“What if I bought an alarm clock to leave my smartphone out of the bedroom?” If this thought has ever crossed your mind as you drifted off to sleep in front of your phone’s blue light, you probably haven’t yet experienced the mechanical song of the Cricket.
This iconic alarm watch from Vulcain, aptly nicknamed the “Presidents’ Watch,” is making a comeback in 2025 with a new President 39mm “Pale Salmon” edition. And let’s be clear from the start: this return skillfully blends living heritage with vintage audacity. Are you ready to listen closely? Because yes, the mechanical cricket still has things to tell you, and it does so in a devastatingly seductive pale salmon hue.
Sommaire
A Melody in History: From the 1947 Alarm to the Presidents’ Watch
1947. In the aftermath of World War II, Vulcain caused a stir by introducing the first wristwatch equipped with a truly audible alarm. Named Cricket in honor of the insect capable of producing a shrill sound despite its small size, this watch immediately became a legend. Why such excitement? Simply because the Cricket solved a watchmaking puzzle that other famous brands had given up on: how to integrate a powerful alarm into a case barely larger than a standard watch, all without sacrificing precision or compactness. Vulcain achieved this after five years of research under the direction of engineer Robert Ditisheim. The technical solution is as clever as it is unconventional: a small internal hammer strikes a pin connected to a thin metal membrane, which vibrates and amplifies the sound. The use of a double, perforated case back transforms the watch into a resonance chamber, allowing the mechanical chirp to exceed 90 dB! Moreover, the alarm’s duration is nearly 20 seconds, enough to literally get you out of bed.
Very quickly, the Cricket evolved from a technical innovation to a cultural icon. Gifted in 1953 to President Harry Truman by the White House News Photographers Association, it would never leave the 33rd U.S. President’s wrist. His successor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, already owned one—it can be spotted in some official photos—so Vulcain soon began marketing the “President’s Watch.” The slogan “Do as Ike does!” was born after a Cricket alarm went off during a 1956 press conference with Eisenhower, causing general amusement (and a small victory for Swiss watchmaking against U.S. protectionism). Throughout the 1950s, the legend grew: the Cricket also accompanied Himalayan expeditions (the ascent of K2 in 1954), was released in a smaller Golden Voice version for ladies in 1958, and as a Nautical diving watch in 1961. In short, the cricket from Le Locle was heard everywhere, from Himalayan base camps to the halls of the White House.
1958: The nickname “Presidents’ Watch” was definitively established when a third statesman adopted the Cricket. The fiery Senator Lyndon B. Johnson—who would become president in 1963—bought one during a visit to Geneva. He was so taken with it that he gave many as gifts and even confessed in a letter that without his Vulcain, he felt “somewhat less than fully dressed”! Anecdotally, Johnson started a tradition by sending an engraved Cricket to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987. A few years later, imagine the manufacturer’s surprise to see Gorbachev on the cover of Time Magazine (late 1990)… proudly wearing his Cricket. A president’s watch, indeed. To this day, almost every occupant of the White House traditionally receives a Cricket as a formal gift upon taking office. Why would Barack Obama or Donald Trump miss out? No other Swiss watch embodies such a symbol of punctual power.
Anatomy of a Renaissance: The New Cricket President 39mm
After a few quieter decades (the quartz crisis nearly silenced the cricket), Vulcain has been reviving its flagship model since 2022. Under the leadership of entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet, the Le Locle-based brand has relaunched production of the original Cricket in modernized sizes (39mm and 36mm). The President 39mm “Pale Salmon” is the latest addition to this collection, and clearly the one that catches the most attention—or should I say, visual taste buds. Its pale salmon color, inspired by the coppery patinas of vintage dials, is exquisitely refined. But make no mistake: this watch is more than just a pretty face. It is a distillation of historical know-how, updated with rare intelligence. So, shall we take a tour? Absolutely.
Case. With a diameter of 39mm (compared to 34mm for the 1950s Crickets), Vulcain strikes the perfect balance between vintage elegance and modern presence. It’s simple: this watch sits perfectly on any wrist. Neither too large nor too small, it fully embraces the “neo-vintage” turn that tasteful watchmaking has taken. Its 12.7mm thickness, while not insignificant, is kept in check by a curved case back that hugs the wrist. The lug-to-lug distance of 46mm also allows it to slip easily under a shirt cuff—the Cricket was and remains, first and foremost, a dress watch. The 316L stainless steel case alternates between mirror-polished and circular-brushed surfaces on the bezel, a visual treat without excessive glare.
On top, a double-domed sapphire crystal replicates the look of vintage bombé plexiglass while offering useful scratch resistance. Thus, the Cricket President boasts a look that is resolutely faithful to the original while withstanding the rigors of 21st-century daily life.
Movement. Vulcain’s real masterstroke is preserving the original Cricket movement at the heart of its new models. Yes, you read that correctly: the President 39mm houses the in-house V-10 caliber, which is the direct evolution of the 1947 caliber 120. In other words, the 2025 watch sounds exactly like Harry Truman’s! It features a double-barrel architecture: one stores energy for the timekeeping, while the other is dedicated to the alarm (ensuring the latter never interferes with timekeeping). The frequency has been deliberately kept “old-school” (18,000 vph, or 2.5 Hz), a wise choice to promote a full and prolonged alarm sound. The power reserve is 52 hours, and the alarm can be wound independently. As for decorations, Vulcain has updated its work: the V-10 caliber is rhodium-plated, its screws are blued, and the ratchet wheels are skeletonized—a treat for collectors, especially with the optional sapphire case back. But perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself…
For true technical enthusiasts, the presence of the Exactomatic system is also worth noting. Patented in 1946, this device equalizes friction on the balance staff in all positions by modifying the Incabloc shock protection. In practice, this ensures greater timekeeping consistency, even when the watch’s orientation changes (upright, tilted, on its side…). It’s a fine detail that Vulcain is proud to have retained to preserve the soul of the original caliber in its reissues. Ultimately, it’s hardly an exaggeration to say that wearing a 2025 Cricket President is like having a living piece of 1947 on your wrist. Incredible, isn’t it?
A “Pale Salmon” Dial That Makes a Splash
Let’s get to the most visible charm of this edition: its pale salmon dial. This hue, somewhere between coppery pink and soft champagne, is a clear nod to the patinated vintage Crickets of the 1950s. Indeed, many Vulcain watches from that era saw their lacquered dials develop an apricot or coral tint over time (due to the oxidation of the luminous radium). Vulcain has chosen to offer this visual warmth from the outset on a new, but stabilized, dial—no radiation or uncontrolled aging here, rest assured.
The result is striking: the “Pale Salmon” catches the light with a particular softness, without being too bright. Tiny flecks in the finish give it a very elegant semi-matte appearance. Certain angles even reveal creamy, almost peach-like undertones that are literally mouth-watering (see, I wasn’t kidding about “visual taste buds”…).
This color choice is also significant from a trend perspective. Salmon dials have been experiencing a major surge in popularity in the watch world for several years (the famous #salmonDial hashtag is all the rage on Instagram). Prestigious houses like Patek Philippe and A. Lange & Söhne have helped popularize these rosy hues in limited editions, elevating the salmon color to the status of a “new classic.” By reintroducing this color on a historically legitimate watch, Vulcain positions itself as a true connoisseur of market expectations. It’s worth noting that this shade is very soft, paler than the usual “smoked salmon.” It pairs easily with business attire (an anthracite suit and white shirt, for example) while adding a touch of originality that catches the eye without being jarring. And let’s be honest, this color is a delight in photos: it pops on screen, which is a nice bonus when many enthusiasts discover watches through social media or newsletters. In short, perfectly on-trend without being a follower. Bravo, Vulcain.
The “Alarm” Function: A Useful Daily Pleasure
One might think that in the age of smartphones and digital alarms, the alarm watch complication would have lost its appeal. Not at all! The Vulcain Cricket offers a unique sensory experience that never gets old, even in 2025. For one thing, the mechanical sound is much warmer (and less stressful) than the shrill tone of an iPhone. For another, the simple act of winding and setting the alarm reconnects you to time in a physical way. Need we remind you that the Cricket vibrates distinctly on the wrist when the alarm sounds, in addition to its famous chirp? It’s perfect for meetings: you feel the gentle vibration discreetly signaling that a deadline is approaching, without disturbing the entire room (you can even leave your smartphone on silent for once).
The operation of the Vulcain alarm has remained simple and clever, just as it was originally: the crown at 3 o’clock is used to wind the alarm spring (clockwise) and the watch’s mainspring (counter-clockwise). The pusher at 2 o’clock acts as a selector: when pressed, it disengages the crown, allowing you to set the alarm hand (a small, arrow-tipped hand) to the desired time, with an accuracy of about a quarter-hour.
It couldn’t be simpler. Once the alarm is set, you just have to wait for the appointed hour. You often see a look of wonder on the faces of those discovering the Cricket for the first time when the cricket begins to sing. And yes, despite its modest diameter, the shrill ring is always surprisingly powerful. A 1952 advertisement even stated that the Cricket “acts as your memory, reminds you of appointments, and brings you peace of mind.” Promise kept!
In daily use, you quickly grow fond of this little ritual. Winding your Cricket each morning, setting an alarm for the day if needed, telling yourself that this time you’ll make it to the station on time… It’s a discreet, somewhat nostalgic luxury, but a devilishly satisfying one. Who said mechanical watchmaking had to be useless? Certainly not anyone who ever jumped out of bed thanks to a Cricket on the day of an exam or a big trip!
Sapphire or Solid Case Back? The Purist’s Dilemma
For this President 39mm edition, Vulcain offers an interesting option: a transparent sapphire case back for a premium of about CHF 400. The standard version comes with a solid steel back engraved with “Cricket President.” So, you might ask, which to choose? It all depends on your priority: acoustic authenticity or the mechanical spectacle. The solid case back, as we’ve seen, plays a crucial role in the alarm’s resonance (it amplifies the sound through its calculated openings).
With it, the Cricket sings at full volume; you’re staying true to the pure tradition that Truman and LBJ knew.
The sapphire case back, on the other hand, allows you to admire the V-10 caliber in action. You can see the small hammer frantically striking its pin over 1,200 times in 20 seconds: a true spectacle. This is typically the kind of choice that sparks debate among collectors. Personally, I would lean toward the solid back to stay true to the Cricket’s soul… but I admit that watching your alarm through the glass is also very enjoyable. Thus, Vulcain imposes no compromise: everyone can choose according to their own sensibilities. Pretty neat, right?
How Much Does It Cost, Mr. President?
CHF 4,700 (list price in Switzerland): that is the sum required to wear this little piece of history on your wrist. Expensive? A bargain? The question certainly deserves to be asked.
Some might argue that for this amount, you could find a nice vintage Cricket from the 1950s (or even a second-hand Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox)—and that’s true. But are we really comparing like with like? The Pale Salmon is new, under warranty, water-resistant, and ready to wear without a costly restoration. Its caliber is in-house (extremely rare in this price range, as most watches around CHF 5k house a standard Sellita or ETA movement). Furthermore, owning a modern Vulcain Cricket means, as we’ve seen, owning the exact DNA of the watch that woke up presidents—try putting a price on that, and you’ll see it’s not so simple.
A few figures to convince you: Vulcain is a micro-player in the watch industry, with very low production volumes (a few hundred units per reference). Your new Cricket was assembled in Le Locle, adjusted by hand, tested, and pampered.
Honestly, at a time when some soulless Swiss dive watches are flirting with the CHF 7k mark, this Vulcain stands out as a great value in terms of quality and emotion. In short, for about €4,800 (incl. VAT), you walk away with an authentic historical caliber and a piece of American-Swiss heritage. Viewed that way, it’s not a high price to pay.
Conclusion: The Mechanical Cricket Still Has a Future
The Cricket President 39mm “Pale Salmon” is much more than a simple vintage reissue. It is a true declaration of love for a watchmaking classic, dressed in a bold color to win over a new generation. It has everything that made the original Cricket a success: a useful and fun complication, an elegant and functional design, and that little thrill when the alarm starts ringing on your wrist. And we want more of it! This watch manages to be both a faithful homage (mechanically, it’s pure 1947) and an object perfectly in tune with the times (its salmon dial is anything but outdated). It will delight both the discerning collector hungry for authenticity and the watch lover looking for a statement piece without technical compromise.
And so, in 2025, the cricket’s song is ringing out louder than ever in haute horlogerie. And it reminds us of one thing: even in the digital age, the emotion of a well-tuned mechanical alarm is unparalleled.
A little memory on the wrist, in short. The time always present in memory, as the old ad said: more relevant than ever!
So, will you succumb to the vintage song of the Pale Salmon? Let us know in the comments if this Cricket revival excites you as much as it does us—the conversation is open, and the cricket is just waiting to find new followers!
Pour bien s'habiller, il faut comprendre le vêtement, mais aussi la marque et sa stratégie.
- Vulcain Cricket 39mm：大統領のアラームウォッチが復活——ペールサーモン - 07/11/2025
- Vulcain Cricket 39毫米：總統鬧鈴腕錶回歸，Pale Salmon 錶盤 - 07/11/2025
- Vulcain Cricket 39毫米：总统闹铃腕表回归，Pale Salmon 表盘 - 07/11/2025