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Horological Meandering

Vulcain's vintage 1961 Cricket-nautical

This is a watch that is closely related to the 1st gen. JLC Polaris as those two watches shared the same case and 16 holes perforated back. Interesting the Cricket Nautilcal followed JLC's 1 st diver alarm but preceded the Polaris.The Polaris is a rare watch, if I recall correctly reading Amanico excellent reviews. But what about the Cricket-nautical? Does anyone know whether it had a long and prolific production run? There is only but scarce information available on the net as I can only track down 2 watches... Any information you might have and be inclined to share would be greatly appreciated.
Pardon the poor picture below, but I had to delete the seller's mark.
The watch shows original case, signed crown, pushers and plexiglass. And what a plexi !

Best Z'

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Do you have any more photos?

By: BDLJ : June 11th, 2012-18:58

That is one of the watches I've been chasing for a long time. I've only handled one, and that was a wreck. No idea of the production runs, but there cannot be many out there. The alarm and decompression dial make them a pretty specific and narrow-purposed...

Thanks for your input

By: ztirual : June 12th, 2012-07:33

I prefer not posting more pictures at this stage, because as stated, they are not mine. I will do so when the watch will be in my hands. Thanks for your input re. the crown, you might well be right. I'll check that if I can. I agree with you that there ca...

The crown...

By: BDLJ : June 12th, 2012-18:04

I've never seen an *original* twin (or triple) crown Super Compressor that didn't have matching crowns - same style, same diameter...usually cross hatched. :-)

Hello BDLJ

By: ztirual : June 13th, 2012-15:06

I am not sure I understand what you mean. If you have a definitive reference of a full original Cricket Nautical that shows those details, that you mention, please to post it here. I do not really know how relevant it is to compare the Cricket Nautical wi...

The Vulcain...

By: BDLJ : June 13th, 2012-17:34

...in question uses a Super Compressor case. In the image above, the winding crown - while signed - appears to be a replacement. It seems the wrong shape and diameter to be a compressor crown.

The Cricket is an exception, though.

By: amanico : October 20th, 2012-06:38

Is it? The scans from MattS....

By: BDLJ : October 24th, 2012-17:19

The scans from MattS and the 2 I've handled all have the usual, slightly domed, cross-hatched Compressor crowns.

Have a look at the '61 model. The 2 crowns are not similar in size.

By: amanico : October 24th, 2012-22:42

And I think that the ctown at 3 is not hatched... Not sure, though. But the size is clearly different. Which is not the same case with the '66 model ( a detail I ignored ). Best, Nicolas

Thanks Nicolas, you are right

By: ztirual : October 25th, 2012-00:29

Very dangerous jumping on guns on the base of one or 2 photos and generalizing by saying such type of watch 'always' or 'never' had so and so... I have never seen anywhere a mark I (straight lugs) and mark II (facetted lugs) Vulcain Cricket Nautical with ...

I saw another one, almost all correct ( no plexy and then hands were not good ).

By: amanico : October 25th, 2012-00:36

It had the same crown you described. I was interested in it, I made sme researches to see if I could find the plexy and hands, and the time I took in the search was fatal, as the watch was ... sold. :( It was 3 or 4 years ago. Still on the hunt ( but some...

Best of luck my friend

By: ztirual : October 25th, 2012-00:55

No you are not the only one, I fear. It is also close to be mission impossible to find one of those mark I or II, not to mention one with all original parts, especially crowns, hands, non polished case and intact lumes... I am very happy with mine. The cr...

Well, I have an alternative...

By: amanico : October 25th, 2012-00:57

Or I go for the long list: 60 watches. Or I go for the short list: 40 watches. Damn! ;) Best, Nicolas.

Why don't you compromise

By: ztirual : October 25th, 2012-04:11

and go for 50? Need any further help? :-) Best regards Z'

Half way is often the best way. Thanks for your help! :)

By: amanico : October 25th, 2012-04:12

The '61 just looks like it...

By: BDLJ : October 25th, 2012-15:16

..has been photographed with the crown pulled out. The diameter and shape and cross-hatch is the same . The example from ztirual has a larger diameter, non-cross hatched crown, with no slight dome. Completely different to the one on the '61 photo. So now ...

Maybe, my friend. Exceptions are sometimes more important than the rule. ;) [nt]

By: amanico : October 25th, 2012-22:35

vulcain cricket nautical

By: JOHNACONNOLLY : October 15th, 2012-07:59

HI Ztirual,having bought my nautical in 1963 and still have it, the original winding crown has a raised V on it, the cross hatch is correct also on the other crown. Also for information there was a change in this model in its life the early seventies I h...

Dear John,

By: ztirual : October 15th, 2012-13:39

First of all welcome to this forum. I hope you will also find it a nice, hospitable and informative space. Many thanks for your post and sorry for not having spotted it ealier. What you write is very interesting and infirms an other opinion voiced earlier...

Vulcain Cricket Nautical.

By: JOHNACONNOLLY : October 16th, 2012-04:06

Hi, Z.on enlarging your watch photo I noticed the pusher for the alarm seems to go through a sleeve on the watch ? My vulcain has no sleeve on watch body for the pusher which has a plain top ie no hatch pattern.I bought mine were also billed as being quo...

Sleeve in the watch = recessed?

By: ztirual : October 16th, 2012-06:39

Dear John, thanks again. i really look forward to your pictures. i am unable to respond to your post for the reason stated in my last reply. i will contact you when I am back via PM (private mail) Best. Z'

I have information from the Vulcain 150th anniv book in pdf

By: Ginger : June 12th, 2012-08:18

If one of the mods can explain how to insert a pdf I will do it for the general public. Zitrual, if you pm me with an email address - use spaces or it won't come through, I can send it to you directly with some other comments. Ginger

Many thanks, Ginger

By: ztirual : June 12th, 2012-11:31

I'll send you a pm right away. Best- Z'

Very interesting watch Z....

By: DivingT : October 15th, 2012-23:04

....and one I no nothing about, but you have got me very interested in your one!! I'd love to learn what you have learnt from new member John (welcome!) and Ginger, and of course see more pictures of yours. Lack of spares and replacement parts seems to be...

Will keep you posted too, Tony

By: ztirual : October 16th, 2012-06:26

Best. Z'

Dear John & Tony, PM sent :-) [nt]

By: ztirual : October 20th, 2012-05:02

Maybe this helps...

By: MattS : October 20th, 2012-05:56

source: Classic Wristwatches Muser & Horlbeck Matt ...

I didn't know there were two so aesthetically close. Thanks for the scan.

By: amanico : October 20th, 2012-06:39

Truly intersting...

By: nitediver : October 22nd, 2012-14:03

..thanks for the post, Z. I own a new version of the Cricket Nautical (a few years old) and i think it is a great dive watch, as it has a look close to the original plus the plexi. I have never seen an original Nautical though and hope we get to see more ...