Ask any collector what the President’s Watch is, and they’ll likely point to the iconic full-gold Rolex Day-Date, popularised during Lyndon B. Johnson’s time in office. But before Rolex’s marketing department laid claim to the title, one watch was already synonymous with the White House and perhaps more deserving of the moniker: the Vulcain Cricket.
The Cricket has been worn by more U.S. presidents than any other timepiece, largely due to one standout feature – its alarm. When your schedule is as tightly packed as that of a U.S. president (leisurely golf rounds aside), an alarm can be just as useful as a team of aides to keep you moving from one meeting to the next.
Vulcain wasn’t the first watchmaker to experiment with alarm functionality, but they were the ones who made it work on the wrist. The sound was generated by a hammer striking a steel pin inside the watch, producing a distinctive “chirping” sound. However, this innovation came with two major issues: the alarm could rapidly drain the power from the movement, and with case sizes around 34mm at the time, the sound simply wasn’t loud enough – certainly not to rouse a sleeping commander-in-chief.
Vulcain’s solution was twofold. First, they introduced a second barrel dedicated solely to the alarm, powered via the same crown but on a separate wind. This allowed the alarm to run for nearly 30 seconds without affecting the main timekeeping. Second, they implemented a dual caseback structure, which acted as a resonance chamber to amplify the alarm’s volume significantly. The result, five years in the making, was the 1947 Cricket – a watch that became an instant horological icon.
Vulcain calibre 120 & V10
As with many icons, time and technology eventually caught up. The original Calibre 120 movement began to feel outdated, and Vulcain – like many mechanical watchmakers – was hit hard during the quartz crisis. Why stick with a mechanical alarm when a digital beep did the job more reliably?
So, when Vulcain made its comeback in 2022, it did so with a modern reinterpretation of the presidential movement: the V10. Conceptually similar to the original, the V10 retains the hammer-and-pin alarm, dual power reserves, and acoustically enhanced caseback. However, everything has been elevated. The jewel count increased from 17 to 25, the power reserve now stretches to 52 hours, and the alarm hammer strikes the pin 1,200 times during its 20-second run—reaching up to 78 decibels. That’s roughly the volume of a washing machine: plenty loud for personal use without disturbing the neighbourhood.
Vulcain Cricket President 36mm/39mm
It’s worth noting that the alarm’s sound profile varies depending on case material. Steel and titanium offer better resonance than precious metals, and a sapphire caseback will project better than a solid one. Still, regardless of configuration, the V10 delivers a pronounced, unmistakable alert.
Styling-wise, today’s Vulcain Cricket pays homage to its 75-year legacy with three distinct dial variants: Classique, Tradition, and President. All models come in either a 36mm or 39mm case, but with varying dial aesthetics.
The President version is the most refined, featuring slim indexes, a detailed minute track split into 60 precise markers for alarm accuracy, and elegant dauphine hands. It’s also the most colourful, offered in stunning pistachio green and salmon dials.
Vulcain Cricket Tradition / Classique
The Tradition model draws closer to the 1940s original, with alternating triangular indexes and numerals, occasionally highlighted by a red-tipped alarm hand. It sits stylistically between the President and the more rugged Classique.
The Classique, by contrast, exudes a military edge. It uses bold numerals from 1 to 11 and a large triangular 12 o’clock marker, all framed in a sector-style dial. Its Alpha hands are generously lumed, and the khaki brown version in particular stands out for its utilitarian aesthetic.
Whichever version you choose, the Vulcain Cricket remains a masterclass in practical watchmaking—a small, handsome timepiece housing a big, bold sound. And while you needn’t be a head of state to appreciate its heritage, the next time someone asks about the President’s Watch, you’ll know the real answer: it’s the Vulcain Cricket.
More details at Vulcain.
