Vulcain 'Teamsters'

There are several features and characteristics that make a vintage watch appealing, but one that we have a keen eye for is a ‘double-signed’ dial. Throw in some extra provenance and now you’re really pulling on our vintage heart strings.

This particular Vulcain has both.

Vulcain watches manage to fly mostly under the radar in the U.S., yet watches from the Swiss brand have been worn by everyone from American Presidents to Italian Alpinists. Although mostly known for their Cricket alarm watches, unbeknownst to many, Vulcain has forayed into the worlds of dive watches, dress watches and in this particular example, a double-signed commemorative watch for a Teamsters union employee dating back to the late 1970s.

This example we have here features a 36mm stainless steel rounded square cushion case (affectionally known as a ‘squound’ case in these parts!) that bears more than a passing resemblance to an Analog:Shift favorite - the Heuer Camaro. Fitted with an acrylic crystal, polished steel bezel, unsigned crown, Calibre UT31 manual-winding movement and a brown leather strap. On the surface, the case embodies a well-worn life on the road but still retains its sharp case edges and stout lug profile. 

Front and center is the Teamsters emblem adorned on a satin blue dial. The emblem shows a pair of horses, one named Thunder and the other, Lightning, symbolically representing the pillars of the Teamsters organization. The storied American union can trace their history of ‘double-signed’ commemorative watches given to those employees who have displayed exemplary service, to multiple brands, with Vulcain being one of them. The logo’s yellow and light blue accents have faded to further compliment the blue dial has faded but compliment the blue dial, acting as a backdrop for the dial furniture including a stick hand set, rectangular hour indices and date window at 3 o’clock.

The screw-down caseback reads the engraving example “EARL TIDROW ROAD DRIVERS COMM. MTR. FRT. 1978” harkening back to a time when a man among many played a significant role in shaping labor and transportation history in the United States. 

Provenance, A double-signed dial, and lovely patina  – this watch has vintage charm in spades and is a great piece of American history to add to any collection.

If you’ve heard of Vulcain, it’s no doubt because of the Cricket.
Vulcain unveiled the Cricket in 1947 at the famous Waldorf Astoria in New York City. It caused a media sensation, and for good reason: the Cricket was the first wristwatch to feature an alarm function. While other brands then developed their own alarm movements — most notably Jaeger-LeCoultre with its Memovox — the Cricket was the first working model, making it a true milestone in modern-day horology.
Indeed, in addition to being the world's first alarm caliber, the Calibre 120 was also among the most accurate. This was thanks to Vulcain's Exactomatic system, for which Vulcain secured the patent in 1946. The Exactomatic system achieved unprecedented equilibrium of the balance wheel in all positions, guaranteeing accuracy to within four or five seconds a day.
The Vulcain Calibre 120 would go on to power watches that would adorn the wrists of such august personages as every US President since Nixon (except George W. Bush). Despite this more regal association, the Cricket also found its way onto the wrists of mountaineers — in fact, the watch accompanied the first expedition to reach the 28,250 foot peak of K2, in the Himalayas.
The Cricket also found itself in a most unlikely place: under the ocean. In collaboration with underwater explorer Hannes Keller, Vulcain developed a submersible Cricket model. Keller had descended to a depth of 728 feet in the Italian Lake Maggiore in 1961, making him an ideal consultant for Vulcain. Along with diving instructor Arthur Droz and Max-Yves Brandly, noted explorer and film director, Vulcain began development of the Cricket Nautical.
Like the original of 1947, the 1961 Cricket Nautical made waves. It was the first wristwatch that could sustain a depth of 300 meters. Additionally, like the later Doxa Sub 300T, it featured decompression charts — in this case on the dial in concentric circles. Vulcain ensured the audibility of the alarm with a triple case back, while 1970s models would feature large 42mm cushion cases with brushed finishing.
Vulcain struggled through the Quartz Crisis in the 1970s and 1980s, and was subsequently sold toward the end of the 1990s. Rights to the brand were acquired by the PMH (Production et Marketing Horologer), and the Cricket V10 was introduced in 2001. Today, the firm continues to introduce new Cricket models and continues to equip sitting U.S. presidents with the famed alarm watch.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

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