Hands on Vulcain Cricket Classic 39mm Black & Khaki

When we talk about Vulcain’s rich history, its most outstanding achievement remains the invention of the alarm wristwatch, famously known as the Cricket. This innovation cemented the Swiss brand’s place in horological history as the creator of the world’s very first alarm wristwatch. In 2022, 75 years after the original launch, Vulcain revived this legacy with the Cricket Classic, available in two sizes: 36 mm and 39 mm. Today, we have in hand the 39 mm version, featuring a matte black dial and a sapphire crystal case back.

The Vulcain Cricket Classique remains faithful to the original 1947 model. The 39 mm polished stainless steel case, with a slim 12.8 mm profile and thin bezel, gives it a refined dress watch aesthetic. The watch is topped with a domed sapphire crystal featuring anti-reflective coating, while the back also sports a sapphire crystal, offering a clear view of the movement. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters.

The onion-shaped crown at 3 o’clock serves for time setting and winding. Turning the crown clockwise winds the movement, while turning it counterclockwise winds the alarm. The pusher at 2 o’clock, when pressed, allows the crown to be pulled to a third position for alarm setting. Turn the watch over, and you can see the alarm barrel engaging as it winds. The alarm can be deactivated by pressing the pusher back to its first position.

On a full wind, the alarm rings for approximately 20 seconds. The hammer can be seen tapping rapidly against the gong, producing the Cricket’s iconic chime. The compact 39 mm case is a technical achievement in itself, as it amplifies the alarm’s resonance beautifully despite its modest size.

The dial of the Cricket Classique is a faithful recreation of vintage designs, with a few modern updates. Here, it appears in matte black with white printed markings. Khaki-toned Super-LumiNova coats the hour and minute hands, Arabic numerals, and the large diamond-shaped index at 12 o’clock. An outer scale, marked in 5-minute increments, allows for precise alarm setting, with a minute track running beneath it.

Powering the watch is Vulcain’s in-house, hand-wound Calibre V-10. Beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), it features twin barrels, one dedicated to timekeeping, the other to the alarm and offers a power reserve of 52 hours.

The Vulcain Cricket Classique 39 mm Black & Khaki comes fitted with a black carbon-pattern strap, secured by a stainless steel pin buckle engraved with the Vulcain logo. The retail price is AED 19,500.

The Watch is available exclusively at Waqt E-shop.