Vulcain Exotic Dial Chronograph

Why We Love It

We know. Sometimes our descriptions of design iconography and historical significance become a little heavy-handed. Can you blame us?

So, how about this? This watch is just plain cool.

You're looking at a cushion-cased Vulcain chronograph from the 1970s - the decade of colorful, oversized sports watches that were built to be tough as nails, and are massively fun to collect.

This particular example  utilizes the Valjoux 7734, the same manual-winding chronograph movement with date function that powered many of our favorite Heuer chronographs from the era. Housed in an a perfectly sized (and wonderfully comfortable!) 38mm case and fitted with barrel pushers, this colorful watch features an exotic dial with incredibly colorful design elements, appled luminous indices, orange chronograph seconds hand, and a printed inner bezel ring with printed tachymetre and pulsations scales.

The overall result is a visually-arresting watch, sporty and sharp--which will make a perfect companion for fans of exotic dial designs and racing spirit. 

The Story

Vulcain is likely best known for its innovative Cricket alarm watch. While brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre developed its own wrist alarm, Vulcain is noteworthy for doing it first. Unveiled in 1947, the Cricket ranks as one of the most accurate and well-known of Vulcain's watches, and has been bestowed to almost every President since Truman.

Yet despite this lineage, Vulcain also produced other wristwatches--many of them with complications such as chronographs. The brand's founder, Maurice Ditisheim, was himself an expert in the production of complicated movements for pocket-watches. So it's no surprise that his company--named after that divine master mechanic, the god Vulcan--would produce perhaps the most versatile of complications, the chronograph.

Along with many other brands (from Hamilton to Rolex), Vulcain utilized chronograph movements designed by famed èbauche manufacturer Valjoux. Valjoux--founded by Adolphe Nicole in 1844--specialized from the very beginning in the production of manually-wound chronograph movements. The manufacturer further changed the course of horological history by developing the first chronograph movement with a column wheel in the 1890s, a technology which would be featured in almost every chronograph until Landeron developed the cam in the late 1940s.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

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.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

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.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.