jewels
Cal. 120
Vulcain Grand Prix
Cricket
Unadjusted
Switzerland
Swiss Patents
U.S. Pat. Appl. For
Case Markings:
Vulcain
Wadsworth
10K Gold Filled Bezel
Stainless Steel Back
T918515
Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 33.4
Case Diameter w/Crown 36.6
Case Lug to Lug 39.5
Case Thickness 11.5
Lug Width 19
Band Width 18
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
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