VULCAIN, the watch for presidents

[Ernie Romers]

Well, let me begin to state that I feel like a president, president of Watchuseek and therefore had no problem to put this one on my wrist :



Unfortunately I had to return it to Mr. Wasserman, the new distributor of VULCAIN watches in the USA. And when I took it off, I could have a more closer look at the beautiful and very thin case of this new Classic in Gold:



Remember, I believe that watches are great (can you tell from the website I built?), but the one thing I believe in more, is the people behind them. It is not the ambassador for any brand you can think of, it is the person behind the brand or the people involved with the brand. Such people are Mr. Wasserman and his daughter.

I met the very charming and warm person, Mr. Wasserman and his beautiful and most kind daughter, Sarah for the 3rd year in a row. The former years they were both involved with other brands, but this year they were very excited to introduce me to VULCAIN, and I believe they made a wise and good decision. I have loved VULCAIN watches myself for many, many years, and I am sure I am not the only one.

The funny thing Mr. Wasserman mentioned was that he loves Jazz music and especially the music of Herbie Hancock. That in itself is not funny of course, but it happens to be that VULCAIN launched a special Herbie Hancock model (available in steel (USD 7,000.00) and in Gold) per request of Mr. Wasserman and with the approval of Mr. Hancock:




(and coincedentally, if you open the VULCAIN website, you will hear Herbie playing)

The new VULCAIN chronos bring us back to the 30s, when VULCAIN launched their first one-push chronographs.

About VULCAIN
The Vulcain watch manufacturer was founded in 1858 and is the inventor of the alarm complication for wristwatches. This innovation made the Vulcain watches popular with American presidents starting with Harry S. Truman, earning the brand its reputation as “The Watch for Presidents”.

The original President’s Watch with its 50s look is now available once more: with the same functions, but in a contemporary design and an automatic movement.





A few more pictures I took from the VULCAIN Cloisonne collection:



No need to explain this is the Year of the Dragon. Beautiful enamel dials on these world timers.



and with the Olympic Games coming, this collection may find its way to the sports loving watch fans, who are not specifically in need for a true sports watch:





I would like to thank both Mark and Sarah, and Mr. Bernard Fleury (CEO) for their hospitality and I hope you've enjoyed my little report.

Attachment 681385
picture courtesy of iW International Watch Magazine

Related link: vulcain

More details about the Hancock and Classic watch below:

[Ernie Romers]

Watch manufacturer Vulcain is establishing an exclusive partnership with pianist Herbie Hancock: an encounter between two legends that has found its first expression in the creation of two limited-edition 50s Presidents’ Watch models dedicated to the brilliant pianist.

Herbie Hancock is a jazz chameleon who has made his way through changing styles and eras while consistently adding his own touch of musical genius. A gifted musician who played with legendary figures such as Miles Davis and Chaka Khan, a brilliant performer who has earned multiple distinctions including 12 Grammy Awards, Herbie Hancock has recently agreed to share with Vulcain his love for the blue notes of jazz through an exclusive partnership. A specialist of mechanical alarm watches thanks to its iconic Cricket movement, the Manufacture in Le Locle is celebrating this new partnership by creating a limited-edition Presidents’ Watch model. Thanks to this alliance with Herbie Hancock, the watch company is pursuing its support for the world of culture and thereby strengthening its presence in the world of jazz – the global musical movement born in the United States and which remains a perpetual source of experimentation and renewal, very much like that of Fine Watchmaking. With their unique midnight-coloured dials, the two 18K rose gold and steel limited series will provide a tasteful accompaniment for “blue mood” enthusiasts.

Embodying the free-spirited spirit of jazz and its penchant for exploring uncharted territory, the “Herbie Hancock” 50s Presidents’ Watch by Vulcain features a sunburst dial in an entirely original intense shade of blue. Equipped with the legendary mechanical hand-wound Cricket V-16 movement, the timepiece displays the hours, minutes, seconds and date, as well as the alarm. The case measures 42 mm in diameter for a perfect fit on the wrist, and its back is engraved with the name of the celebrated musician. The “Herbie Hancock” 50s Presidents’ Watch is available in two limited editions: one in 18K rose gold issued in a series of 50; and another in steel in a 250-piece limited series. Each of the watches in this Herbie Hancock special edition is also accompanied by a certificate bearing his signature and authenticating the limited-edition production of each of the models, along with an album by the artist.

case: steel 316L - Diameter 42.00 mm - Length 50.00 mm - Height 12.40 mm - sapphire case-back revealing the stylised «V» for Vulcain and engraved with the name of the celebrated musician
dial : blue sunray dial with rhodium indexes and Herbie Hancock signature – Limited Edition of 250 pieces
crystal: domed shape sapphire
water-resistance: 50 meters/160 feet
strap: Louisiana Alligator – Dimensions: 22/18 mm
buckle : steel pin buckle
Calibre Vulcain Cricket manufacture V-16: 12-lignes mechanical hand-wound alarm calibre with date, 17 rubies, 191 parts, double barrel, equipped with the Exactomatic system, lift angle 48°
Functions: hour, minute, centre seconds, alarm, date window
FrEquency: 18'000 vibrations per hour
power reserve: 42 hours
alarm duration: 20 seconds

Herbie Hancock: an exceptional career
Born in Chicago in 1940, Herbie Hancock was 11 years old when he first appeared on-stage, performing Mozart’s concerto n° 5 on the piano and accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Equally fascinated by both science and electronics, he graduated from university with two degrees: one in music and another in electrical engineering. This naturally eclectic mind-set drew him to the most inspired researchers in the field of jazz. Miles Davis in particular asked him to join him for sessions that would leave an indelible imprint on jazz music history.

Eager to explore new avenues, Herbie Hancock subsequently founded his own group, the Headhunters. Their first eponymous album became the first platinum record in the history of jazz, and the “Chameleon” hit was an instant legend. Herbie Hancock’s projects were to have a profound influence on jazz and on American music in general. He is indeed considered one of the prime promoters of funk, an instigator of rap, as well as a source of inspiration for R&B artists. He even released the Future2Future album in 2001, merging technology and music. By associating computers with turntables and legendary voices, he laid a new milestone in the quest for contemporary sounds.

Alongside his professional commitments, Herbie Hancock also supports several charitable causes pursuing a social, musical or medical mission. In 2011 at a ceremony in Paris, Herbie Hancock was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of intercultural dialogue.

[Ernie Romers]

As a watchmaking manufacturer founded in 1858, Vulcain has consistently enjoyed an international reputation thanks to the fine craftsmanship and elegance embodied in its timepieces. To emphasise this mastery of watchmaking technique and style, the brand is enriching its historical line with the 50s Presidents’ Classic model.

A specialist of alarm calibres, including its legendary “Cricket” model acclaimed by horological connoisseurs, Vulcain is also distinguished by its fabulous history in the art of time measurement. To celebrate this unique heritage, the Manufacture is complementing its historical collection with the 50s Presidents’ Watch Classic model. Offering a subtle blend of elegance, finesse and sophisticated watchmaking technique, this newcomer also pays tribute to the style of the 1950s, while interpreting it in a contemporary manner.

Aesthetically speaking, the 50s Presidents’ Classic features a remarkable sunray dial in charcoal grey, silver-toned or blue versions. Graced with diamond-polished hour-markers, it displays 3, 9 and 12 o’clock numerals interpreted a slender and graphically striking vintage spirit. The Vulcain name at 12 o’clock is accentuated by a stylised applied “V”, as well as by the inscription “Automatic” appearing in the lower part. Graduated with a fine minute circle around its circumference, the dial bears a date window at 6 o’clock.

The 42 mm-diameter case in 18K rose gold or steel is water-resistant to 50 metres and houses the mechanical bidirectional self-winding Vulcain V-56 movement. This calibre is adorned with haute horlogerie finishes such as a ”Côtes de Genève” motif, blued screws and a rhodiumed treatment. The V-56 movement boasts a 42-hour power reserve and drives the hours, minutes, central seconds hands as well as the aperture-type date display. A cambered glareproofed sapphire crystal protects the dial, while a second crystal on the back serves reveals the intricate workings of the mechanism inside.

A new embodiment of the classic and elegant watch, the 50s Presidents’ Watch Classic is fitted with a Louisiana alligator leather strap secured by an 18K rose gold or steel pin buckle.

case: steel 316L or 18k pink gold - Diameter 42.00 mm - Length 49.80 mm - Height 8.60 mm – sapphire case-back
dial : charcoal grey sunray dial with rhodium indexes
crystal: domed shape sapphire
water-resistance: 50 meters/160 feets
strap: Louisiana Alligator – Dimensions: 22/18 mm
Buckle: steel pin buckle
Vulcain calibre V-56: 111/2-lignes mechanical automatic calibre with date, 25 rubies, 93 parts, lift angle 47°
Functions: hour, minute, centre seconds, date window
Frequency: 28’800 vibrations per hour
power reserve: 42 hours
automatic winding: in 2 directions
decoration: Côtes de Genève motifs, blued screws
movement coating: rhodium

[Ernie Romers]

One of the undisputed strengths of Vulcain’s marketing – formerly simply referred to as a sales technique – lay in its early sense of the attraction exercised by football. The ultimate global team sport, football enjoyed particularly spectacular success in Spanish speaking countries, where the brand was well established by the early 20th century. The association between a watch, the choreography of carefully timed moves on a football field, and a group of elite young sportsmen proved a winning formula, as is confirmed by the letter written to Vulcain by the Real Madrid coach Francisco Bru: “Our training sessions, calculated using an incredibly chronometer-precision Vulcain watch, have led us to our decisive win in the 1934 Spanish Championship”. That same year, Bru also led the team to victory in the Spanish Football Cup. It was the start of the reign of its President Santiago Bernabéu, who was first a legendary player who scored over 1,200 goals wearing the team jersey – and later the charismatic boss after which the current stadium is named.

In addition to the Real Madrid team, Italy’s La Fiorentina club also entrusted Vulcain with equipping it with high-quality timepieces. The Manufacture from Le Locle has decided to highlight this prestigious sporting past through the 50s Presidents’ Chronograph Heritage, a re-edition of the vintage model in a contemporary 42 mm size. Echoing the graphic design of the original dial, it comes in three different versions: black with brown transfer, “eggshell” white with black transfer and silver-toned with blue transfer. The font used is also the same as on the historical model, especially for the logo and the numerals. In addition to the minute circle around its circumference, the dial is enlivened by a pulsometric scale underscored by the inscription “Gradué pour 30 pulsations” (graduated for 30 heartbeats). The legend “chronometer” appears below the Vulcain name at 12 o’clock, thereby specifying this chronograph’s undisputed vocation for excellence.

The 50s Presidents’ Chronograph Heritage is equipped with the single-pusher self-winding Vulcain V-57 chronograph calibre, a movement chronometer-certified by the COSC. Endowed with a 42-hour power reserve, it drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, sweep seconds chronograph and 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock.

Water-resistant to 50 metres, the 42 mm case in 18K rose gold or steel is fitted with a Louisiana alligator leather strap with 18K rose gold or steel pin buckle.

case: steel 316L or 18k 5N pink gold - Diameter 42.00 mm - Length 50.00 mm - Height 13.75 mm – sapphire case-back
dial : black
crystal: domed shape sapphire
water-resistance: 50 meters/160 feets
strap: Louisiana Alligator – Dimensions: 22/18 mm
Buckle: steel pin buckle
Calibre Vulcain V-57: 13¼-lignes mechanical automatic single-pusher type chronograph movement, 25 rubies, 105 components, lift angle 50°
Functions: hour, minute, seconds counters at 9 o’clock, date window at 6 o’clock, centre second chronograph, 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock
Frequency: 28'800 vibrations per hour
power reserve: 42 hours
decoration: Côtes de Genève motifs, blued screws
movement coating: rhodium