When a brand with a rich heritage like
Vulcain joins forces with a creative powerhouse like Massena LAB, the result is bound to be something special. The Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB is a testament to this collaborative spirit, a watch that seamlessly blends historical inspiration with contemporary design elements.
Vulcain, a name synonymous with Swiss watchmaking excellence, has been crafting exceptional timepieces since 1858. Their claim to fame? The Cricket, an alarm wristwatch that rose to prominence in the mid-20th century. This groundbreaking invention, known for its loud, clear alarm, even caught the attention of American presidents, earning it the moniker "The President's Watch." Vulcain's commitment to innovation and precision has solidified its position in the upper echelons of horology.
Courtesy of Vulcain
On the other side of this partnership, we have Massena LAB, the brainchild of William Massena, a prominent figure in the watch collecting community. With years of experience as a collector, retailer, and auctioneer, Massena possesses an unparalleled understanding of the market and the desires of discerning watch enthusiasts. Massena LAB, established as a platform for creative exploration, collaborates with renowned watchmakers to bring unique and unconventional timepieces to life.
The Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB is a compelling blend of Vulcain's rich history and Massena LAB's innovative approach. This isn't just a rehash of a classic; it's a reimagining, a 'what if' scenario that explores an alternate timeline for the iconic Cricket Nautical. The original Cricket Nautical, a groundbreaking diver's watch with an alarm audible underwater, emerged in 1961. But what if it had been conceived a decade earlier, in the 1950s? This question served as the starting point for the Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB.
Courtesy of Vulcain
The watch's design is a nod to vintage aesthetics, with a distinctive brown dial that evokes the charm of aged 'tropical' dials. This warm, chocolatey hue, a favorite of Massena LAB, adds a touch of character and warmth to the watch's face. The hands, a unique feature of this collaboration, are a departure from the traditional Cricket Nautical design. A baton-style hour hand, a large arrowhead minute hand, and a red arrow alarm hand create a visually striking and functional display. The hands and dial markers are filled with beige lume, emitting a green glow in low-light conditions, reminiscent of the tritium lume used in vintage watches.
One of the standout features of the Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB is its double dial, a hallmark of the Cricket Nautical. This ingenious design incorporates a decompression table, a crucial tool for divers to ensure safe ascents. By rotating the upper dial using the crown at 4 o'clock, the wearer can align the decompression scale with the aperture on the dial, providing essential information for their dive.
Courtesy of Vulcain
At the core of the Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB is the remarkable Cricket Alarm Calibre V10, an in-house movement that exemplifies Vulcain's expertise in watchmaking. This manual-wound movement, with a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), powers both the timekeeping functions and the iconic Cricket alarm. The movement's two barrels, one for timekeeping and one for the alarm, are charged by turning the crown at 3 o'clock, ensuring reliable operation and a generous power reserve of 52 hours.
The Cricket Alarm Calibre V10 is not just a functional movement; it's a work of art. Its intricate details, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, are a testament to the craftsmanship of Vulcain's watchmakers. The movement's bridges and screws are meticulously finished, and the balance wheel beats rhythmically, adding a touch of life to the watch.
Courtesy of Vulcain
The Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB features a distinctive brown dial with white and blue markings, a design choice inspired by vintage tropical dials. The dial's rich, chocolatey hue adds a touch of warmth and character, while the white and blue markers ensure excellent legibility, even in low-light conditions. The hands, designed exclusively for this collaboration, are another standout feature. The baton-style hour hand, the large arrowhead minute hand, and the red arrow alarm hand create a visually striking and functional display.
The dial also incorporates a unique double dial feature, a hallmark of the Cricket Nautical. This ingenious design allows the wearer to access a decompression table, a crucial tool for divers to ensure safe ascents. By rotating the upper dial using the crown at 4 o'clock, the wearer can align the decompression scale with the aperture on the dial, providing essential information for their dive.
The Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB is housed in a 42mm stainless steel case, a size that strikes a balance between elegance and practicality. The case features a closed "triple case back" design, which acts as a resonance chamber, amplifying the sound of the alarm and ensuring it can be heard underwater. The case is water-resistant to 300 meters, making it suitable for diving adventures.
Courtesy of Vulcain
The watch is paired with a black rubber strap, designed by Massena LAB, which is both comfortable and durable. The strap features a stainless steel Vulcain logo pin buckle, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall design.
The Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB is an exclusive offering, limited to just 25 pieces worldwide.It's available for purchase exclusively through Massena LAB's website for a price of $4,950.Given the limited production run and the collaboration with Massena LAB, this watch is likely to be highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts.If you're interested in acquiring this unique piece of horological history, swift action is recommended.
Case: 316L stainless steel, 42mm diameter, 17.35mm thick (including triple case back). Closed "Triple Case Back" design acts as a resonance chamber for the alarm. Water resistance of 300 meters.
Movement: Manual-wound Cricket Alarm Calibre V10. In-house movement with two barrels, one for timekeeping and one for the alarm. 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5Hz). 52-hour power reserve.
Dial: Brown dial with white and blue markers. Beige lume with green glow. Double dial rotates to reveal decompression scale. Hands designed by Massena LAB.
Strap: Massena LAB-designed black rubber strap with a stainless steel Vulcain logo pin buckle.
Price: $4,950.00
Notes: Limited edition of 25 pieces. Features the iconic Vulcain Cricket alarm, audible underwater. Collaboration with Massena LAB.