Vulcain watches could be so great, but they're not |  

The Vulcain Cricket was good enough for Steve McGarett on Hawaii 50.

I was given a Vulcain Tachymeter watch when I was 12 years old I still have and I am 63. It is a handwinding movement with a panda dial. 17 jewel Incabloc, 37mm. I wore this watch all through my youth, basketball, football, skiing, climbing trees, racing, i will never sell it.

Great info imparted on the concept of branding. I like Vulcain, owned one for a time. I hear they are on the ropes, that they laid off nearly half their staff. I would hate to see them go away. Most product manufacturers are not fortunate enough to create a recognizable product name like the "Cricket". Too bad they are going to fritter it away.

This was well articulated. Although, as several others have commented, the content of the piece doesn't actually map onto the title. Nevertheless, his points seem to me spot on. Vulcain is a cool brand that should do more to make that known. Narrow the offerings, articulate the narrative, and, for god's sake, fix the website. Appreciated the vid.

Even today, their website is totally useless.

Wasn’t the “cricket” brand name sold to Revue Thommen many years ago, in the 1970s and they made different models including a 1997 special edition, however Revue Thommen went bankrupt in the mid 2000s and sold the “cricket” line back to Vulcain, and the rest to Grovana, which in turn sold off Revue Thommen to a private equity group in 2014.

Greatness as branding and pedigree are concerned. Brilliant points, and exactly the detailed concepts that us real watch guys get hung on!

An important thing - the first US President that was presented a Cricket by Vulcain was Barack Obama. Prior to this: Truman - White House News Photographers Association Eisenhower - Nobody really knows, but Michel Ditisheim (last remaining link to the original Vulcain) states clearly that Vulcain under Ditisheim never presented a watch personally to a US President prior to. Johnson - Same story, but he became such a fan that he had his aids scour the Geneva area buying (rumors have it) up to 200 pieces. Johnson later presented these to various people, including Secretary of Defense McNamara Nixon - Received his as a thank you from the National Association of Watch and Clock Makers for a speech he gave. Ford - Received his as a gift from the Paajanen family who with the help of Michel Ditisheim ordered 100 Crickets (that at that time were made under the Revue Thommen label). The dials are marked Vulain, the case backs, crowns, straps, buckles and even packaging are marked Revue Thommen. Ford received his while visiting Helsinki after leaving office. Carter - Received his as a gift from the Paajanen family who presented it to him at the US Ambassador's residence in Helsinki. Reagan - Received his while on a brief stop over in Helsinki prior to a summit in Moscow. The watch was forwarded to the US Embassy by the Paajanens. Bush - Received his from the Paajanens. Clinton - Received his from the Paajanens. Bush (the younger) never received a Vulcain Cricket. Obama - Received 2 Vulcains: 1 Paajanen/Ditisheim model from the Paajanens, 1 Anniversary model from Vulcain. Trump - Received 2 Vulcains: 1 Paajanen/Ditisheim model from the Paajanens, and one from Vulcain. The actual model remains somewhat of a mystery. Biden - Received a stainless steel Paajanen/Ditisheim model from the Paajanens when he was Vice President. All photos in various blogs of him and his Cricket have misidentified both the model and the source ; ). Biden has not been presented a Vulcain Cricket from Vulcain in Le Locle. So far, he is the ONLY recipient of one of the Paajanen/Ditisheim Vulcain Crickets who was photographed (multiple times) wearing the gift.

its not about how theorteicly statisticly good something is, it is about the alchemy and this is why u r inferuir to us

Everything you just criticized about the brand makes me like them even more (I realize this video is old so don't know if they have changed).

I used to buy from a jeweler who had these watches, new and vintage. He had one gifted to him by Trump's campaign team since he was involved in the 2016 election as a volunteer. The watches are unique because of the cricket sound. They also have a history of being tied to past U.S. Presidents. But there are way better brands of watches at similar price points to the Vulcain Cricket.

the benrus wrist alarm is better

Harsh but fair

Hey T&H, why is it watch brands of the past don't seem to die or go out of business? I've gotten heavily into vintage watches in the last year and every obscure watch brand i find has a website and they still sell watches! (all be it modern cheap versions of what they sold in the 60s,70s) A few examples are: YEMA, FAVRE LEUBA, NIVADA CROTON, Not only are they still around, there websites look like they were made in the late 90's and they make no effort to advertise anywhere? my question is how do they make a business in today's world? Are they living off the past success if indeed they even had any? Its almost like the name needs to live in somehow

Great vid, Christian. A vintage Vulcain is nearly impossible to date since their archival lists are as incomplete as their website is navigatible. Along the bumpy, twisting research trail (I have a Vulcain pocket watch), I read somewhere that many of their business issues had to do with microcosmic racism i.e. resentment between Northern and Western Swiss--I kid you not.

This brand has sooo much potential. Come on Vulcain. For God's sake, at least provide a way for people to search for an authorized dealer on your websites.

I get ckose to pulling the trigger on one of their alarm watches so many times but get put off by the movement being too small for the case... which is inexcusable if you've been making the same watch for so long

I had seen Vulcain watches but didn't know anything about them. Also Chrisitan I sent you a message on facebook about a listing on ebay, it's a simple question. Hope you can find the time to answer. Thank you and great video!

Rolex also changed the name of the iconic Cosmograph, to the Cosmograph Daytona. I enjoyed your perspective on the Vulcain. Thanks for your content.

Just seen this brand for the first time today and you are absolutely correct, it is such a nice brand but so much they are doing is not helping themselves. Starting with their website like you say it is shocking, maybe they have no money to invest there as they have spent it all in devolping their watches. Real nice watches though.

Okay, last double JLC pronunciation video, pick one or the other, both are right IMO....Great vid and great content as always!

Thanks good info on the brand and i do agree.. so what would be advisable as a vulcain watch to buy now days not vintage in there line up?

well, they stop once and they are now stoping again. Very nice complication, but in my opinion they should ahve work on the alarm sound to have a cricket but also a nicer ringing tone for everyday use. a little expansiv and now that an investment has an after sales issues...

I just heard they are up for sale! An opportunity?

Their horrible website tells you everything you need to know about the brand. A sad case of underachievement and ridiculously poor business strategy

As of this minute you have 8888 subscribers. Congrats!

u know so much....i am very jealous!😚 btw Vulcain should opt ur opinions and make them work! good info,@Christian!🤗

Facebook just changed their name to Meta

Hi Christian, I'm Muslim, nice review 👌

VULCAIN is the one brand that really could be great again. Great video

To the hardcore watch enthusiasts, they will know the connection with the "Cricket" to the US Presidents who wore them; however, I can understand how the average watch consumer would not know that and that this is just a way to get that narrative across. I don't necessary believe they're doing a good job executing that, but it doesn't completely not make sense either.

First of all why are you so mad and aggressive !! It takes from your credibility and from the idea you want to deliver to your audience ,now I handle one of their watches I own a cricket and I think it's one of the greatest watches out there and I think for the size of their production and how bad is the market for watchmaking nowadays they're doing ok ( if a great watch price go down in the market that's just a plus for me as a customer ) Relax

Show me the time pieces and discuss their features and comparisons with other timepieces

What is the watch in the watch check here?

They have a "Herbie Hancok" model 160551.302L. That is funny.

Yo Christian, I've loved your show for some time. I want to find out why no one seems to rate the Omega Globemaster. Tim Masso did a good review, but then he was trying to flog one in his shop. I know you're not into Speedys and love your vintage Seamasters. but you have nothing to say about the new Constalation, bar your video slating the one with the months complication. and it's not because you focus on vintage as you plug the Railmaster. i'm saving for either the Globemaster or the Fifty Fathems Batho... but feel that the much more affordable Globemaster (blue face, steel on a strap) is being dismissed as a DateJust homage. thoughts?

Vulcain are expensive.

Vulcan is great. Period.

Please cover their new releases

Breitling says hi.

Thought you were just going to bitch but you actually made really good points I agree with. Love the brand too and want them to fix the things you mentioned.

I want one.

Right on the money!

LOL, they're impossible to follow. But who are they, where, why?

Christian for Vulcan CEO!!!!!!!

Damn, I agree with everything you said. Hitting "subscribe" now.

what are the best easy to service Vintage watches? I've been wanting to get one but my budget us very small right now probably less than 100usd if it's cheap to service or up to 150 if its already service. I know probably unrealistic but just wondering.

It was Revue Thommen watches with vulcain movement. Google MSR group. It was the Revue Thommen Cricket watch that were actually worn by the presidents.

Like your vids! You know your watches. Do you work from an outline? Sounds like stream of consciousness...👍

Huh?

Don't the watches cost 8000 dollars? That's not too affordable and at that price a little movement decoration would be more standard.

Snowflake generation pms review.

Their web site is still shit

pretentious guy

Vulcan is great. Period.