Vulcain Cricket Nautical: A 50-Year Journey

JOHNACONNOLLY · 2012-11-05T12:16:40Z

Explore JOHNACONNOLLY's 1962 Vulcain Cricket Nautical, detailing its service history, diving features, and personal connection to early sub-aqua exploration.

JOHNACONNOLLY

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

26 replies6182 views11 photos

JOHNACONNOLLY shares a detailed, decades-long ownership history of his Vulcain Cricket Nautical, purchased in 1962. This post offers a rare, long-term perspective on a vintage diving watch, chronicling its servicing, modifications, and the owner's personal connection to early Irish sub-aqua diving.

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Watch purchased 1962, three full services ,the first at Heywood Dublin, Ireland. Who were the Vulcain agents,horoligists in Ireland where I bought the watch . The second at Vulcain switzerland included full refurbishment of hands and face circa 1968.Changes on all hands on its return.Six week turnaround became six months.Last full service at Marvin watch repairers Hatton Garden again Vulcain agents, who on completion would not guarantee the watch waterproof ,because of lack of seals?.So here are the photos.

Key Points from the Discussion

The owner's personal history as a founding member of the Irish Sub Aqua Club in the 1950s provides crucial context for why he sought a professional diving watch like the Vulcain Cricket Nautical.
The Vulcain Cricket Nautical's dial features a non-rotating section with 'Vulcain' and '300m', while the rotational inner dial, set by the lower crown, is used for elapsed dive time, not decompression stops.
A comparison between the original 1962 Nautical and a 2007 reissue reveals striking similarities in dial design and plexi, but differences in crown decor and potential lug variations.
The owner clarifies that the camera can distort the appearance of the lugs, stating his watch has sharp-edged lugs with a distinct two-section taper, unlike later cushion-type lugs.
The watch's luminosity was renewed by Vulcain in Switzerland by painting over the old lume, resulting in slightly larger lume dots.
The owner used the watch for dive timing but relied on US Navy diving tables for decompression, reflecting the evolving equipment and 'bounce diving' practices of the 1970s.

The Discussion

amanico

Nov 5, 2012

A very very very rare bird, John. Thanks for posting it!

To say all, I am running after this watch for so many years, so, I, for one, can say how lucky you are! Best, Nicolas.

ztirual

Nov 5, 2012

Dear John, thanks for posting

Those pictures of your very nice and unique watch. i love the story of your watch and the way it has evolved with you all these years through the different service visits. Do you remember the circumstances surrounding the purchase of your watch in 1962? Why did you chose Vulcain? By design or by chance? How widely available was it at the time? Have you stumbled upon other Cricket Nauticals at the time and later on in the 60's? I'd love to hear more about your close companion for all these years.

nikolaj

Nov 6, 2012

How funny that this post turns up...

when we spoke of this very watch only the day before.. I have to admit that I had never heard of this one before you mentioned it. A watch with a lot of caracter I must say! I would love to hear John's replies to your questions. Nikolaj

JOHNACONNOLLY

Nov 7, 2012

Vulcain Cricket Nautical

Hi Ztirual,I was swimming in competition and chasing fish when I was 14 years old back in at the founding meeting of the Irish Sub Aqua Club. Which was started one year before the British S.A.C.early to mid 1950ies By the owners of a large diving shop called Hammond and Hammond in Dublin They showed the film The Silent World by Hans and Lottie Hass State of the art at the time, in their coincidence Heywood the horoligists where I bought my watch years later was across the street,.though as the

ztirual

Nov 7, 2012

What a story, John. A piece of history!

Many, many thanks for telling the circumstances that surrounded the purchase of your watch. Your are so kind sharing this story with us on this forum. Your watch encapsulates the fascinating world of diving in the early 60's and I will from now on look at my watch and treasure it thinking of you and other young intrepid divers in the Irish Sea and elsewhere... Thank you also for underlining that it was targeted at professional divers, and commanded a high price at the time, that both explained i

BDLJ

Nov 8, 2012

Is there any chance of....

...you posting any early BSAC photos? Those would be fascinating.

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