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Geezer
·The Vulcain Golden Voice/Movado Ladyphone
I don't remember the last time I bought a ladies watch, but seeing this little piece I was quite impressed with its overall cool appearance and how they managed to fit an alarm inside a case that measures less than 23mm.
This watch dates to the early 60's and is signed Movado Ladyphone. However, the movement is made by Vulcain and it seems to be a calibre 406 (or some derivative).
Vulcain sold watches that appear identical to this Movado using the name "Golden Voice". To me it seems likely that Movado ordered these watches from Vulcain. The Movado branded ones seem less common though, and searching for Movado Ladyphone on google doesn't bring up much information. Movado registered the trademark "ladyphone" in 1959.
The movement in this watch measures a tiny 20mm. It is well made and finished and you can see the effort it took to fit everything in a very small space. This movement was designed to accommodate a (directly driven) central second hand, although this version does not make use of this feature.
If you are familiar with Vulcain crickets, the setting is done in a similar way. Turning the crown clockwise winds the main movement, anti-clockwise the alarm. In the 2nd crown position it sets the alarm. To set the hands, the crown has to be in the 2nd position and the push-piece at 4 has to be pulled out. When the push-piece is pulled out the alarm is activated. It can be deactivated by pushing in the push-piece.
These are interesting and well made pieces. However, note that these were not at all water resistant so a lot of examples have some rust in the movement. This one has some minor rust that should clean off easily. It is in an excellent (but dirty) condition with its original strap and buckle.
Please see this youtube video (not by me) if you'd like to hear what it sounds like:
I don't remember the last time I bought a ladies watch, but seeing this little piece I was quite impressed with its overall cool appearance and how they managed to fit an alarm inside a case that measures less than 23mm.
This watch dates to the early 60's and is signed Movado Ladyphone. However, the movement is made by Vulcain and it seems to be a calibre 406 (or some derivative).
Vulcain sold watches that appear identical to this Movado using the name "Golden Voice". To me it seems likely that Movado ordered these watches from Vulcain. The Movado branded ones seem less common though, and searching for Movado Ladyphone on google doesn't bring up much information. Movado registered the trademark "ladyphone" in 1959.
The movement in this watch measures a tiny 20mm. It is well made and finished and you can see the effort it took to fit everything in a very small space. This movement was designed to accommodate a (directly driven) central second hand, although this version does not make use of this feature.
If you are familiar with Vulcain crickets, the setting is done in a similar way. Turning the crown clockwise winds the main movement, anti-clockwise the alarm. In the 2nd crown position it sets the alarm. To set the hands, the crown has to be in the 2nd position and the push-piece at 4 has to be pulled out. When the push-piece is pulled out the alarm is activated. It can be deactivated by pushing in the push-piece.
These are interesting and well made pieces. However, note that these were not at all water resistant so a lot of examples have some rust in the movement. This one has some minor rust that should clean off easily. It is in an excellent (but dirty) condition with its original strap and buckle.
Please see this youtube video (not by me) if you'd like to hear what it sounds like:
Edited:
