Horological Meandering

I found this statement about alarm watches in a french mag coming from an AD based in Paris. He says that there isn't a big demand for alarm watches from his customers because people don't dream about this complication even if it is an useful one. Actuall...  

...no use for them at all ; none whatsoever - Even if they go off regularly - ;-) Cheers, pplater. ...  

Some of my favorite watches, pplater, and that AP G & P Sonnerie kills me. Really a superb group you have. Best, respo

Read this And yes, I've had about 10 alarm watches and used my Breitling Aerospace to wake up from a nap today. My only objection is the marginal accuracy of the mechanical alarm watches I currently own Vulcain Cricket, Seiko Bell-Matic, Ikepod Alarm But ... 

a pleasant sound , are loud enough to wake you up from a night's sleep?

On the wrist it is not very loud, especially in a busy public area such as a restaurant. However, in an office or a hotel room, especially left on a desk or nightstand, mine is loud enough to wake me up. I have traveled with my JL Navy Seal Alarm for busi...  

and I tend to agree on the question: Why don't we see more alrm timepieces being produced? I find that this is the most useful complication available. Regards, Yves

. . . actors I especially enjoy: Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, and Charles Bronson. I respect and admire them all. It's impossible to explain, but I give a bit of an edge to McQueen over Eastwood, and an even greater edge to Eastwood over Bronson. Simila... 

I would only change Newman for Bronson and moon phase for lightning seconds but since varietas delectat .... ;) Cordially D

Perhaps because it is both so useful and yet so unnecessary considering how may times a day my phone, computer and iPad go off with various alarms and notifications. I use the alarm on my JLC TTP65 quite a bit, and it always brings a smile to my face -- t... 

...striking watches... :-). Alarm watch is interesting, but repeaters fascinate me more, as my "grail" watch... Ken

In certain cases I mean. Not just because I own a Sonata,but I think that Alarm watches made in that manner(and the Z6 by the way)are pure poetry,the crystal clear sound of an alarm with gong and hammers is a pure dream to listen to. The alarm as a featur... 

and such reminders can well be for very pleasant things. Those who prefer to sleep and associate the alarm watches with getting up early can just reverse the usage pattern and set the alarm when it is time to go to bed :D I agree with Cazalea though on th... 

During the 70's, with the Memomatic. Mine is on my watchmaker hands "forever" waiting for a part to arrive (finally I got the part). The Memomatic, in addition to the hour/minute settings for the alarm has the alarm and the watch powered by the automatic ...  

Thanks for sharing Nilo Obviously this concept implies that once an hour, it is time for the alarm to sound. This is rarely needed and I assume that you just do not wind the alarm when you dont need it to sound. But how does the alarm behave at the time o... 

The hour and the minute that the alarm goes off. The triangle marks the hour and the parallel lines the minute. Notice that, contrary to the classic Memovox style, those two concentric cycles rotates. When mine returns, I will post a review to show how it... 

Pleasing because it is interactive, you can really play with alarm. Not so many are, chronograph is another one. Other possibilities are Minute reapeater but that's another story... Personnaly this is something I am missing. Francois

I bought a NOS Girard Perregaux that has an alarm. I love it. Set it up set time and I remember to take afteroon meds, I could set my Iphonem ut prefer the alarm. I also like moonphase, find them useful tell me when to be on the lookout for werewolves LOL... 

Haven’t had much time to post lately, but this topic I feel obligated to join! The statement is probably true as the general demand is not that high. Let’s face it, not many of the big manufactures produce affordable alarm watches – why? Because the deman...  

I love alarm watches too. And you don't need to hear them necessarily in noisy environments - the vibration on the wrist is pleasurable as well. Andrew

A part of the pleasure I didn't think of when I wrote my reply - indeed a part of the PASSION! :) Best Blomman

Discussed... " But then again, the MR is not as useful as the alarm + I would have to sell all my watches and add some extra cash just to get one MR… " Selling all your Alarms to get a MR? That would be an excellent idea! Then, once you get the MR, you ha... 

Na, took me too long time already to find these... But, yes - I should sort out which to keep and which to let go to make place for some more important memovoxes! Like the Polaris 68... Best, my friend Blomman

Missing piece are the compressors? cheers PAt

MCM and the NSA are in the first pic - but you are right, not all shown in the pics. These were just examples, I still have some hidden! ;) Best Blomman

......................you need help :) Impressive alarm watches collection. Love them all. Thanks for sharing, Vte :)

It's a known fact that I need help! The problem is where to find it... Vlad is not much of help when it comes to cut down on watches...! ;) Best Blomman

you borrowed all this alarm pieces :) Awesom collection of buzzers that represents your passion as I know it Salut & Chapeau Best Damjan

From Me, myself and I ! ;) Thank you, my friend! Best Blomman

Just after reading your post, I counted how many alarm watches I have... 17 JLC, Modern and Vintage + 1 Ulysse Nardin, the Sonata. I find the Alarm to be: - A friendly complication: I use them a lot for what they were created: To remind an important phone... 

I own other complications but they are mainly for "fun" For alarm watches, they are very useful, practical, cheapest striking watch. I love JLC alarm watches. Regards Ling

representing every movement maker and all but a few date or version variations produced between 1945 and 1975, i certainly find it an intriguing and valuable complication. (I guess I owe the Purists a comprehensive post with lots of photos. ) I wear my al... 

... I am all for it! That HW is more than beautiful... it is completely unique! - Scott

always need an alarm no matter mechanical or quartz. Athough the quartz is louder but no matter. anticipating a new arrival with a mechnical just chilling at home with a quartz. cheers PAt ...  

Actually, we get here the difference between the true passionate people and the others... Fx

I humbly suggest the alarm is more exotic, and more useful, than some other complications. Regardless if some may agree(Blomman!) or not, I love it when my Jaeger Tides of Time sings to me : )

but I love it even if I am fond of poetical complication (particularly moon phases) I really like alarms too. I only wish brands put more effort into producing a better sound but I guess it all depends on the demand..