Vulcain’s Cricket Nautical is among the most legendary dive watches of all time. Originally introduced in 1961, it has evolved over the years, now “incorporating modern enhancements.”
Vulcain’s current catalogue includes three versions: Nautical Heritage – Black Beige Patina, Nautical Heritage – Black White Luminova, and Nautical Heritage – Full Black.
“The Cricket Nautical was the fruit of research conducted by 3 experts who pooled their knowledge and experience and, together with Manufacture Vulcain, developed the very first diver’s watch that would not only feature a system for determining no-stop dive times built right into the dial, but also sound a real alarm to signal the diver “time to get back to the surface!” – in a sleek package water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters. The trio of passionate divers: Hannes Keller, a talented Swiss physicist/ mathematician, occasional pianist, and deep-sea diving pioneer; Max-Yves Brandily, explorer and filmmaker; and Arthur Droz, a national certified diving instructor and representative of the C.I.A.S (Centre d’Investigations et d’Activités Sous-Marines – Center for Underwater Investigations and Activities).”
Image: Vintage Vulcain Cricket Nautical adverts.
Key Features
Functions
Image: Nautical Heritage – Black White Luminova. Header image: Nautical Heritage – Black Beige Patina.
Hours, minutes, and central seconds.
Alarm. The ringing time is 20 seconds +/- 5 seconds.
Decompression scale. This is adjustable via the screw-in crown at 4 o’clock.
Image: Decompression scale on the Nautical Heritage – Full Black.
“Like its forebear, the Cricket Nautical stands out with ample dimensions for its time, the diameter of 42mm making it easy to use the watch and read the dial indications underwater. Two superimposed dials – one fixed and the other rotating, adjustable with a dedicated crown at 4 o’clock – serve to determine decompression times. Depending on the dive duration and depth set on the dials, the rectangular aperture displays the stop times required at the typical depths of 9, 6 and 3 meters when ascending back to the surface after an extended underwater excursion.”
Dial Versions
Nautical Heritage – Black Beige Patina
Semi-matte black dial featuring decompression tables.
Hands are polished silver coated. Lollipop central seconds hand. Red arrow tip on alarm hand.
The hour, minute, and seconds hand (round “lollipop” bit) are coated with a beige faux patina super luminova.
Hour-markers are brown and coated with faux patina super luminova.
“Vulcain” and the brand’s logo are displayed at 12 o’clock.
Nautical Heritage – Black White Luminova
Semi-matte black dial featuring decompression tables.
Hands are polished silver coated. Lollipop central seconds hand. Red arrow tip on alarm hand.
The hour, minute, and seconds hand (round “lollipop” bit) are coated with white super luminova.
Hour-markers coated with white super luminova.
“Vulcain” and the brand’s logo are displayed at 12 o’clock.
Nautical Heritage – Full Black
Matt black dial featuring decompression tables (grey printing).
Hands are polished silver coated. Lollipop central seconds hand. Red arrow tip on alarm hand.
The hour, minute, and seconds hand (round “lollipop” bit) are coated with black super luminova.
Hour-markers coated with black super luminova.
“Vulcain” and the brand’s logo are displayed at 12 o’clock.
Movement
Powered by Cricket Alarm Calibre V10, a manual winding movement.
Diameter: 27.07 mm or 12 lignes.
Components: 165. Jewels: 25. Frequency: 18,000 vph or 2.5 Hz. Power reserve: 52 hours.
The movement features two barrels, one for timekeeping and the other for the alarm function. The crown at 3 o’clock winds both barrels. Clockwise for timekeeping and anticlockwise for the alarm system.
The movement features Vulcain’s Exactomatic system.
“The Cricket calibre is also related to another exclusive development by the Manufacture Vulcain, an innovation patented in 1946 as the Exactomatic. The purpose of the Exactomatic principle is to equalise the friction on the balance-wheel axis in all positions by modifying the Incabloc endstones. This provides a more regular amplitude.”
Case and Strap
Case is made from 316L stainless steel, polished silver coated. The Nautical Heritage – Full Black is black ion plated.
Diameter: 42 mm. Thickness: 17.35 mm (including the triple case back.)
Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. A domed plexiglass can also be selected (not available for the Nautical Heritage – Full Black.)
Closed “Triple Case Back” is made from stainless steel. It “acts as a resonance chamber, allowing for the alarm function to be used underwater.” “A sapphire crystal version embellished with the stylized Vulcain “V”” can also be selected.
Image: Closed caseback option.
Image: Sapphire crystal version.
Water resistant up to 30 ATM or 300 metres.
Image: Caseback side profile of Nautical Heritage – Full Black.
Strap options include: Black carbon leather, Black plain, Brown plain (not available for Nautical Heritage – Full Black), Black alligator (Cites), Brown alligator (Cites), Black calf skin leather printed, Brown calf skin leather alligator printed, Rubber, and Grey (not available for Nautical Heritage – Full Black).
Buckle is made from 316L stainless steel with engraved Vulcain logo.
Our Thoughts
Image: Nautical Heritage – Black Beige Patina (same as header image).
The historically inspired Cricket Nautical, with its decompression scale and alarm function, is among the most incredible dive watches in the world. It is also (relatively) easy on the wallet. Whether a collector has a passion for dive watches, or wants to add an interesting watch to his or her collection, any of the three versions of the Cricket Nautical is a hugely compelling choice. And a fantastic conversation starter at watch GTG’s.
Additional Details
Name: Vulcain Nautical Heritage – Black Beige Patina
Price: Starting from United States Dollar (USD): 4,620 (depending on options)
Name: Vulcain Nautical Heritage – Black White Luminova
Price: Starting from United States Dollar (USD): 4,620 (depending on options)
Name: Vulcain Nautical Heritage – Full Black
Price: Starting from United States Dollar (USD): 4,950 (depending on options)
Please visit the Vulcain website and Instagram page for more information and ordering information.
We recently featured the Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB, a limited edition of 25 pieces. This watch is based on the Cricket Nautical.
Image Credits: Vulcain Website.
