Once again I'm posting about something I need thoughts on. This time it's this Vulcain Cricket. Listing says it runs and I thought the dial was neat. Price is at $300 but no pictures of the movement. Slight discolouration on the dial and the case back looks polished but does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

 

That's a very interesting watch for $300.

 

Definitely no means an expert on Vulcain but I've seen them here and there around OF and when I saw this one for $300 it caught my eye. Would very much appreciate any comments on it!

 

The dial and hands look OK to me. The textured quadrant dial was a popular dial design on many watches in the 1950s, so your example probably dates to that era. The outer alarm scale is unusual. Your example should have the Vulcain in-house Caliber 120 alarm movement inside. Your case looks to be gold plated (these also came in steel) so check carefully for case wear before buying.

 

Are these lugs less common? I've looked around and only seen a handful of other examples with the same lugs.

 

I agree, the lugs are less common. Check for plate wear along the edges. If you buy it, consider replacing the metal band with a soft leather strap to avoid lug damage.

 

Yes i would very much prefer replacing the metal. And I've seen other crickets with serial numbers on the case back. Is that something they started doing later or should I be worried that this example seems to lack one...

 

Based on the caseback markings in the photo above, I think your case was made by the Wadsworth Watch Case Company, a US case manufacturer. It was relatively common for Swiss manufacturers to ship bare movements and dials into the US and to have them cased locally. If your watch was sold into the US market, that would likely explain the uncommon lugs and a lack of a serial number as compared to the Swiss-cased watches more commonly seen.

 

Ahh sweet. Well it seems like it is really worth the price. Especially after the comment from @Dr.Sascha.

 

Should figure in the price of an overhaul in your calculations.

 

That's true. There could be a problem with the movement. But it is running and that's a start. Definitely a service, but I hope no overhaul.

 

Anyone else have more thoughts on this?

 

Gonna go see this one in person tomorrow. Any last minute thoughts from anyone is welcome. Will have an update soon as well on this cricket.