Vulcain - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Vulcain is a legendary Swiss watch brand, known for its famous "Cricket", the world's first functional mechanical alarm watch. The history of Vulcain is characterized by a constant commitment to innovation, style and quality and which has rebounded in recent years under the leadership of Guillaume Laidet and Remi Chabrat.

What is the history of the Vulcain brand?

Founded in 1858 by the Ditisheim brothers in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Vulcain began as a small company specializing in the production of high-precision pocket watches. It wasn't until 1947 that the brand burst onto the international watch scene with the launch of the Cricket watch, a technical feat that quickly gained popularity.

The Vulcain Cricket, thanks to its unique alarm function, has earned the nickname "Presidents' Watch". It has been worn by many American presidents, including Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson, cementing the brand's international reputation. Starting in the 1950s, Vulcain continued to innovate by producing diving watches and launching the Vulcain Nautical movement, a diving watch equipped with an alarm function and decompression indicator for divers.

Despite a period of turmoil during the 1970s and 1980s, when the Swiss watch industry was shaken by the quartz revolution, Vulcain managed to overcome these challenges and recover. Today, the brand is lauded for its blend of classic design and modern technology, while continuing to produce high-quality mechanical watches.

What are the main models of Vulcain watches?

Vulcan Cricket

Vulcain's flagship model is undoubtedly the Vulcain Cricket. Featuring a robust stainless steel casing, it is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters. The strap is made of genuine leather, ensuring optimal comfort and durability. The Cricket is powered by the Vulcain V-10 hand-wound mechanical movement, renowned for its reliability. The simple and elegant dial features stick indexes and luminous hands, ensuring excellent readability. The alarm complication is of course the Cricket's most distinctive feature.

Vulcain Nautical

The Vulcain Nautical, another iconic watch from the brand, features a sturdy steel case, water resistant up to 30 ATM. The strap is made of rubber, to withstand the rigors of scuba diving. The Vulcain V-10 hand-wound mechanical movement guarantees exceptional precision and reliability. The dial displays luminous indexes and an alarm complication, as well as a decompression indicator for divers.

Vulcain 50s Presidents'

This watch is a celebration of Vulcain's heritage as "Presidents Watch". The stainless steel case of the watch, waterproof to 50 meters, houses an exclusive Vulcain V-21 automatic movement. The strap is made of alligator leather, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. The dial, available in multiple colors, features stick indexes and luminous hands, as well as an alarm complication.

Vulcain Aviator Instrument

The Aviator Instrument pays homage to the brand's aeronautical heritage. Its robust stainless steel case, water resistant to 10 ATM, houses a Vulcain V-57 automatic movement. The strap is made of leather, reflecting the aviator style of the watch. The dial, with its luminous indexes and hands, has a chronograph, a useful complication for calculating short times.

Vulcain Golden Heart

The Golden Heart is a limited edition, celebrating the famous Cricket watch. The rose gold case, water-resistant to 30 meters, houses a Vulcain V-18 manual-winding mechanical movement. The alligator leather strap adds a touch of luxury. The dial, with its Arabic numeral indexes and golden hands, is equipped with an alarm complication, visible thanks to a heart-shaped opening.

Summary of the Vulcain brand

Whether you are attracted by the historical charm of the 50s Presidents' Watch, the aviator style of the Aviator Instrument or the luxury of the Golden Heart, Vulcain offers a wide choice of watches that combine functionality, history and elegance. The brand's renewal offers the opportunity to choose new models revisiting the brand's heritage or vintage models for the most passionate among you. To find out more about these watches and other Vulcain collections, do not hesitate to visit their website. The Dialicious owners’ reviews shared on this platform can also provide you with additional information when choosing a Vulcain watch.

Check out the Ranking of the most popular Swiss watch brands, including Vulcain.

(Updated September 2024)