The desire for humans to create a tool to tell time dates all the way back to 1500BC. The earliest inventions came out of Ancient Egypt and Greece: hourglasses, water clocks, oil laps sundials etc. The need for an alarm function soon followed. As it often went with the history of horology, alarm functions were introduced in the form grandfather clocks, wall clocks and pocket watches before eventually making the transition into wristwatches. The first wristwatch was conceived by Eterna in 1914. There were many growing pains with the initial designs. The alarm was inefficient in creating sound substantial enough to consistently wake its intended user. It was also error-prone often misfiring at incorrect times and when it did operate as intended the function would drastically drain the mainspring. Approximately 30 years would pass before the world would see a practical and reliable wristwatch. Its creator? Vulcain. Vulcain would introduce the cricket: an alarm wrist watch that sported a simple yet reliable mechanism for setting the alarm. Its cricket models would also feature a pusher that conveniently "turned off" the alarm. The caseback would also creatively have holes carved out to allow for increased sound to be produced by the watch itself. 

ABOUT THIS WATCH: 

MANUFACTURER: Vulcain

MODEL: Alarm

REFERENCE: 999-0074.2

SERIAL: Unknown

YEAR: C.1960s

DIAL: The silver sunburst dial is in fair condition. It presents with even spotting throughout as illustrated in pictures that is more or less noticeable depending on viewing angle and lighting. It features applied Arabic numerals and sports baton style hands.

CASE: The 34mm base metal over stainless steel back is in good shape. The case shows wear throughout commensurate with its age. The bevels on all four lugs can still be appreciated. It features screw down case back and is 40mm lug to lug x 11mm thick.

MOVEMENT: Movement stamped "Vulcain Watch Co.- Unadjusted - Seventeen 17 jewels." The movement was last serviced in January of 2023. It currently winds, sets and runs. It is keeping good time. The alarm functions correctly.

BRACELET: Comes on the pictured strap.

ACCESSORIES: None. 

BOX/PAPERS: No.

BANK WIRE PRICE: $450