Vulcain Multi-Scale Chronometre 'NOS' Chronograph

Overall Condition: Outstanding, new old stock condition. Case shows only faint signs of wear from gentle handling and display. Dial shows even patina throughout.

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.

The Vulcain chrono that we feature here is one of the most beautiful. Executed in 14K gold with a beautiful silver dial with twin registers, this manually wound beauty flaunts blue timing scales with faceted indexes, leaf hands, and recessed pushers. A unique articulating lug design integrates the strap directly into the case. Best of all, the caseback features a flip tab to open and reveal the stunning manually wound movement ticking within. This is a watch with history and personality, and deserves a place in your watchbox!